Sustainability Life-Cycle Cork was used on the floors as well as on the columns in this commercial financial office. Cork has been used as a flooring material for over a hundred years because of its durability, acoustical and thermal qualities as well as its resistance to moisture damage and decay. The bark is peeled from the cork oak trees, while the trees thrive and regenerate, never having to be cut down. The bark is re-grown within nine years compared to hardwood flooring which takes 30 years – sometimes longer, for a tree to reach maturity to be cut down and used for flooring again. Easy to install and maintain, it is more resilient to compression from furniture than carpeting, vinyl or linoleum. It “bounces back” to normal after a temporary dent because of this. These features make it a great sustainable and life-cycle product.
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	Recycled products - Life-Cycle The granite pieces used on the foyer floor are left-over scraps from granite fabricators, normally taken to a land fill. Your local flooring companies or salvage yards are a great resource to find flooring over-runs or recycled material, which you may get for free or at a reduced price. Hard-surface flooring is a better life-cycle choice also. Approximately 2.44 million tons of old carpet were land filled in 1999. Most carpet is replaced not from wear, but for aesthetic reasons. The carpet waste generated in just one year at the current level, if laid flat on the ground, would be more than enough to completely carpet New York City!
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	Day lighting - Commercial Fixed glass was designed in offices to bring natural day lighting into interior offices. Window shades to filter uv rays optimize the natural daylight. Partial walls were designed in inner office work areas to help filter natural lighting into the center of the office, saving on energy costs. The EPA estimates that nearly 25% of the energy needs in the US are dedicated to lighting. Designing with day lighting, such as skylights and windows, will lessen the demands on artificial lighting. Besides energy conservation, the psychological and physiological effect of natural lighting on the quality of life of the occupants can not be underestimated.
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	Non-Toxic Building Products Formaldehyde-free cabinets are used throughout the kitchen. A typical cabinet with particle board may off-gas formaldehyde and other toxins for years after installation. Maintain your interior with non-toxic and environmentally safe cleaners. Many of the chemicals used for cleaning today were not in existence before World War II. In addition to the negative health aspects to our indoor air quality, a May 2002 study by the U.S. Geological Survey showed that nearly 70% of the streams tested contained breakdown products of detergents, while 66% contained disinfectants. You are what you breathe.
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	Recycled Products This custom designed wall-unit incorporates recycled doors from a local salvage yard. Unique items can be restored and re-used to make stunning design statements. If refinishing or repainting salvaged items, be sure to use products that have low or no-VOC’s. (volatile organic compounds) Always test for lead paint before re-sanding any furniture that is older than 1978. Remember to recycle your unwanted items to your local thrift store for others to enjoy.

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