Nearly one year ago, Land O’Lakes, Inc. completed construction on Building C at our Arden Hills headquarters. In partnership with architecture firm Perkins+Will, we worked to construct a highly efficient building while remaining cost conscious.
We are excited to announce that Building C scored 84 out of 111 points on LEED’s performance credit system, earning a Platinum certification. (You can view the scorecard, including categories and points awarded, here.)
“As a company that is working to help feed a growing global population with fewer resources, it made sense to consider sustainability in the construction of our new building,” says Marcia Droege, director, Real Estate & Facilities. “The goal of achieving LEED-platinum certification aligns with the sustainable initiatives at Land O’Lakes.”
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building, community and home project types, LEED provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement.
Fun fact #1: Building C is the 6th LEED-Platinum corporate office project in the state of Minnesota.
‘Everything you do matters’
In summer 2018, landscaping crews planted Minnesota native plants as part of our sustainability efforts that include drought resistant trees, rain water catch basins for irrigation, storm water in-ground filtration system in the parking lots, and energy efficient mechanical systems that include building automation system and lighting.
Fun fact #2: Six of our harvest meeting tables (which employees use for impromptu brainstorming sessions) were created from the trees that were removed as part of our North parking lot expansion.
“Everything you do matters,” says Marcia. “And we did the best we could to repurpose furniture and equipment, including making harvest tables from the trees that were cut down.”
The LEED-platinum certification wouldn’t have been possible without support from executive leaders as well as Marcia’s team and our partnerships with Perkins+Will.
“The Executive Leadership Team understood the importance of making the certification a priority,” says Marcia. “And Perkins+Will were terrific partners in helping us achieve that goal.”
Land O’Lakes, Inc. Building C joins the ranks of other LEED-platinum certified buildings in Minnesota including the Gustavus Adolphus Academic Building in St. Peter, the St. Olaf Science Complex in Northfield and Marquette Plaza in downtown Minneapolis.