Federal Home Loan Bank
Topeka, KS
Category: 2018 Environmental Achievement
Gold Winner Environmental Achievement
Architect: HOK
Designer: Schwerdt Contract Interiors
Starnet Member:
Image Flooring LLC
Starnet Preferred Vendors:
Antron, ARDEX, Armstrong Flooring, Bentley, J+J Flooring, Mannington Commercial Carpet, MAPEI, Roppe, Tarkett Collection Hard Surfaces, TEC
Project Strategy
The new corporate headquarters for Federal Home Loan Bank in Topeka, KS has been designed to provide greater operational efficiencies and an optimal work environment for employees in a LEED Gold certified facility. Located on a prominent hilltop overlooking the Capital City and across the Kansas Prairie, this new 96,000sf building connects with its natural surroundings and history of the region.
Environmental Achievement Strategy
Clad in limestone from Onega, Kansas, the design of the building incorporates large windows framing the panoramic views of the landscape. Natural light to filters deep within the office interior over a field of Bentley carpet tiles. These products have both pre and post-consumer recycled content, and are constructed of durable Antron fibers which help to sustain the longevity of the carpet. In addition, the Nexstep cushion backing, a cradle to cradle Gold Certified product that complies with Certification for NSF/ANSI 140, will extend the life of the carpet which is used in the open office, corridors and private offices. This contributes to LEED MR4, EQ4.1 adn EQ4.3. A linear plank modular carpet tile from Mannington Commercial, adds to the ambiance of the employee breakroom. This product also contains Pre-Consumer Recycled Content and has an NSF/ANSI 140 Gold Certification. It also uses Antron Fiber and contributes to LEED EQ4.1 and 4.3.
J+J Incognito walk-off modular tiles have been installed within each entry vestibule. The organic patterning and natural colors complement the overall design. This product has an NSF/ANSI 140 Gold Certification, contains 36.45% pre-consumer Recycled Content.
An Armstrong BioBased Tile (BBT), called Striations, was specified for the buildings internal support areas. This environmentally friendly product uses 40% pre-consumer recycled materials. Its certification attributes include: Low-Emitting Material, Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and Plant Quality. The sustainability performance of this product achieves TVOC Range, Low Emitting Adhesives, Acoustics, Biobased/ Rapidly Renewable, Material Ingredients and Recycled Content. Contributing to LEED EQ 4.1, 4.3, MR 4.0, and 6.0.
Health and wellness is a key factor in the design approach of this building. The new Fitness Center uses Roppe TuffFlex flooring tiles with recycled rubber, contributing to LEED MR4.1 and MR4.2 for recycled content and post-industrial materials. It also contributes to LEED EQ 4.1 and EQ4.3 The corridor which leads employees to the Fitness Center is finished with a J+J Kinetex flooring product. This material is adhesive free and platinum certified NSF/ ANSI 140. Kinetex is 100 percent recyclable, contains more than 55% post-consumer recycled content, and 16% of the total weight is made from recycl3ed PET (commonly sourced from plastic beverage containers).
The flooring selections have played a large part into the success of the LEED Gold Certification of this building, which is now a proud new landmark building in Topeka and the home of over 220 employees.