November 12, 2009 -
Rhode Island
The nation's leading wholesaler of natural and organic foods, United Natural Foods Inc. chose to relocate their corporate headquarters to the Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse's American Locomotive Works site. The 53,000 s/f headquarters was designed by Durkee, Brown, Viveiros & Werenfels Architects.
The new facility was constructed within two existing historic industrial buildings with an internal connection to accommodate 157 employees with expansion opportunity for an additional 90 people. The program includes executive private offices and open workstation environments; executive boardrooms and employee training rooms; marketing and design studios and extensive IT areas.
To reflect the leading role within their industry the project will be a minimum LEED Silver certified project that will include a photo-voltaic array of solar panel on the roof. Other sustainable features include extensive use of daylighting, energy efficient lighting and mechanical systems and low flow water fixtures throughout. All materials were selected based on the criteria that they must have low percentages of VOC and high recycled content.
Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse is the developer/contractor. The structural engineer is Odeh Engineers; the M/E/P/FP engineer is AHA Consulting Engineers and the custom exhibitor was Blue Hive.