U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Head Quarters – Washington D.C.
Flooring:
CUSTOM – North American White Oak
Rift & Quarter Sawn, Select Grade
Species: Quercus Alba
FSC® Mix Credit
Prefinished with Matte Polyurethane
Tongue & Groove, Endmatched, Microbeveled Edges and Ends
Engineered: 5/8” thick (4mm wear layer) X 6” wide X 2′-10’
Awards:
2023 NAIOP Award of Merit for Best Sustainable Project
2023 ASID Honors – FOCUS Wellness – Large Firm Merit Recipient
2023 District of Columbia AIA Citation for Resources (AIA DC Chapter)
2023 Premiere Design Awards, Finalist-Design with Purpose (IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter)
Sustainability:
LEED ID+C v4.1 Platinum
WELL v2 Platinum
TRUE net zero Waste
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) headquartered in Washington D.C. has achieved an esteemed triple Platinum certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE), and WELL. This triple certification underscores USGBC’s dedication to fostering healthy, productive, sustainable, and responsible workplaces. The redesign illustrates how renovations can be both cost-effective and environmentally conscious. USGBC’s goal was to create a hybrid work environment that catered to various types of work styles. With several conference rooms, a podcast studio, public collaboration areas, and unassigned desks, the office fosters a conducive, adaptable, and healthy work environment for its staff. Centered on biophilic elements, the design incorporates reSAWN’s North American White Oak flooring to harmonize with the office’s natural lighting and living plant walls. Incorporating natural elements within an urban environment improves air quality, provides a sense of connection to the natural world, and improves mood and cognitive function. This approach enhances the overall well-being of employees, both physically and mentally.
USGBC is a non-profit organization that promotes sustainability in building design, construction, and operation. Its most notable contribution is the development of the LEED green building rating systems, that offers a structured approach to creating environmentally conscious and energy-efficient structures. LEED certification is widely recognized and used as a standard for green building practices worldwide.
Implementing real wood flooring in commercial offices combines timeless aesthetics with practical benefits. The inherent beauty of wood creates a sophisticated ambiance, while its durability ensures resilience in high foot traffic areas. Its smooth surface makes maintenance easy and fosters a hygienic environment. Furthermore, real wood’s natural insulation properties enhance energy efficiency, reducing monthly operational costs.
North American White Oak by reSAWN TIMBER co. showcases an elegant grain pattern available for both rift & quarter flooring and wall cladding applications. Rift & quarter sawn lumber is produced by first cutting the log into quarters and then making alternating cuts that are perpendicular to the annual growth rings. Quarter sawing produces boards with mostly vertical grain and distinctive markings often referred to as “flecks”, “flakes” or “ray flecks” caused by the medullary rays of the log.
Project Needs: The USGBC aimed to downsize its headquarters and convert it into a hybrid work environment. The organization sought products that seamlessly blend nature with design.
Project Solutions: Perkins and Will reached out to reSAWN TIMBER co. to specify our CUSTOM FSC-Certified North American White Oak flooring. The client wanted a sustainable material that was clear grade and rift & quarter.
Project Results: The clients were satisfied with the flooring product as it helped appeal to the office’s biophilic design. The project stands out as a source of inspiration for effectively repurposing materials, minimizing new construction, and reducing carbon emissions.
Perkins and Will is an international architecture and design firm with a prominent presence in architecture, interior design, and planning. They are known for their commitment to sustainable and environmentally conscious design, as well as their focus on creating spaces that positively impact the well-being of occupants.
Halkin | Mason Photography is a Philadelphia-based architectural photography practice led by partners Barry Halkin and Todd Mason. They have collaborated with renowned architects on various projects throughout the United States and internationally.
