Recognized for its Commitment to Environmental Responsibility for New Corporate Headquarters, Built to Meet Gold Level LEED Standards
February 19, 2008, Woodstock, IL -- Other World Computing (OWC), a leading Mac and PC technology company, announced today that IDG'S Computerworld Magazine, the "Voice of IT Management," has selected Other World Computing (OWC) as one of the "Top Green-IT Companies for 2008" in its February 18, 2008 issue and online at Computerworld.com. Computerworld identified companies that are implementing smart, efficient strategies to achieve "Green IT," including reduction of energy consumption and lowering of carbon emissions.
OWC was honored because of its newly constructed corporate headquarters building (opening on February 22, 2008), designed according to Gold Level specifications of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Program. LEED is a nationally accepted voluntary building certification program that defines high-performance green buildings, which are more environmentally responsible, healthier, and conservation-minded structures. The new OWC headquarters is on track to be certified at the Gold LEED Level. In addition, the project's intent is to achieve the highest and most rarely awarded status of Platinum.
The new OWC headquarters will feature Green design elements and materials: water savings; materials selection; recycling and conservation; indoor environmental quality; and energy efficiency. When all energy conservation elements are factored in, the new, much larger 37,000 square-foot building is expected to consume less energy resources than OWC's present 10,000 square-foot building.
Other World Computing's Corporate Headquarters building Green Features:
* Geo Thermal Ground-Coupled Heat Pump System with an anticipated 50% energy efficiency rating over conventional natural gas based systems.
* Fiber optic rooftop light-harvesting technology to augment office lighting with natural light.
* High insulation value glass windows and exterior sunshade technology to reduce energy needed for cooling.
* High insulation value materials throughout the building to reduce energy use.
*"Smart" building technology, including sensors to detect and adjust for unused rooms.
* Limestone substrate and permeable paving for environmentally friendly run-off water handling.
* Use of Bio Swales in landscaping to promote water conservation.
* Use of native plants and prairie grasses to maximize water conservation.
* Long-term, ongoing conservation practices, including extensive recycling, low-impact cleaning products, and facilities for employees to commute to work by bicycle.
* Water conservation via waterless urinals and dual-mode toilets.
* Energy/paper savings through use of high-efficiency hand driers that actually work.
* Energy/environmental savings through installed water filtration system, eliminating the need for delivered water and reducing staff bottled water usage by providing better than bottled water quality tap water.
"Being able to do the right thing with this building and have a state of the art facility where all of our team can be proud and take this company to its next steps was quite an opportunity," said OWC CEO Larry O'Connor. "Being recognized for our efforts by Computerworld is very gratifying."
"Being 'green' is not just saying you're conscious about the environment and its challenges," said Don Tennant, Editorial Director, Computerworld. "In today's business world, it's about efficiency, power consumption and applying those green principles to smart business decision making. The companies recognized in our first Top Green-IT Computing issue have taken a serious look at how they impact the environment and how they can address those challenges with good business sense."
