About Us

The Foundation’s workplace was designated a LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification—the highest level attainable—as established by USGBC and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The LEED-CI rating system articulates standards for high-performance green interiors with a reduced environmental footprint, decreased costs for operations and maintenance, and a working environment that is healthy and productive. The project represents the eleventh in California to be awarded the Platinum designation for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI).

Ken Moore, the Foundation’s Director of Evaluation & Technology explained, “the success of this building project and its LEED certification derives from a strong partnership with the architects at HPS, the team at Blach, and LEED experts. Working collaboratively, we fulfilled key sustainability and efficiency requirements while creating a space that truly manifests innovation, an ideal that has always been important to our founders.”

The Foundation’s LEED Platinum certification derives from a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:

• Existing building reuse reduced the carbon foot print of the project by extending the usable life of what was an existing market rate building and enhancing its performance.
• Resource demand reduction measures resulted in a construction waste diversion rate of more than 96%, a regionally manufactured material total of 40.6% including all of the new conference tables and casework, and a 72.9% total of all wood based products being Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. In addition, new and refurbished restroom cores resulted in 37.4% water demand reduction.
• Energy demand reduction measures include: A cool roof, window film, window shades, lighting controls, light harvesting, occupancy sensor operated emergency lighting in the stairwells, a new high efficiency boiler, Energy Star® appliances and equipment, enhanced commissioning, and ongoing measurement and verification measures.
• Indoor environmental quality has been improved by providing access to natural light and views to everyone in the building, careful selection of materials and adhesives, increased ventilation, and the implementation of green cleaning protocols.
• A simple palette of natural materials helps orient and ground the space. Bamboo and cork are used in place of wood for flooring and bamboo and Kirei (sorghum straw) board are used for casework. Plaster, recycled content carpet tile, no- and low-VOC paints, FSC wood, reclaimed timber, locally harvested wood from urban forestry sources, cotton insulation, and recycled glass tile are also part of the project.
• Alternative transportation options are supported by bus stops connecting the site to the community and local train station, a well utilized employee incentive program for carpooling and use of public transportation, and the use of video conferencing to reduce travel miles.
• Flexibility for shifting program staffing requirements is built into the design so that the project fits the Foundation’s needs now and will continue to do so as it grows and changes over time.