Heifer International Headquarters

The Elements research and consulting division of BNIM served as the sustainable design consultant for the Heifer International Headquarters. Elements was brought in at the owner’s request to share knowledge about sustainable design with the existing design team and to help facilitate the achievement of Heifer’s green design goals. Elements performed energy modeling and analysis, developed function daylighting strategies and assisted in the selection of materials that reduced embodied energy and improved indoor air quality.

The project sets standards for environmental performance in Little Rock, while attracting people to the mission of Heifer International. At the start of the project, Elements identified on site buildings that were then dismantled to allow for the reuse of much of the material, rather than sending it to a landfill. Elements served as a partner in the design process, shaping the form and envelope of the building to maximize user productivity and comfort while also maximizing energy efficiency.

During eco-workshops that defined the project, Heifer stated that, of all the countries they worked in, the United States treated water with the least respect. As a result, the team responded to this challenge and created a project where no water leaves the site except blackwater, a true example of how to conserve water.

The Elements division of BNIM focused their work on the Heifer International Headquarters around the client’s mission of ending hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Their work started with a series of eco-workshops where the entire project team further defined the goals of Heifer’s internal Green Team, setting high expectations for the design. With new knowledge and resources available, the entire project team turned into champions, led by the owner’s commitment to pursue their sustainability mission.