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Johnson Controls Corporate Headquarters

Johnson Controls’ headquarters campus - Largest concentration of LEED^® Platinum buildings

At a Glance

• 77% — Reduction in city water usage as a result of multiple water conservation technologies and practices.
• 29% — Reduction in winter heating costs, compared to natural gas boilers, as a result of deploying geothermal heat pumps throughout the campus.
• 1.1 million pounds — Annual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of utilizing on-site renewable solar energy generation.

The challenge: Create a headquarters campus with the goal of becoming the world’s first multi-building LEED Platinum-certified campus

Since its founding in 1885, Johnson Controls has been committed to helping customers create efficient, safe, and sustainable buildings and facilities. What better way to demonstrate that commitment, and the value and benefits of making buildings energy-efficient, environmentally friendly and sustainable, than by doing the same for its own headquarters? And, in doing so, show that it is possible to realize economic, social, and environmental benefits – that is, the triple bottom line?

The solution: Mobilize the full scope of expertise and capabilities that Johnson Controls brings to bear on customer projects and make use of every available green technology

Given the scope and complexity of the project, meticulous planning, and coordination were necessary from the outset. The entire project team was involved up front to map out what needed to happen and when. Using sophisticated 3-D modeling software, the team honed design and construction specifications in a way that enhanced the accuracy, timeliness, and cost efficiency of each step of the project. The team implemented a broad range of technologies and solutions to promote corporate energy conservation and save water and other natural resources, while minimizing the carbon footprint, and maximizing sustainability on the campus. Those solutions included:

• one of Wisconsin’s largest arrays of solar photovoltaic panels capable of generating up to 250 kilowatts of electricity on site.
• solar thermal systems that supply more than 30 percent of the hot water for two campus buildings.
• geothermal heat pumps that utilize the constant temperature of the Earth to help heat and cool buildings.
• high-efficiency skylights and windows to day-light interior spaces.
• a 30,000-gallon rooftop cistern to capture rainwater for re-use for water closets and urinals.
• low-flow fixtures and dual-flush toilets to reduce water usage.
• security systems that safeguard buildings and occupants in a highly energy-efficient manner.
• the Metasys^® building management system that controls and integrates all key electrical and mechanical systems throughout buildings on campus for maximum comfort, efficiency and safety.

The Glendale, Wisconsin campus promotes efficiency and sustainability in a number of other ways. For example, parking areas include stalls for plug-and-drive electric vehicles, and the company uses green cleaning and landscaping services.

To help make the goals of this project a reality, Johnson Controls hired local minority- and women-owned suppliers well in excess of original diversity goals.

Johnson Controls broke ground for the Glendale campus in 2007, and the collective efforts of all concerned came to fruition with its grand opening in the fall of 2009. For these efforts, the U.S. Green Building Council conferred its highest recognition – LEED Platinum certification – on the campus in September 2010. The Glendale campus represents the largest concentration of LEED Platinum buildings – four – ever awarded on one site.

Results and benefits

The company’s energy usage has been reduced by 21 percent, despite the recent doubling of space by adding 160,000 square feet. Annual greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by more than 827,000 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent due to the on-site solar electricity generation. Water usage has been reduced by 595,000 gallons annually by collecting and recycling rain water and through the addition of low-flow fixtures.

The company expects to recoup its spend on making the campus energy-efficient within eight years.

Learn more

Johnson Controls can help you reduce energy usage with your own corporate real estate strategy. Contact us to learn more about how we can make your building work more efficiently, sustainably and profitably, or try our building efficiency and energy savings calculator today.