Armstrong Corporate Headquarters, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

Armstrong Corporate Headquarters, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
Located in the center of a 283 hectare (700-acre) campus in Lancaster and constructed mainly of steel and glass, Armstrong World Industries Corporate Headquarters (known also as Building 701) was originally built in 1998. It occupies 11,700 square meters (or 126,000 sq feet) and is intended for more than 200 employees. The main concern of the designers was to reduce water usage in the building. The problem was solved by installing such water-efficient mechanisms as water sensors and waterless urinals which helped to halve the annual usage of water. As the company itself is a leader in designing and production of ceilings and floors, the employees of the building enjoy perfect acoustic design, as well as comfortable working conditions. Light sensors turn on the light only if there are people in the rooms. 80% of exterior is glazed. Wind turbines produce 75% of electricity needed for the building. Two wings of the 3-storey building are connected by the atrium. The building also makes use of an erosion-control system. The building was designed by Gensler, from Boston. In 2007 the building was awarded LEED Platinum certification (64 points), in the category of Existing Buildings, for sustainability, energy and water efficiency, innovations, indoor quality and low-emissivity glazing, as well as advanced HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system.

By Astghik Atabekyan, www.building.am