“Grundfos has manufacturing that already existed in Brookshire. We decided that we wanted to be near this location for customer visits, the market for available technical skills and proximity to educational institutions,” explained Michael Franzen, senior regional manager for facilities and machining at Grundfos Global Water Utility Headquarters. The 45,000-square-foot facility houses more than 100 employees working in sales, operations, engineering, HR, finance and other support functions.
“From the beginning, we wanted the design to be a culmination of Danish architecture and Texas style. Sleek, modern and simplistic,” Franzen continued. “The initial design was developed by Grundfos architects who then collaborated with the selected general contractor. The design was based on our needs, values and sustainability initiatives.”
Harvey Builders served as the project’s contractor collaborating with architectural firm PGAL and acoustic engineer SLR Consulting. The entire workspace features Rockfon’s advanced acoustic ceiling systems installed by AECO Interior Contractors to meet the project’s aesthetic, performance and sustainability goals. Demonstrating its commitment to sustainability at a global and local level, Grundfos is pursuing LEED® Platinum certification for its new regional center, the highest available building certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.
In addition to manufacturing energy- and water-efficient pumping solutions, Grundfos enthusiastically supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (U.N. SDGs). Rockfon is part of the ROCKWOOL Group. Like Grundfos, ROCKWOOL is headquartered in Denmark and shares a commitment to the U.N. SDGs.
Grundfos, Rockwool/Rockfon and SLR also join with companies worldwide in leading the zero-carbon transition by setting emissions reduction targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Science-based targets provide companies with a clearly defined path to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement goals.
Following LEED criteria, buildings can reduce carbon emissions, energy use, water consumption and landfill waste. Aspiring to earn LEED Platinum certification for Grundfos Global Water Utility Headquarters in Brookshire, locally sourced and environmentally responsible building materials were verified for the building’s construction and interior build-out.
PGAL’s design team specified Rockfon Sonar® acoustic stone wool ceiling panels and Rockfon® Chicago Metallic® 1200 15/16-inch ceiling suspension system, along with Rockfon® Module System. Helping architects, building owners and tenants make informed decisions about their material ingredients, Rockfon offers health product declarations (HPDs) and UL-certified environmental product declarations (EPDs).
Low-emitting products also are recognized by LEED as contributing to healthy indoor air quality. Rockfon’s complete portfolio of stone wool products are UL® Environment’s GREENGUARD® Gold certified for low-VOC emitting materials in offices, as well as schools.
Sustainability and acoustical performance objectives were top priorities for Grundfos Global Water Utility Headquarters, shared by PGAL, SLR and Rockfon. Bass explained, “Platinum certification was Grundfos’ edict and a contract parameter. The acoustical performance was one of those many unnegotiable credits that had to be met.”
SLR Consulting’s project engineer, Nick Block, PE Acoustics, LEED AP, assisted PGAL with performance-based ceiling product selections. To produce an optimal acoustic experience that complied with LEED acoustic requirements, the final design combined sound-absorbing stone wool ceiling systems with an NRC of 0.95, sound-insulating full-height walls with the correct sound transmission class (STC) rating and appropriate background noise levels.
“Acoustics were a key consideration, because of the open concept and design,” said Franzen. “We ended up with large open areas that don’t feel or sound acoustically empty,” confirmed Franzen.
The bright white Rockfon Sonar ceiling panels in Grundfos Global Water Utility Headquarters reflect 85 percent of light from their surface. “The lighting and reflectance values of all finish surfaces was another critical aspect of design with LEED lighting quality and daylight credits,” said Bass. “These were also non-negotiable credits to achieve and the reflective quality of the smooth white panels was a critical component, especially to offset the darker non-reflective floor finishes.”
Along with supporting energy-efficient lighting, the white ceilings’ neat, clean appearance also highlights the desired, contemporary architectural style. “Grundfos’ own Danish architect and engineers drove the design and aesthetic choices,” said Bass.
Creating visual continuity and uniformity throughout the office’s open floor plan, PGAL chose large-format panels with a fully concealed edge design. The close-fitting edges of the panels minimize the visible grid in favor of a monolithic feel.
As an industry leader, Grundfos’ investment in quality, sustainable materials and products supports a long-lasting, attractive, comfortable and productive workplace for its employees in Brookshire, Texas.
We provide customers with a complete acoustic ceiling system offering, combining sound absorbing ceiling tiles and specialty metal panels with suspension grid systems and accessories.
