HOLLAND, MI - Haworth Inc. recently announced that its Pune, India showroom has achieved LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification for Commercial Interiors (CI) from the U.S. Green Building Council. This marks the second Haworth building in India to receive LEED-CI Gold honors.
The 7,880-square-foot facility earned high marks in key LEED environmental categories including water efficiency, sustainable sites, and innovation and design. In particular, the building has reduced potable water use by more than 40 percent from a calculated baseline design—a major consideration in Pune's seasonably dry climate. The showroom also earned a LEED innovation credit for its waste water collection system, which is reused for irrigation on site.
"Our Pune showroom LEED certification confirms that our commitment to sustainability is universal yet tailored to each specific site," notes Franco Bianchi, Haworth president and CEO. "It is important for us to serve our customers effectively in this part of the world, yet we need to do so with as light an environmental footprint as possible. Pune shows we are dedicated to ‘walking the talk' in North America and beyond."
Haworth is committed to building according to LEED standards at the gold level or higher for its showrooms and business offices, at the silver level and above for its manufacturing facilities, and/or to the applicable local green building standard worldwide.
Haworth's Pune facility includes a manufacturing plant as well as the showroom. Although not registered for LEED certification, the plant's design and construction reflect green building principles related to energy efficiency and improved air quality. The building features abundant natural light through the extensive use of skylights.
The entire 50,000-square-foot showroom and manufacturing facility utilizes green power through Haworth's purchase of renewable energy credits. The company also provides a bus system that transports 66 percent of its employees to and from work. Bike racks and changing rooms are available for those who prefer "personal pedal power."
"During the site's construction phase, Haworth worked with India-based architects, designers and building contractors," explains Mitch Boucher, Haworth project manager. "We used regionally sourced materials and diverted 95 percent of our construction waste from landfill. The Gold LEED certification we were able to achieve for this project honors our Pune employees and everyone associated with this effort."
A major industrial center of 4.5 million people, Pune is located in Southwest Central India—approximately 93 miles southeast of Mumbai, formerly Bombay. Pune is home to numerous software and IT companies as well as a growing automotive industry that is earning it a reputation as "the Detroit of India."
Haworth presently is renovating its Holland, MI corporate headquarters to LEED-NC (New Construction) Gold specifications. Haworth showrooms in Chicago and Los Angeles are LEED-CI Gold certified, while company showrooms in Dallas, Washington, D.C., New York and Toronto are LEED-CI registered.
Haworth Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of office furniture and adaptable workspaces, including raised access floors, moveable walls, systems furniture, seating, storage and wood casegoods. Family-owned and privately held, Haworth is headquartered in Holland, MI, and serves markets in more than 120 countries though a global network of 600 dealers. Visit www.haworth.com to learn more.
