Back to Awards

Sustainability Design Excellence Award
Presented to Gensler - Houston
Dimensional Fund Advisors
Houston, Texas

Project Description

Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) made a strategic decision to relocate its corporate headquarters from a leased space in Santa Monica to its own seven-story, 210,000 square-foot building in the Austin hill country. This provided the opportunity to create a workplace that could effectively support the company’s goals – to foster collaboration, openness, and community, as well as create an environment that reflects the firm’s commitment to sustainable design. DFA requested an interior for their new headquarters that would express their vision for the future and enhance the comfort and well-being of its occupants, all while complementing the architecture of the new building and development in a way that is environmentally responsible.

The design team answered with an innovative, effective headquarters that meets strategic sustainability goals at the highest level while creating an artistic and inspirational environment to energize the atmosphere and foster a strong social structure. Inspiration was derived from Issey Miyake’s “Stair Step Dress,” forming a correlation between the dress’s folds and those of the fan-shaped plan, as well as DFA’s dimensional approach to investing. The resulting new headquarters is artsy and bold, yet comfortable and casual – the perfect environment for the staff and guests DFA attracts. Sustainable design is manifest in expansive open areas and glass, which connect inside and outside spaces, including a dining deck, amphitheater, and landscaped garage rooftop. The design minimizes energy consumption and heat generation by integrating daylighting systems, electric lighting systems, and controls to optimize usage. To greater increase sustainability, the project features composite wood without added urea-formaldehyde, and carpet that meets Green Label Plus standards. The workplace also offers easily accessible recycling and highly efficient plumbing fixtures that reduce the building’s water usage by 15%.

Judges Comments

• Judges Comments included:
• Lighting is very interesting
• Love the fashion and design mixture
• Would be a very enjoyable space to experience.