Nordic Naturals' award-winning headquarters. According to Joar Opheim, Nordic Naturals Founder and CEO, “Visitors are surprised to see that most of the flooring is cork. Cork oak bark can be harvested up to 20 times during its lifetime and is extremely resistant to heat, sound, and wear, making it an ideal green building material. Employees have commented on enjoying a nicer work environment and increased productivity due to improved lighting, sound, air circulation, and a noticeable absence of chemicals used in typical construction.”
To watch a special video of the inauguration of the new LEED certified building, see http://www.nordicnaturals.com/en/Education/YouTube_Presentations/507.
Some of the building highlights include: skylights and localized radiant heat in warehouse; gym/workout/shower area with recycled rubber flooring; manually operated folding partitions and flexible lighting controls to divide conference rooms into smaller areas; water purification systems in kitchens and coffee bars; bathroom wall and floor tile made from 40% recycled material without solvents in their glazes; bicycle parking; landscaping that uses 55% less water; 44% water savings from low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads; electrical energy use reduction by 31%; recycled material use throughout the structure accounts for almost 26% of the total material costs; local products and regional materials at 32% of the total material costs; reduction of indoor contaminants; and no PVCs, VOCs, formaldehyde or heavy metals in wall coverings. At each step, Nordic Naturals partnered with green builders and designers to incorporate products that conserve resources and improve health.
Nordic Naturals’ builder Ausonio Inc., a design & construction company in Castroville, won a prestigious Tilt-Up Achievement Award for the new headquarters. The project management and interior design was completed by Vivian Gunnerengen with Interior Lighting and Design of Santa Cruz.
