PALADIN CASE STUDY: Ecofibre U.S. Headquarters

ECOFIBRE U.S. HEADQUARTERS G EO R G ETO W N, KY

Whole Building Commissioning Sustainability Consulting

Photovoltaics contribute to a 47% energy cost reduction.

T H E N AT I O N ’ S F I R S T L E E D v 4 P L AT I N U M WAREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER ii

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

A timeline, product displays, daylighting, and clean room views on tour.

in industrial hemp, and its U.S. headquarters is as sustainable as its highperformance products.

Rainwater collection and hemp garden greet visitors.

COMMISSIONING • SUSTAINABILITY

The wallpaper is printed using Hemp Black™ ink, featuring a design inspired by the intricate microscopic cell structure of the hemp plant.

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ECOFIBRE US HEADQUARTERS

Building enclosure commissioning performed by Paladin.

Preservation of open space is a bumper crop.

Daylighting and collaboration brightly displayed.

Paladin’s integrated design approach is the key to their success in delivering energy-efficient, waterefficient, and overall sustainable buildings. Paladin helped us become a model for sustainability.

— ERIC WANG, Ecofibre Managing Director

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.

Exterior fixture selections allow for safety without contributing to light pollution.

Ecofibre product display and clean room viewing windows.

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ECOFIBRE US HEADQUARTERS

Transparent clean room is food grade caliber.

Hemp BlackTM materials are incorporated into furnishings and finishes.

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.

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

3) Ensuring a fully operational facility.

COMMISSIONING • SUSTAINABILITY

THE WORK The project’s sustainability goals guided every aspect of system design and construction, emphasizing collaboration and coordination to meet quality standards, budget constraints, and schedule milestones.

The program included a 30,000 sq.ft. warehouse and order fulfillment area, clean rooms for product manufacturing, and office spaces.

Designed as a symbol of transparency and sustainability, the building allows key lawmakers, industry leaders, clients, and stakeholders to tour the facility and observe Ecofibre’s entire process— from order intake to shipping.

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ECOFIBRE US HEADQUARTERS

Abundant daylighting.

COMMISSIONINGPROJECT • SUSTAINABILITY | SERVICES

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ECOFIBRE US HEADQUARTERS

Hemp BlackTM pyrolysis equipment.

The commissioning scope included true Whole Building Commissioning including the building enclosure, MEP systems, renewable systems, rainwater collection, and a year of monitoringbased commissioning.

Hands-on participation from design through operations refined goals, verified strategies, and ensured a smooth transition to building operations.

A key focus was integrating all building systems into a unified interface with an operations dashboard.

30,000 sf warehouse and fulfillment center.

COMMISSIONING • SUSTAINABILITY

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.

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KEY STATISTICS

Ecofibre’s tours serve as a powerful marketing tool, offering industry leaders and legislators an inside look at the growing hemp industry.

By showcasing the production process and potential applications, these tours promote transparency and support efforts to advance and advocate for hemp’s development.

COMMISSIONING • SUSTAINABILITY

ABOUT US

We coined Game changer in building systems because of our solid commitment to your building’s potential. Founded in 1986, Paladin is a woman-owned business that harnessed our engineering roots to deliver strategic commissioning, sustainability, and directto-owner engineering services for new and existing facilities.

TM

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

As paladins, we support your project, defend your goals, and champion your building’s success.

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We are committed to reducing carbon emissions in every project by more than 10% through operational improvements, embodied carbon awareness, and properly operating systems.

CERTIFICATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS/ASSOCIATIONS

PROJECT | SERVICES

859.252.3047 paladinengineers.com info@paladin-inc.net 121 Old Lafayette Ave | Lexington, KY 40502