Eco-Heaven

Shaklee Corporation: Pleasanton, California

by Diana Anderson

Eight years ago, the Shaklee Corporation, a maker of eco-friendly nutritional supplements and cleaning, filtration and skin-care products, moved 45 miles northwest from a San Francisco high-rise to a 28-acre campus in Pleasanton, California. The company clearly practices what it preaches: Its $75 million headquarters is about as environmentally sound as possible, designed to approach a zero net environmental impact.

Some features:

• “Lightshelves” on the south exterior reflect light into the interior and shade the main building.

• Motion sensors turn equipment and lighting on and off to reduce energy costs.

• Much of the office furniture is made of sustainable wood. All wood veneer in walls, doors and furniture was harvested from certified, well-managed forests, and wall surfaces were painted with low-VOC, soy-based paint.

• Workplaces are built on raised floors; air conditioning and heating come from below. Under-floor air distribution provides energy efficiency as well as improving indoor air quality.

• A soccer field, basketball court and herbal garden reside on-site.

• In the event of a fire, fans at the top of each stairwell push hot air down into the exhaust system to evacuate oxygen.

• Some of the floors are crafted of pressed fiber-board.

• The carpet is made of recycled materials — each square is placed individually and can be removed if necessary. Carpet squares are made of 32 percent post-industrial waste and 19 percent post-consumer waste. Green living, indeed.