VillageGreen is the headquarters building of Herman Miller International, located at Methuen Park, Chippenham. It was designed by international architectural firm Gensler and completed in January 2006. This environmentally innovative building provides an efficient and dynamic working environment for employees, as well as excellent visitor facilities. It serves as a living case study in how workplace design can generate greater teamwork and communication, and reflects the international and creative nature of Herman Miller’s business.

VillageGreen boasts the latest in environmental design and has been awarded the highest certification for best practice in environmental design and management, BREEAM ‘Excellent’ award (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and LEED ‘Gold’ award (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, by the US Green Building Council).

Among the qualities that earn the building this status are:

• Natural ventilation – a computerised system adjusts airflow, no air-conditioning is used.
• All timber is from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) sustainable sources.
• Recycled aggregate building materials were sourced from within 30 km.
• The site had been cleared for development with no ecological value.
• Contaminated water and pollutants are filtered and drained away from the watercourse.
• Less water use – waterless urinals only need special flushing once weekly, dual flush cisterns are fitted throughout, and flow regulators are fitted to showers.
• Energy-efficient lamps have automatic shut-off using movement sensors, and exterior lighting is designed to reduce light pollution.
• No cooling towers or evaporative condensers are used, and humidification systems are not needed due to the natural ventilation system.
• All paints, adhesives, sealants and carpets have very low levels of toxin emissions.
• All carpets are recyclable.
• 75% of spaces have natural daylight and 95% of office spaces have views.
• Cycle racks and showers are provided to encourage alternative transport use.

VillageGreen is now also approved for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) assessors.

CPD obligations exist to help ensure that qualified professionals maintain their competence to practice. All chartered members of the RIBA are obliged to do CPD every year, in order to maintain their chartered status. Architects who have been on a tour of the VillageGreen are eligible to receive a certificate to confirm their attendance.

Herman Miller has been a part of the RIBA CPD providers network for over eight years. The tour joins two Herman Miller seminars which are CPD approved. These are: ‘Technology and the Working Environment’, and ‘The People Seminar’