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 Coast Company Promotes "Building Green" - WLOX, Steve Phillips, Jan. 4, 2007

"We were trying to create a building that captured the essence of 'green' architecture and sustainable architecture," said Mark Lishen, a partner in Guild-Hardy Architects.

His firm's new headquarters is aesthetically pleasing. More importantly, it's energy efficient. Large windows let in lots of light.

"That allows us to keep the main lights off, and allow us to work with just the indirect light that comes through the windows on the north side of the building in the main studio," Lishen explained.

Energy saving flourescents complement the natural light. A super efficient heating and AC system keeps the building comfortable, with the help of a really big ceiling fan.

"Allows this building to operate at a 30 percent lower level than most buildings that are built of this size," he said.

Wooden floors are environmentally friendly. Bamboo can be harvested more frequently than traditional timbers. Desk panels and cabinets appear edible.

"Sunflower seeds," Lishen said with a smile.

That's right. Compressed sunflower seeds replace more familiar wood.

Outside the building, concrete was used for the parking lot, rather than asphalt, because concrete reflects the sun and keeps the whole area just a few degrees cooler.

Drought resistent landscaping eliminates the need for irrigation, car pool vehicles get preferential parking and there's even a parking lot plug-in for hybrid cars.

Lishen says such attention to detail will allow the building to meet the stringent standards of a program called LEED <http://www.gharchitects.net/profile/leed.htm> , which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

The firm will use its own building to educate others who may be thinking of going green.

"Education is the key. And we think we have a pretty good tool here to work with," said the architect.