Client News: Grundfos and Rockfon align in achieving the Global Water Utility Headquarters' LEED Platinum criteria

A global leader in water technology based in Bjerringbro, Denmark, Grundfos is committed to pioneering solutions to the world's water and climate challenges, and improving the quality of life for people. The new Grundfos Global Water Utility Headquarters, located in Brookshire, Texas, approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston.

"Grundfos has manufacturing that already existed in Brookshire. We decided that we wanted to be near this location for customer visits, the market for available technical skills and proximity to educational institutions," explained Michael Franzen, senior regional manager for facilities and machining at Grundfos Global Water Utility Headquarters. The 45,000-square-foot facility houses more than 100 employees working in sales, operations, engineering, HR, finance and other support functions.

"From the beginning, we wanted the design to be a culmination of Danish architecture and Texas style. Sleek, modern and simplistic," Franzen continued. "The initial design was developed by Grundfos architects who then collaborated with the selected general contractor. The design was based on our needs, values and sustainability initiatives."

Harvey Builders served as the project's contractor collaborating with architectural firm PGAL and acoustic engineer SLR Consulting. The entire workspace features Rockfon's advanced acoustic ceiling systems installed by AECO Interior Contractors to meet the project's aesthetic, performance and sustainability goals. Demonstrating its commitment to sustainability at a global and local level, Grundfos is pursuing LEED® Platinum certification for its new regional center, the highest available building certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.

Aligned Values, Shared Vision
In addition to manufacturing energy- and water-efficient pumping solutions, Grundfos enthusiastically supports the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (U.N. SDGs). Rockfon is part of the ROCKWOOL Group. Like Grundfos, ROCKWOOL is headquartered in Denmark and shares a commitment to the U.N. SDGs.

Grundfos, Rockwool/Rockfon and SLR also join with companies worldwide in leading the zero-carbon transition by setting emissions reduction targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Science-based targets provide companies with a clearly defined path to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement goals.

Achieving LEED Platinum
Following LEED criteria, buildings can reduce carbon emissions, energy use, water consumption and landfill waste. Aspiring to earn LEED Platinum certification for Grundfos Global Water Utility Headquarters in Brookshire, locally sourced and environmentally responsible building materials were verified for the building's construction and interior build-out.

PGAL's design team specified Rockfon Sonar® acoustic stone wool ceiling panels and Rockfon® Chicago Metallic® 1200 15/16-inch ceiling suspension system, along with Rockfon® Module System. Helping architects, building owners and tenants make informed decisions about their material ingredients, Rockfon offers health product declarations (HPDs) and UL-certified environmental product declarations (EPDs).

Low-emitting products also are recognized by LEED as contributing to healthy indoor air quality. Rockfon's complete portfolio of stone wool products are UL® Environment's GREENGUARD® Gold certified for low-VOC emitting materials in offices, as well as schools.

Optimized Acoustics and Well-Being
Sustainability and acoustical performance objectives were top priorities for Grundfos Global Water Utility Headquarters, shared by PGAL, SLR and Rockfon. Bass explained, "Platinum certification was Grundfos' edict and a contract parameter. The acoustical performance was one of those many unnegotiable credits that had to be met."

SLR Consulting's project engineer, Nick Block, PE Acoustics, LEED AP, assisted PGAL with performance-based ceiling product selections. To produce an optimal acoustic experience that complied with LEED acoustic requirements, the final design combined sound-absorbing stone wool ceiling systems with an NRC of 0.95, sound-insulating full-height walls with the correct sound transmission class (STC) rating and appropriate background noise levels.

"Acoustics were a key consideration, because of the open concept and design," said Franzen. "We ended up with large open areas that don't feel or sound acoustically empty," confirmed Franzen.

Daylight and Danish Design
The bright white Rockfon Sonar ceiling panels in Grundfos Global Water Utility Headquarters reflect 85 percent of light from their surface. "The lighting and reflectance values of all finish surfaces was another critical aspect of design with LEED lighting quality and daylight credits," said Bass. "These were also non-negotiable credits to achieve and the reflective quality of the smooth white panels was a critical component, especially to offset the darker non-reflective floor finishes."

Along with supporting energy-efficient lighting, the white ceilings' neat, clean appearance also highlights the desired, contemporary architectural style. "Grundfos' own Danish architect and engineers drove the design and aesthetic choices," said Bass.

Creating visual continuity and uniformity throughout the office's open floor plan, PGAL chose large-format panels with a fully concealed edge design. The close-fitting edges of the panels minimize the visible grid in favor of a monolithic feel.

As an industry leader, Grundfos' investment in quality, sustainable materials and products supports a long-lasting, attractive, comfortable and productive workplace for its employees in Brookshire, Texas.

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Grundfos Global Water Utility Headquarters, 902 Koomey Road, Brookshire, TX 77423
• Owner: Grundfos Pumps Corporation, GRUNDFOS Holding A/S; Bjerringbro, Denmark; https://www.grundfos.com
• Architect: PGAL; Houston; https://www.pgal.com
• Acoustic engineer: SLR Consulting; Houston; https://www.slrconsulting.com
• Design-build contractor: Harvey Builders; Houston; https://www.harveycleary.com/about-us/locations/houston
• Ceiling systems – installing contractor: AECO Interior Contractors, Texas branch of Acousti Engineering Company of Florida; Houston; https://acousti.com/locations/houston
• Ceiling systems – manufacturer: Rockfon; Chicago; https://www.rockfon.com
• Photos by: G. Lyon Photography, Inc.

About Rockfon
Rockfon is part of the ROCKWOOL Group and is offering advanced acoustic ceilings and wall solutions to create beautiful, comfortable spaces.

At the ROCKWOOL Group, we are committed to enriching the lives of everyone who experiences our product solutions. Our expertise is perfectly suited to tackle many of today's biggest sustainability and development challenges, from energy consumption and noise pollution to fire resilience, water scarcity and flooding. Our range of products reflects the diversity of the world's needs, while supporting our stakeholders in reducing their own carbon footprint.

Stone wool is a versatile material and forms the basis of all our businesses. With approximately 11,500 passionate colleagues in 39 countries, we are the world leader in stone wool solutions, from building insulation to acoustic ceilings, external cladding systems to horticultural solutions, engineered fibers for industrial use to insulation for the process industry, and marine and offshore.

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