Case Study 3

Photo courtesy of Guardian; Photo credit: Vos Glass

Project: Gordon Food Service Headquarters

Location: Wyoming, MI

Challenge: Energy performance, daylighting, and uninhibited views were critical components of the new headquarters for Gordon Food Service (GFS), one of the largest family-operated food distributors in North America. The 386,000-square-foot headquarters building is located on a 50-acre campus in Wyoming, Michigan, just outside of Grand Rapids.

Criteria: The project required a high-performance glass that allowed ample daylighting without creating excessive glare, all while maintaining a comfortable environment for the employees. “The glass selection for the GFS project was one of the most important, and ultimately most discussed, decisions made on the project,” said Scott Vyn, LEED AP, director of design, Integrated Architecture, and lead architect on the project. “The desire to see both into and out of the building had to be balanced with thermal performance and issues of glare in the workspace.” Daylighting was also a key criteria with the intent to create a perimeter where it could serve as the only lighting source during working hours.

Solution: The sleek and modern steel, concrete and glass building reflects the latest in sustainable design, complete with oversized windows around the building so every workspace has a view out while natural daylight comes flowing in. The project’s 55,000 square feet of facade was specified by the architects using a neutral-colored light gray glass with 49 percent visible light transmission and maximized energy savings, all contributing to the building’s sustainable design. Interior glass also helps pull daylighting further into the building. “Interior glass is used throughout the building to visually link core business activities,” says Vyn. “The test/demonstration kitchen and interior stair wells as well as large and small conference rooms each utilize window walls to create appropriate levels of transparency, security, and privacy.”

Results: This sustainable facility was built primarily with Michigan-made products and includes a number of energy-efficient features, including floor air distribution, LED lighting, and harnessing renewable resources from geothermal heat to rainwater, and with natural light throughout the building.