Seventh Generation Receives Gold Certification

Seventh Generation, a marketer of natural and environmentally friendly products, announced that the first phase of its new Burlington, Vermont office interior has been awarded LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The LEED program recognizes buildings that meet specific criteria in six broad categories related to sustainable design: Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation and Design, and Sustainable Sites. Maclay Architects, a Vermont-based firm that specializes in green architectural design, worked with a team of Seventh Generation employees to lead the interior redesign process. Development of the company's 19,000 square foot phase one headquarters began with an extensive design process that involved every employee and assured that the final result would reflect the firm's strong environmental values.

Every aspect of construction was examined and "green" alternatives and options were selected wherever possible. These include the use of local wood products from sustainably managed forests; recycled insulation and workstation materials; toxic fume-free, recycled fiber carpeting; volatile organic compound-free paints and sealants; energy- and water-efficient fixtures and natural daylighting strategies; integrated composting and recycling services; and other elements.

"The new Seventh Generation headquarters is an exemplary model of sustainable design, going far beyond LEED requirements in terms of materials selection," said Bill Maclay, president of Maclay Architects. "This is where we need to head with workplace design to lead the world with creativity and inspiration for future generations."