< br>

FM Global
Corporate Headquarters

Johnston, RI

 

At A Glance:

• New Construction
• 366,600 s.f.
• Parking Garage: 850 cars
• $154 million
• LEED Gold Certified

 

Project Description:

FM Global, a FORTUNE 1000 company and one of the world’s largest business property insurers, commissioned Vision 3 Architects to design their world headquarters for more than 900 employees. As an insurer with a unique focus on property risk management, FM Global extended its loss prevention philosophy to all aspects to its new corporate offices – “built to last.” The building is designed and constructed to FM Global’s own engineering guidelines, and is also LEED Gold certified. It’s a high-performance “green” building that applies the latest technology to promote the health and wellness of employees and to minimize the impact on the environment. The design includes administrative offices, data center, structured parking for 850 vehicles, fitness center, restaurant quality dining center, and meeting center. The parking garage was designed in association with Walker Parking Consultants.

As part of FM Global’s corporate offices, Vision 3 Architects designed the 12,000 s.f. data center located in the west wing of the building, in collaboration with the owner’s IT consultants and vendors. This complex and sophisticated new data center was designed and built to FM Global’s highest loss prevention standards with a blend of advanced green technology. Structurally separate from the main building, the data center houses and protects the entire technology infrastructure for the business systems used by FM Global’s employees and clients worldwide. Features of the data center include: an environmental management system, non-combustible building materials, a wind-rated concrete roof, double wall construction to contain fire, as well as earthquake resiliency technology. With 85 miles of cable under the floor, dual generators, dual power feeds, and dual UPS systems, power should never be lost. The data center was completed seven months prior to the main building, and was functional during the final stages of construction.

 

Sustainable Design:

LEED Gold Certified
Among its sustainable design features:
• The new headquarters is located on a 93 acre, heavily wooded site, with significant ledge and natural wetlands throughout. During the project, construction was confined to 27 acres. The surrounding tree line in some places is no more than 40 feet from the building.
• Approximately 90% of the building has views of the natural wooded surroundings.
• More than 63% of the parking spaces on-site are in parking structures. Preferred parking is available for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles as well as for car poolers. Bike storage is available for local commuters.
• The HVAC system incorporates an ultraviolet light system in each air handler to eliminate bacteria and viruses before air is introduced to work spaces.
• 21% of the building material originates from within a 500-mile radius of the project site.
• 35% of all material was made from recycled content.
• 69.5% of all wood was FSC-certified.
• 78.5% of construction and demolition debris was recycled.
• Native grass and landscaping is low-maintenance and drought resistant.
• Four retention ponds and a filtration system capture and retain storm water, which is used for irrigation.
• A white roof reflects sunlight and reduces heat gain, while 77% of parking is under cover, further reducing heat island effect.
• Highly efficient HVAC units, lighting, motors, kitchen equipment, and other systems make the building 23.3% more energy efficient than similar buildings designed to standard energy requirements.
• The building is designed to “harvest” natural light. Light sensors automatically dim indoor lights when less illumination is required. Exterior sunshades prevent glare while interior shades automatically adjust to available sunlight.
• Low-water, dual-flush toilets and urinals use half the water of standard fixtures. Combined with low flow touchless water faucets and showers, the building uses 40.5% less water than similar buildings built to standard requirements.

Up_1