House of Vestas Will Be Europe’s First LEED Platinum Certified Building

<a href="http://www.vestas.com/en/" target="_blank">Vestas Wind Power Systems</a> has recently moved into their new headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark, which will also soon have the honor of being Europe's first LEED Platinum certified building. Designed by <a href="http://www.arkitema.dk/Erhverv+Working/Projekter/House+of+Vestas.aspx" target="_blank">Arkitema Architects</a>, the 'House of Vestas' will join an elite list of approximately 150 commercial buildings in the world which have also accomplished this feat. The building features Denmark’s largest geothermal installation and uses only 50% as much energy as a similarly sized facility. Not only is the company devoted to making advanced wind energy systems, but also to building energy efficient buildings. In fact, their <a href="http://inhabitat.com/new-vestas-headquarters-in-portland-shoots-for-leed-platinum/">US-based headquarters in Portland</a> is aiming for LEED Platinum certification too.

The 22,500 sq meter complex is the new headquarters for the <a href="http://www.vestas.com/en/" target="_blank">global wind turbine company</a> and is an explicit example of the company's commitment to sustainability.

Long, low and stealth-like, the dark exterior features bright blue accent lighting and gives you the impression that some super serious, high tech research and development is going on inside.

A warm cafe inside the building provides space for meeting and eating.

The interior is vibrant, relaxed and filled with natural daylight.

An atrium cuts down the middle of the building serving as an interior street.

Criss-crossing bridges overhead connect the sides of the building together.

This large open space also serves as flexible meeting or event space. Rich and contrasting natural materials create a textured, warm and inviting environment.

The building is largely heated and cooled by a geothermal heat pump and energy efficient design means that the building has achieved the designation of low-energy class 1-building.

<a href="http://www.arkitema.dk/Erhverv+Working/Projekter/House+of+Vestas.aspx" target="_blank">Arkitema</a> included a variety of flexible office spaces that allow employees to transform their working environment into spaces that work for them.

Movable walls modify internal volumes without changing the technical installations. Design of the project began in 2008 and construction was recently completed in 2011.

Arkitema and Vestas expect to receive their <a href="http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/Project/RegisteredProjectList.aspx" target="_blank">LEED Platinum designation</a> shortly.

A meeting space in the center includes a large picture window to look out into the atrium.

Textured materials like perforated wood and slate make the space warm and inviting.