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The goal of LinkenIn and Gensler was to synthesize the best of the emerging workplace strategies from across the globe into LinkedIn’s new workplace strategy. What resulted was a complete redesign of the Omaha headquarters as the first purpose-built location for LinkedIn’s future of work.
Passionate about driving sustainability and health within its office spaces, LinkedIn’s stated goals were to reduce its carbon footprint by 55% and to achieve Zero Waste certification by 2030. A space that promotes employee health and purpose needs to visibly convey and reflect that mission. To meet that challenge, sustainable solutions are experienced throughout the headquarters — some are visible, others are not.
LinkedIn challenged us to minimize the use of new wood on the project. In response, we reclaimed 50,000 square feet of wood for use in the project, which accounted for 52% of the wood used, overall. The remaining wood — 460,000 square feet of it — was certified by the Forest Stewardship council. This set the standard for all LinkedIn’s new builds.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be most often found in interiors products and expose building occupants to high pollution that has negative health impacts in both the short- and long-term. In fact, concentrations of VOCs are much higher indoors — sometimes 10 time higher — than outdoors. To promote better health outcomes, we built the space using only furniture, paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, ceilings, flooring, and composite wood that have little to no VOC content and emissions.
Renewable energy sources account for 38.4% of the building’s power for the LinkedIn headquarters. Additionally, we built an on-site solar photovoltaics array with solar canopies over the parking lot, which generate an extra 13.1% of solar energy. We incorporated onsite energy storage — the first of its kind at LinkedIn. To encourage electric vehicles, we also installed EV charging for 2% of LinkedIn’s parking spaces.
To promote sustainability awareness, LinkedIn chose to display LEED educational signage throughout the space. Including information on topics ranging from recycling to energy use, 48 plaques are placed at strategic points in the building to empower employees with sustainability knowledge and provide a sense of pride in where they work.
To promote movement and socialization, Gensler designed a prominent center stairwell with bright colors and motivational messaging to encourage employees to take the stairs. They also created new wellness and fitness centers, along with a roof deck to provide outdoor spaces to work, meet, or socialize with colleagues, or just enjoy the fresh air.
PROJECTED OUTCOMES
LEED Gold Certified
Fitwel 2 Star Certified
52% of project wood was reclaimed on recycled substrates; the rest is FSC Certified
38.4% of the building’s power comes from renewable energy sources, with an additional 13.1% from on-site solar photovoltaics array
100% of furniture, paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, ceiling, flooring, and composite wood have no or very low VOC contents and emissions
24% energy reduction through building features such as light, sensors, high-performance mechanical systems, and all-electric kitchen
Gensler is a global design and architecture firm headquartered in San Francisco, California.
It is the largest architecture firm in the world by revenue and number of architects
Interior architect: Gensler
Year: 2022
Surface: 18600 m²
Client: LinkedIn
Location: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Photography: Jason O’Rear