Kohler Believing In Better Blog: Kohler India Technical Center Becomes LEED-Gold Certified

We believe a work environment that’s good for the earth can be equally as good for the soul…   The Kohler India Technical Center (ITC) in Pune was created to provide a more spacious, sustainable workplace for associates outgrowing the old technical facility. This new area – a build-out of a floor in an existing office building – recently became LEED-Gold certified for commercial interiors.   But Mother Earth isn’t the only one reaping the benefits; we’re feeling pretty good ourselves.   The first thing associate Sameer Bondre happily noticed upon moving his workspace into the ITC was its simultaneous lack of lighting and abundance of light (seems like an oxymoron, we know). But the natural light coming in from big windows and the incorporation of LED fixtures mean lighting power is 35 percent below the recommended baseline of 1.0 watts per square foot (that’s a good thing). The baseline, by the way, is set by ASHRAE, a global society advocating sustainable technology in the built environment.   Allow us to shed some of this (natural) light on a few of the ITC’s other sustainable accomplishments:

• 88 PERCENT (3.38 tons) of construction waste diverted from landfills (thanks, recycling!)
• Reduced water consumption 44 PERCENT below the Environmental Protection Agency’s baseline
• 27 PERCENT of all materials extracted and manufactured within 500 miles of the building
• ZERO use of CFC-based refrigerants – what’s commonly called “Freon” – in heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems (scientists have concluded that those refrigerants deplete the ozone layer)

So let’s sum this up. Natural light + views of Magarpatta City + more space + LEED-certification = improved mood, productivity and sustainable habits among associates.   “I can see a marked difference in the attitudes of my coworkers,” Bondre said. “The mood they are in nowadays is very refreshing and ready to accept challenges. I can say that a lot of it can be contributed to the new office building because of the positive vibe it emits.”   In our opinion, the more LEED-certified spaces, the better. There’s room for all of us on the medal stand.   Read more about Believing In Better here.     Contact                                                  

Mirjam Lippuner                                           

mirjam.lippuner@kohler.com                          

920-457-4441, ext. 71125