PALADIN: Ecofibre U.S. Headquarters

ECOFIBRE

U.S. HEADQUARTERS

Georgetown, Kentucky

Whole Building Commissioning Sustainability Administration

Paladin’s integrated design approach is the key to their success in delivering energy-efficient, water-efficient, overall sustainable buildings through variety of green building rating Paladin helped us become a model sustainability.

— ERIC WANG, Ecofibre Managing Director

approach delivering water-efficient, and through a systems. model for Director

opposite page: Photovoltaics contribute to the company’s 47% energy cost reduction

above: Daylighting and collaboration brightly displayed

top right: 30,000 sf warehouse and fulfillment center

bottom right: Ecofibre’s facility is a marketing tool

ECOFIBRE U.S. HEADQUARTERS

Georgetown, KY

As demand for consumer goods grows, so does the need for a sustainable solution to the planet’s dwindling raw resources. Ecofibre is an innovator in industrial hemp, and its U.S. headquarters is as sustainable as its high-performance products.

THE PROJECT

Paladin’s services included Whole Building Commissioning and LEED Administration for Ecofibre’s 50,000 sq. ft. facility containing a combination of office, manufacturing, and warehousing spaces.

The team’s objectives included 1) ensuring LEED Platinum certification to demonstrate Ecofibre’s fundamental commitment to producing sustainable products; 2) shaping the facility as a marketing tool; and 3) ensuring a fully operational facility.

The landmark product for the US headquarters is Hemp Black TM , a hemp derivative with antimicrobial and antiviral properties that can be added to anything; currently in use in textiles, furniture, and flooring.

opposite: Wallpaper is printed with Hemp BlackTM ink of the plant’s microscopic cell structure

top: A timeline, product displays, daylighting, and clean room views on tour center: Rainwater collection, hemp garden, photovoltaics greet visitors

bottom: Hemp BlackTM pyrolysis equipment

top left: Daylighting evident even at night at the international headquarters

top right: The facility as a marketing tool

center: Ecofibre product display and clean room viewing windows

bottom: Transparent clean room is food grade caliber

THE WORK

The project’s sustainability target drove each aspect of system design and construction requiring collaboration and coordination to meet quality, cost, and schedule milestones. The project program included a 30,000 sq. ft. warehouse and order fulfillment area, clean rooms for product manufacturing, and office areas supporting leadership, sales, and customer service functions. The building was also designed to be a symbol of transparency and sustainability with key lawmakers, industry leaders, clients, and stakeholders able to tour the entire facility and see all elements of Ecofibre’s process from order taking to order shipping.

The commissioning scope included true Whole Building Commissioning encompassing the Building Enclosure, MEP Systems, Renewable Systems, Rainwater Collection and one year of Monitoring-Based Commissioning. Hands-on design through operations phase participation honed goals, verified strategies, and transitioned the building to operations. Particular emphasis was placed on controls strategies to integrate all elements of the building operations into one interface with operations dashboard.

THE IMPACT

Ecofibre’s HQ is certified LEED Platinum under LEED WDCv4, the first for any warehouse and distribution facility in the United States.

The facility is a model of sustainability featuring an outdoor hemp garden, transparent manufacturing clean rooms, daylighting, rainwater collection systems, geothermal HVAC, and photovoltaic panels. Key statistics include:

top: Abundant daylighting

center left: Building enclosure commissioning

center right: Preservation of open space is a bumper crop bottom left: Shared lounge encourages community

bottom right: Hemp BlackTM materials are incorporated into furnishings and finishes

As a marketing tool, Ecofibre’s tours provide transparency into this burgeoning industry and its product production to industry leaders and legislators as they advocate for developing and promoting hemp and its potential.

ABOUT PALADIN

We

FIRM PROFILE

Paladin coined Game changers in building systems TM because of our commitment to your building’s potential. Founded in 1986, we built upon engineering roots and

COMMISSIONING

COMMISSIONING

Commissioning supports your specific project outcomes of energy performance, operational stability, risk reduction, and operating cost containment. Our capabilities encompass the entire built environment where we work to ensure seamless performance. When challenges present themselves, we partner with the team to achieve your project goals.

Commissioning supports your specific project outcomes of energy performance, operational stability, risk reduction, and operating cost containment. Our capabilities encompass the entire built environment where we work to ensure seamless performance. When challenges present themselves, we partner with you to achieve your project goals.

SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES

SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES

the strategy and ensure implementation so we meet those goals in a straight-forward, creative, and earth-improving way. To date, we have 100% success with our sustainability consulting. While that’s not a guarantee, it is an indication of how we work to bring about the best outcomes for you.

DIRECT-TO-OWNER ENGINEERING

As your technical guide through the leading sustainable rating systems (LEED, WELL, Green Globes, Carbon Neutral Design, etc.), we support you and your project team to reach the levels of sustainability you desire. We help unlock why sustainable design is important to your project, then develop the strategy and ensure implementation so we meet those goals in a straight-forward, creative, and earth-improving way. To date, we have 100% success with our sustainability consulting. While that’s not a guarantee, it is an indication of how we work to bring about the best outcomes for you.

As your technical guide through the leading sustainable rating systems (LEED, WELL, Green Globes, Carbon Neutral Design, etc.), we support you and your project team to reach the levels of sustainability you desire. We help unlock why sustainable design is important to your project, then develop

Our difference is a team that tells you the truth with good intent allowing you to leave status quo behind. We check our egos at the door and focus on your building’s working as intended. We are paladins— supporters of your project, defenders of your goals, and champions for your building’s success.

DIRECT-TO-OWNER ENGINEERING

We work in existing buildings and on process improvements to address aging infrastructure, identify energy conservation measures, and solve operational deficiencies. We recognize these projects are hard to fund, and carefully create design solution to match your budget.

We work in existing buildings and on process improvements to address aging infrastructure, identify energy conservation measures, and solve operational deficiencies. We recognize these projects are hard to fund, and carefully create design solution to match your budget.

coined Game changers in building systems

TM because of our solid commitment to your building’s potential.

Founded in 1986, we built upon engineering roots and now deliver strategic commissioning, sustainability services, and direct-to-owner engineering for new and existing facilities.

Our difference is a team that tells you the truth with good intent allowing you to leave status quo behind .

We check egos at the door and focus on making your building work as intended.

We are paladins — supporters of your project, defenders of your goals, and champions for your building’s success.