National Grid New England Corporate Headquarters

As a part of its strategy to maximize organizational synergies and efficiencies, National Grid decided to create a new headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts. The project was an opportunity to demonstrate their tag line, "The power of action." National Grid engaged Sasaki to design a facility that would inspire their residential and commercial customers to take action to become more carbon neutral. The new headquarters furthermore demonstrates that radical sustainability can be integrated into collaborative, comfortable office space without breaking the bank. Sasaki first assisted with building analysis and selection and worked with National Grid to incorporate sustainable technologies to achieve LEED for Corporate Interiors Platinum. The design consolidates previously dispersed corporate functions into a single building and incorporates flexible space standards that support teamwork, encourage interaction, and reduce square footage per person by over 50%. The 312,000-square-foot light-filled office incorporates innovative strategies to conserve energy and natural resources.

The team sought to provide a work space that is healthy and comfortable for employees while keeping them connected to the outdoors. The design maximizes views and natural daylight. The new office also provides significant opportunities for employees to relax, socialize, and come together in cafes dispersed throughout the office, a central coffee shop, a cafeteria, and a fitness center. The space also improves productivity by giving employees easy access to one another. Where previous offices had a preponderance of high panels and walls that blocked lines of sight, the Waltham space is extremely open, with 97% of employees in open plan workstations with low 42-inch panels. A sound masking system ensures acoustical privacy without sacrificing visual connection. Additional spaces support teamwork, meeting, and video conferencing. A universal, modular approach to space standards saves a significant amount of money on reconfiguration. If more modules are eventually needed, construction will be simple and minimal.

An innovative, task-oriented lighting solution significantly reduces energy use while providing optimal lighting levels. The result is a lighting power density of .65 watts per square foot, which is 41% below code. National Grid added photovoltaic panels and exterior sunshades to the base building and also upgraded its mechanical systems and the building envelope to further reduce energy consumption. Additional sustainable features include furniture and materials with high recycled content and extremely low VOCs, and a grey water system which reduces potable water usage by 66% over Massachusetts's Building Code.

National Grid takes its green leadership to the next level in its commitment to educate employees, clients, customers and communities on sustainable design. The company has offered numerous tours of the facility and incorporated a touch-screen dashboard into the lobby so that visitors can track the building's performance. Sasaki created graphics and educational stations throughout the building that highlight the sustainability strategies. The project has met National Grid's goal to educate its staff and to advise visitors and customers on practical solutions that they can implement in their own spaces.