Rhiza's Green Office Space

Greener Office = Healthier Employees

At Rhiza, we employ green features that not only help the environment, but also provide a better and healthier work place for our employees. The initiatives we have undertaken do not end with the office space, but also extend into our community and our employees’ practices.

How Did We Do It?

Our LEED Certified space was constructed from recycled materials and rapidly renewable resources, many of which were produced within 500 miles, thus reducing the amount of fossil fuel needed to transport them. In addition, energy efficiency results from our heating and air conditioning system that, at a reduced amount of energy, supplies more fresh air to the space than in a typical office building. Our space also has large windows that provide daylight to perimeter areas, reducing our need for artificial lighting. Not only are the fresh air and natural lighting cost and energy efficient, they also contribute to a more pleasant work environment.

Rhiza is located at the Southside Works, which combines residential, office, retail, and entertainment functions into a dense, walkable lifestyle center that is ideal for our company. With many walking and biking trails, as well as public buses connecting the Southside Works to the rest of Pittsburgh, there are a variety of transportation alternatives. Also, company-designed programs such as RhizaBike and RhizaBus give our employees more resources to help them take full advantage of alternatives to driving.

We are not only members of our community, but also leaders, taking charge of many green initiatives. Rhiza has established a recycling program within our office space and has reached out to other tenants of our building to create similar programs. Further, we have worked to ensure green housekeeping practices so that only non-toxic, non-flammable, and biodegradable cleansers are used within the space. We believe that the features and practices employed in this space are important, and we work to educate employees and visitors on the merit of these initiatives.

Responsible Land Use

The entire South Side Works project is built on a former abandoned steel mill site, encouraging smart land reuse. This 34-acre development was master planned as a lifestyle center to combine many complementary functions and amenities, such as residential, office, retail and entertainment in order to create a dense, walkable community.

Alternative Transportation

Nearly all parking at South Side Works is in structured garages, preventing unnecessary sprawl and paving. Preferential carpool spaces have been designated for Rhiza in nearby garages. Nearby walking and bicycling trails and public buses provide easy access to the South Side, Station Square, Oakland, and Downtown. Covered bicycle racks near the office and showers within the Rhiza space offer a convenient transportation alternative and an opportunity for commuting or exercise.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation

The Rhiza space was designed with energy conservation in mind. The heating and air conditioning system provides better thermal comfort while exceeding stringent requirements for energy efficiency. The system was then examined by an outside agent through a commissioning process to ensure intended performance. All new appliances purchased are Energy Star compliant, and all reused appliances will eventually be replaced with Energy Star rated equipment. Combined, the energy-saving measures will decrease energy use by 18% over typical office building usage.

Building Materials

Construction materials can typically produce large amounts of waste headed for the landfill. At Rhiza, special measures were taken to ensure that all recyclable materials, such as metal, cardboard and drywall, among others, were separated and delivered to materials processors. Where possible, materials containing recycled content were used, such as carpet, drywall, and steel. Materials produced within 500 miles were given preference to reduce fossil fuel usage during transportation. Lastly, materials made from rapidly renewable resources, such as wheat and grass fibers, were specified for cabinets and casework, ceiling tiles, and countertops.

Ventilation

The ventilation system, in addition to being energy-efficient, also provides more fresh air to the space than typical building standards. To do this, carbon dioxide sensors are employed to detect when more air is needed. Smoking is prohibited in or near the space, and the system underwent a two-week flush-out to expunge dust and fumes. Clean air has been linked to greater comfort and acuity.

Healthy Finishes

Finishes used in the RHIZA space, such as sealants, glues, paints, coatings, and carpet, are considered to be low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These finishes help the space maintain cleaner, fresher air with lower amounts of chemicals and allergens. In particular, the fiberboard and casework made with waste straw used through the spaces contains a binder free of urea-formaldehyde, a common air pollutant.

Lighting and Views

The lighting of the space is improved by several strategies. Large windows provide daylighting to perimeter areas and views to the outdoors from in the space. Automatic shutoffs keep lights on only when areas are being occupied. Occupants are able to control the lighting in their personal environments through light controls and task lighting.

Green Operations

Rhiza is committed to high environmental standards by “greening” its operational practices. This includes establishing a recycling program for not only the Rhiza space, but for the entire building as well. Green housekeeping practices will be adopted to ensure the use of cleansers that are non-toxic, non-flammable, and biodegradable. Rhiza will educate its employees and visitors about the merits of the sustainable features and practices employed in the space.

LEED Certification

RHIZA’s space is registered with and will eventually receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification under the LEED Commercial Interiors program. Authored by the US Green Building Council, the LEED rating system provides third-party certification that a project has been designed and built in a comprehensively ecological manner, resulting in a lesser environmental footprint and healthier interiors than conventional projects.