July 2012 - Companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook are known for technological innovation, but their offices' architecture has until recently been unremarkable, and more oriented toward promoting a state of extended adolescence (pool tables, slides, bars, etc.) than responsibility. That has changed in the past few years. Executives, employees, and localities (California's CalGreen building standards already get new buildings close to LEED certification) are all much savvier. Only a handful of buildings in Silicon Valley were LEED certified in 2006; that number has jumped to over 100 today.
Broadly speaking, high-tech companies seem genuinely interested in minimizing their environmental impact, but sustainable design also makes good marketing and business sense. Green strategies save money in the long run, improve employee health and productivity, and even help attract new talent. Besides, how could a company claiming to be on the edge of technological advancement create a building that is anything but technologically advanced? "People are really starting to understand the idea of triple bottom line: people, profit, and planet," says Mike Foster, cochair of USGBC's Silicon Valley branch.
The most widely anticipated new tech headquarters (and the most mysterious) is Apple's, in Cupertino, designed by Foster + Partners. While derided by many for its insular nature, it will nonetheless become a model of sustainability in many ways. The ring-shaped building, whose expansive glazing will admit ample daylight, will incorporate large green spaces—facilitated by moving parking underground—increasing the site's permeable surface. Technical details are still under wraps, but according to documents filed with the city of Cupertino, "a significant amount" of energy for the building will be generated on-site from renewable resources. read more>>>
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