Twenty years ago, we set out to prove that sustainable design could work in practice. Today, the building continues to demonstrate that the best buildings aren't finished when they open—they evolve, improve, and adapt over time.
— Members of the Darien Office Sustainability Team
A Living Laboratory for Continuous Improvement
Since achieving LEED certification, our Darien office has continued to evolve as a living laboratory for innovation and sustainability. Over the years, the building has served as a testing ground for new technologies and strategies aimed at improving occupant health, wellness, and environmental performance.
Examples include a solar collector system that uses fiber-optic cables to transport daylight to basement light fixtures, air quality monitoring systems, and the installation of Bipolar Ionization (BPI) technology within the mechanical system to enhance indoor air quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. While these improvements are largely invisible to visitors, they have contributed meaningfully to the building’s ongoing performance.
More recently, an 81.9 kW photovoltaic array was installed on the roof, significantly expanding the building’s renewable energy capabilities. Aside from the energy dashboard located in the lobby, most visitors would never know it exists. These upgrades reflect a philosophy that sustainability is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing pursuit of improvement.
The site itself has also evolved. The surrounding landscape consists of a natural prairie designated as a Monarch Waystation by The Conservation Foundation. An employee-managed beehive, community garden, and birdhouses designed by interns further support biodiversity, engage staff, and strengthen the health of the local ecosystem.
Even the office furnishings demonstrate a commitment to resource conservation. The systems furniture was purchased used when the building was first constructed and has been reconfigured, modified, and recently refurbished to extend its useful life—an uncommon accomplishment in today’s workplace environments.
Stormwater Management’s Lasting Impact
Among the building’s many sustainable features, the stormwater management system stands out as one of its most impactful innovations.
A network of bioswales integrated into the parking lot, natural prairie plantings surrounding the building, and a vegetated detention basin behind the facility work together to capture and treat the majority of rainfall that falls on the site. While these features are often appreciated for their natural beauty and contribution to biophilic design, they also serve an essential environmental purpose.
By managing stormwater on-site, the system reduces runoff to local waterways, allowing rainwater to infiltrate naturally into the groundwater system rather than being diverted into traditional storm sewers. This approach helps protect water quality while supporting long-term watershed health.
At the time of construction, the project team worked closely with the Village to gain approval for this innovative alternative to conventional curbs-and-pipes infrastructure. The success of the project helped establish a precedent for future developments, demonstrating how sustainable stormwater solutions can deliver both environmental and practical benefits.
Lessons That Continue to Influence Client Projects
The Darien office has become a valuable source of inspiration and learning for our clients. The natural landscape design is frequently referenced by organizations interested in incorporating similar ecological features into their own projects.
Many of our school district clients are particularly drawn to the concept of the building as a living laboratory. They often explore opportunities to make sustainability visible and educational through features such as exposed building systems, demonstration photovoltaic arrays, interactive displays, and interpretive signage. These elements help transform buildings into teaching tools that engage occupants and promote environmental awareness.
The lessons learned from designing, building, operating, and continuously improving our own facility continue to inform our recommendations and strengthen our ability to help clients achieve their sustainability goals.
Designing for the Next 20 Years
As environmental priorities and workforce expectations continue to evolve, buildings must be designed with adaptability in mind. A common saying in the industry is that a building is least efficient on the day it opens because future improvements to lighting, mechanical systems, controls, and building envelopes are inevitable.
Designing for flexibility allows buildings to accommodate changing technologies, users, and program needs over time. Depending on the project, this may include planning for future solar installations, designing for disassembly and material reuse, or incorporating energy and indoor air quality monitoring systems that support continuous performance improvements.
Our own building illustrates this philosophy. In addition to maintaining its LEED legacy, the office has achieved both the WELL Health-Safety Rating and WELL Performance Rating, validating its ongoing commitment to occupant health, wellness, and building performance. These certifications further reinforce the building’s role as a hub for sustainability and employee well-being.
Ultimately, designing and constructing beautiful, high-performing buildings that can adapt and evolve over time extends their useful life and reduces environmental impact. The most sustainable buildings are those that remain valuable and relevant for the communities they serve—whatever future needs may arise.
