La-Z-Boy HQ Awarded LEED Silver Certification

MONROE, Mich.-La-Z-Boy Inc.’s new world headquarters has earned Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The 200,000-square-foot facility, based here, was completed in March and includes the latest sustainability and energy efficiency standards, including a three-story glassed-in lobby with an oak savannah view and natural lighting. The building occupies about 40 of the headquarter’s 120 acres; the remaining 80 acres—which include an endangered oak savanna ecosystem—remain untouched as a nature preserve.

“We are honored that our new world headquarters is viewed as an innovative building project that is helping drive the green building movement,” said Kurt Darrow, chairman, president and CEO of La-Z-Boy Inc. “Acting with integrity and being socially responsible are key to our core vision and values, and we carry our corporate responsibility not only through our world headquarters, but through our manufacturing facilities across the country.”

The building, designed and constructed by Rudolph/Libbe Inc., achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in sustainable site development, water conservation, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Some of the notable features include exterior aluminum screens on the entry façade to filter light before it reaches the glass; programmable solar shades on all windows controlled by sun sensors on the roof; many energy-efficient data center features, including the first U.S.-manufactured Kyoto air handling units; a geothermal system with 252 wells that lay 400 feet underground through bedrock; equipment, lights and security systems that can be adjusted by facilities management using mobile devices; and energy-efficient LED lighting throughout.

“Buildings are a prime example of how human systems integrate with natural systems,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “The La-Z-Boy World Headquarters project efficiently uses our natural resources and makes an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will tremendously benefit future generations.”