San Francisco Green Office Space
As communities around the world grow more environmentally conscious, the San Francisco Bay Area continues to be at the forefront of that evolution.
Consistent with our firm’s values of citizenship and leadership, O’Melveny is committed to being an environmentally conscious law firm. We put that commitment into action through our
Green Office Initiative, a firmwide effort to reduce O’Melveny’s carbon footprint.
As part of that initiative, when our
San Francisco office needed more space, we decided to go green. Our new office space, which opened in September 2008, is currently expected, by our calculations, to achieve silver certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED
®) program for commercial interiors. The LEED Green Building rating system is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Once certified, O’Melveny will be one of the first law firms to achieve LEED certification for refurbished space in an existing building.
O’Melveny’s San Francisco office not only reflects the Firm’s environmental consciousness, but also provides for the overall well-being of our people. Our beautiful new space is designed to fit our present needs while providing lasting benefits to the environment and to our community.
Key Facts
The new San Francisco office includes building design elements that reduce environmental impact, promote water and energy efficiency, increase the overall indoor environmental quality, and use sustainable materials, furniture and building techniques. The result is a sophisticated, attractive, and environmentally responsible space our San Francisco office is proud to call home.
Sustainable Materials
- Furniture made from recycled materials
- Wood for furniture certified by the Forest Stewardship Council under its principles and criteria for sustainable forest management
- Terrazzo floors and countertops made from recycled materials
- Carpeting made from low-emitting materials to increase indoor air quality
- Reused ancillary furniture where possible
- Low-emission paints, sealants, and other materials
Sustainability and Well-Being Features
- Glass walls on exterior offices that allow more light to penetrate the center of the building
- Three wellness/nursing mothers' rooms for employees
- Bicycle storage on-site
- Shower access
- Easy access to public transportation
- Green cleaning techniques and products
Construction Phase
- Close to 80% of the construction waste diverted from landfills
- Increased ventilation
- Nontoxic and low-emission materials
- Dust containment through use of cutting booths
Water and Energy Efficiency
- High-efficiency water fixtures, including faucets and toilets that reduce water usage by at least 40% compared to conventional fixtures
- Energy-saving lighting such as new fluorescent light technology and revolutionary LED task lighting that is 80% more efficient than traditional lighting
- Efficient HVAC systems
- ENERGY STAR-compliant office equipment and appliances
Indoor Environment Quality
- Increased ventilation for enhanced indoor air quality
- Increased transmission of natural light to interior space
- Nontoxic and low-emission materials used in construction and fixtures