Sole Technology’s New European Headquarters Expands Upon Sustainability Commitment

<a href="http://www.soletechnology.com/" target="_blank">Sole Technology</a>, the umbrella group for action sports brands Etnies, Emerica, Altamont and ThirtyTwo, recently opened their sustainable European headquarters building. Located in Amsterdam, Sole Technology's European headquarters features a grid-connected rooftop solar system, an energy-saving geothermal heating and cooling system, plus a number of other efficiency strategies that reduce energy consumption by 60% as compared to other buildings. Led by founder and owner <a href="http://inhabitat.com/pas-skate-house-an-eco-home-where-you-can-skateboard-on-any-surface/" target="_blank">Pierre-Andre Senizergues</a>, Sole Technology is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2020 and their new headquarters expands upon this goal.

<a href="http://www.soletechnology.com/" target="_blank">Sole Technology</a> is a manufacturer of action sports footwear and apparel for the brands Etnies, Emerica, Altamont and ThirtyTwo. The company's main headquarters is based in California and its new European headquarters is in the Houthavens district of Amsterdam.

Pierre-Andre Senizergues likes to be able to skate in all of his buildings (<a href="http://inhabitat.com/pas-skate-house-an-eco-home-where-you-can-skateboard-on-any-surface/" target="_blank">including his home in Malibu</a>), and his new headquarters is no different.

They chose Amsterdam for its proximity to large ports and diverse culture. Their new building provides space for showrooms for each of their brands, sales meetings, and key retailer showings.

The company has a deep commitment to environmental sustainability with a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2020.

To lighten their footprint, the company made sure the new building uses as little energy as possible. In fact it uses 60% less than comparable buildings and it was awarded an A++ certification by The Netherlands' <a href="http://www.energieindex.nl/" target="_blank">EPA Label Energy Index</a>.

Their Lake Forest, California building is powered with solar panels, as is their new office in Amsterdam, which features a 60-panel, 11 kW photovoltaic system on the roof.

Excess energy is fed back onto the grid. An energy-efficient geothermal heating and cooling system is alone responsible for a 40% energy use reduction.

In addition, the building features LED lighting, motion sensors and advanced insulation.