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News Release from: Gensler | Subject: Hearsts new green headquarters
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 November 2006
Hearsts new green headquarters opens in
Manhattan
Gensler celebrates wide-ranging role in tower development including collaboration on progressive workplace design.
The Hearst Tower, New York City's first occupied "green" office building, has been officially opened The new headquarters building consolidates 2,000 of Hearst's employees in one location-the culmination of a strategic master plan by Gensler begun in 2000
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 28 Jul 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Gensler also served as Associate Architect for interiors in close collaboration with Foster and Partners, the building's designer, and as the Interior Designer of the Fitness Center among other roles.
"From the beginning, Hearst set out to create a superior workplace for its employees," said Joseph Brancato, Managing Director in Gensler's New York office.
"Not only is the Hearst Tower a beautiful addition to the City's skyline, but as an office space, it is one of the healthiest, most enviable environments for workers in New York City".
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"It has been very gratifying to participate in its development".
The Hearst Tower's progressive interior design reflects convergent sustainable and workplace strategy goals.
Floor to ceiling windows flood the office areas with natural light, with deep penetration into the open plan office areas maximized by transparent office and meeting room fronts, low workstation partitions, and limited use of interior walls.
Recent studies have demonstrated the important positive effects of natural light on worker health, quality of life, and productivity.
To help fulfill its sustainable mandate and to further ensure a healthy workplace environment, Gensler defined the "green" strategies for the interiors and selected and specified furniture, finishes, and carpeting that are made from recycled content, sustainably harvested materials, or are low in toxicity.
The Tower, the first occupied commercial building in New York City to be recognized by the USGBC for high environmental performance both on its exterior and interior fit-out and systems, received a "Gold" Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating on September 22, 2006.
Steve Winter and Associates provided consultation for the LEED application process.
Designed to encourage communication throughout the workforce, the workplace layout co-locates editorial and publishing groups.
Collaboration within groups is enhanced by abundant meeting spaces of various sizes and types on each floor.
To further team work and a sense of community, prime space such as the building's corners and its eastern perimeter are dedicated as 'public' areas.
"Employees have been unbelievably enthusiastic about their new office space," said Brian Schwagerl, Director of Corporate Real Estate and Facilities Planning at Hearst.
"They're effusive about the natural light and the quality of the air, and there's greater contact, interaction, and idea-sharing within the company".
"It's no exaggeration to say that staff at all levels feel energized working in the new Tower".
To identify correlations between the workplace design and its impact on employee and company performance, Hearst will conduct a post-occupancy study by the end of the year in conjunction with Gensler.
The interior workplace design included collaboration among Gensler, Foster and Partners, and the furniture manufacturer, Steelcase to design furniture systems customized for its largely female workforce.
The workstations and office systems have special features such roll-away visitor seating and as mirrored lockers and cubby spaces for personal items.
Gensler was also responsible for the design of the light and view-filled Fitness Center, located on the 14th floor and recreated the Good Housekeeping Research Institute's Dining Room, a Federalist-style formal room in exacting detail-the only element of the old building besides the faandccedil;ade of the Joseph Urban-designed landmark to endure in its original form.
Gensler's consulting practice assisted Hearst with the employee transition process from its twelve different locations to the Tower with an internal communications program as well.
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