Green Office = Healthier Employees, Healthier World
Rhiza Labs emphasizes sustainability as a measure of support for our environment and our employees’ comfort and health. Our initiatives begin with our LEED-certified office space itself, continue through our day-to-day business practices, and extend far into the community.
How Did We Do It„
Sustainable Building Materials
Construction materials typically produce large amounts of waste headed for the landfill. When building our office, we took special measures to ensure that building contractors separated recyclable materials, such as metal, cardboard and drywall and delivered them to materials processors. We emphasized the use of materials containing recycled content, including our office’s carpet, drywall, and structural steel. Construction emphasized materials produced within 500 miles to reduce the fossil fuels consumed and carbon emitted in transporting them. Our cabinets, casework, ceiling tiles, and countertops are all made of rapidly-renewable resources, such as wheat and grass fibers.
Energy-Efficient Utilities
In addition to being energy-efficient, Rhiza’s ventilation system provides more fresh air to our space than typical building standards, which has been linked to better health and greater acuity. To do this, carbon dioxide sensors detect overly-high concentrations of CO2, and activate a system that pumps fresh air into the building to reduce them.
All new appliances purchased are ENERGY STAR® compliant, and all reused appliances will eventually be replaced with ENERGY STAR-rated equipment. Combined, these energy-saving measures will decrease energy use by 18% over typical office building usage.
Healthy Finishes
All finishes used in Rhiza’s space, including sealants, glues, paints, coatings, and carpet, are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These finishes help to maintain cleaner, fresher air with lower amounts of chemicals and allergens. Our fiberboard and cabinets are made of waste straw and are free of urea-formaldehyde, a common air pollutant found in office and domestic furniture.
Lighting and Views
The design of Rhiza’s space contributes to its energy efficiency and its employees’ productivity. Large windows provide abundant natural life and scenic views of Pittsburgh’s Oakland skyline. The result is less need for artificial lights, which increases employees’ comfort and reduces energy consumption. Our office’s artificial lights automatically dim when rooms are not in use, further reducing energy consumption.
Sustainable Business Practices
Rhiza has established a recycling program within our office, and has reached out to other tenants of our building to create similar programs. Further, we employ housekeeping practices so that only non-toxic, non-flammable, and biodegradable cleansers are used within our office.
Responsible Land Use
The entire Southside Works site is built on a former abandoned steel mill site that serves as a striking example of smart growth through urban infill. This 34-acre development, master-planned as a lifestyle center, combines many complementary functions and amenities including residential, office, retail and entertainment venues that create a dense, walkable community.
Alternative Transportation
Nearly all parking at Southside Works is in structured garages, preventing unnecessary sprawl and surface paving while encouraging a pedestrian-friendly environment. Preferential carpool spaces are 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 and exercise.
LEED Certification
Rhiza’s space is certified under the LEED Commercial Interiors program. Authored by the U.S. 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 smaller environmental footprint and healthier interiors than conventional projects.
