The new headquarters of International Fund for Animal Welfare has been completed recently with all sustainable strategies implemented in it. DesignLAB modeled and designed this 54,000 square foot structure situated in Yarmouthport, Massachusetts.
This building has also been awarded by U.S Green Building Council – LEED Gold Rating.

The IFAW’s goal and mission is ‘to provide a better world for people and animals’.
This new office facilitates open communication, collaboration and interaction for the people and also it is environmental friendly.

Once a polluted brownfield, it was reclaimed with great effort by DesignLAB and they revitalized it. They achieved the natural habitat by removing contaminants and planted many shrubs, trees, plants and grasses. They also implemented rain water absorbing garden, bio swales, and other permeable landscaping systems to absorb rainwater runoff.

The other water conservation systems implemented inside the building were dual flush toilets, low flow faucets, and a state-of-the-art technology septic system that treats the waste waters. The building used recycled material for its construction like FSC certified wood and recycled structural steel. The high performance glass windows and curtain allows only sufficient amount of light and heat into the building and creates a microclimate inside the building.

The employees of IFAW were put into design workshops that helped to maximize their effectiveness to this environment. The final plan they come up with was to reduce 50% of per person used square footage work space and to increase the collaborative workspace. The workshop also helped the employees to maintain the work space properly and to reduce the use of energy and water as individuals. The proper ventilation system provided fresh air to move in and out of the building freely.

American Institute of Architects recently chose this Headquarters of IFAW as one of the Top Ten Green Building for 2009.

Source: inhabitat.com, AIA Top ten 2009