A recent Urban Land story about green offices completed in the last five years features one of the latest Park 20|20 features; here’s an excerpt…
Since the economic downturn hit in 2008, the pace of office building construction has slowed considerably, which translates to fewer new buildings that exemplify cutting-edge sustainable design. But while many companies have been pursuing renovations or energy retrofits, others have consolidated offices or accommodated growth with highly energy-efficient and resource-conserving work environments.
All completed in the past five years, the following ten projects (listed alphabetically) incorporate sustainable elements to an unusual degree and spearhead creative strategies, giving glimpses of the office buildings of the future. Some occupy office parks dedicated to showcasing green design; some use plants to treat wastewater on site; and some target zero net energy use. ….
Fox Vakanties Headquarters: Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
Developer Delta Development Group is creating Park 20|20, a 1.23 million-square-foot (114,000 sq m) business park adjacent to Schiphol Airport that follows the principles of the Cradle-to-Cradle philosophy, modeled after the regenerative cycles of nature. Charlottesville, Virginia–based William McDonough + Partners, the park’s master planner, with the Hague-based architect of record KOW designed the headquarters of internet travel booking organization Fox Vakanties within the park. Completed this year, the 39,590-square-foot (3,768 sq m) structure achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating.
A sculptural fabric skin wraps a theater, which glows at night when lit from within. The office component angles outward to shade the interiors, and an atrium skylight brings daylight into the building’s core. Park 20|20 connects to the region via rail, bus, and bicycle routes.
Read the full article at this link.
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William McDonough + Partners is the architecture and community design practice founded by William McDonough; he is also active with Cradle to Cradle consulting through MBDC and provides CEO and governmental advising through McDonough Advisors.