HKS’ Northville office receives LEED Silver Certification

The United States Green Building Council has awarded HKS’s 12,500-square-foot Northville office a LEED Silver Certification. The office is located in the historic Water Wheel Centre.

Formerly the Historic Ford Valve Plant, the building has been a significant landmark in downtown Northville. The art deco, Albert Kahn-designed facility was built in the late 1930s for Henry Ford, Sr. to manufacture tractor valves and components for the Model T. The antiquated plant was purchased by Mr. R.D. Cox, and converted into office space for a variety of design firms.

Now the renovated building features expansive glass windows allowing daylighting and views to the river and park as well as a fully operational, decorative 19-foot-high by seven-foot-wide water wheel. The Water Wheel Centre downtown setting offers tenants diverse shops, boutiques, galleries, theaters, restaurants, businesses and professional offices.

According to Steve Jacobson, AIA, director of the HKS Detroit office, “HKS is committed to sustainable design and being stewards of the environment. Our new office’s design incorporates many of the nation’s leading green design concepts including using paints, adhesives, stains and finishes that are free of, or very low in, volatile organic compounds; using many Energy Star-qualified equipment and appliances; purchasing materials with a high percentage of recycled content; and implementing fixtures that reduce excess water use.”

“The new office location is a meaningful and inspiring place that reflects our commitment to our people, our communities, to sustainable design and to our rich regional heritage,” said Carol Kartje, senior vice president and director of interior design for HKS Detroit.

The Detroit office provides a broad range of professional services to clients throughout the Midwest region of the United States as well as around the globe, including programming, master planning, space planning, interior design, architectural design, construction documents and construction administration.

HKS, Inc. is ranked among the top five architectural and engineering firms, according to Building Design+Construction magazine, and among the top 11 architectural firms, according to BD World Architecture magazine. Since its founding in 1939, HKS has completed construction projects totaling more than $69 billion in more than 1,069 cities located in 46 states, the District of Columbia and 65 foreign countries. The firm operates from 23 offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.hksinc.com.