'Green' is main idea behind HSBC's new headquarters
Environmentally conscious engineering may be all the rage today, but HSBC was building "green" into the design of its Mettawa headquarters from the time construction started two years ago.
The London-based company bought the former Prospect Heights-based Household International in 2003 for about $14 billion and recently moved its North American headquarters to Mettawa.
The facility celebrated its grand opening Wednesday.
The state-of-the-art building, which eventually is to house 3,100 area employees, collects rainwater on its roof and regulates sunlight in its offices.
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For all the altruistic intentions the bank may have, HSBC building managers say the new building's "green" features will pay for themselves within five years.
"This will all probably pay off for itself sooner than five years," said Michael Brown, senior vice president and a resident of Cary.
HSBC's European sales top $115 billion, and it is best known locally for home loans.
Brown said HSBC did not deny him any technological tool in building the new headquarters. The building has two 30,000 gallon tanks buried on the 29-acre campus, collecting rain water for toilets and other non-drinking uses.
The 568,000-square-foot building is shaped like an "X" with a centerpiece and interior features that make it one of the premier buildings in the country.
In addition to a 7,000-square-foot workout room and a meditation room for religious employees, the building is so energy efficient that its goal is to be completely "carbon neutral."
That means some energy will be coming from wind farms in Texas, other energy will be captured from the sun. Windows adjust to the sunlight. Up to 35 percent of the building's energy comes from "sun harvesting."
Even employees are strictly environmentally regimented. All desks must be cleared of paper by evening every day. Cleaning crews work days so they don't have to use lights at night to do their work.
The cafeteria only allows workers to have reusable cups and china plates. The building is cashless, all transactions being taken via electronic cards.
Each workspace has separate baskets for refuse and recyclables. Each desk has its own adjustable ventilation from the floor.
The facility also has a library, mother's rooms, a doctor's office, mail services, dry cleaning and a take-out food service.
Brown is among the workers who do not have a designated desk because up to 20 percent of HSBC employees are encouraged to take advantage of flexible hours.
Also, the building is hot-wired for Wi-Fi access, making any room a viable work space.
In the midst of all the strategy that went into the building design is an international flavor.
Brown, a 30-year veteran of the former Household Finance, said artwork on the walls is meant to change the culture of employees.
"We want people to start thinking differently," Brown said.
HSBC's 'green' headquarters
bull; 100 percent of power comes from renewable or non-carbon resources
bull; Rainwater harvested from roof is used for toilets
bull; Reusable mugs. Each employee gets a mug; no paper cups allowed.
bull; Duplex printers print on each side
bull; No papers on desk. Each night desks are cleaned of paper.
Source: HSBC