Etsy

With intelligent sustainable design strategies and thoughtful use of materials, Etsy’s 200,000-square-foot headquarters is one of the largest Living Building Challenge (LBC) Petal-Certified buildings in New York City. LBC Certification is administered by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) and serves as one of the world's most rigorous sustainability standards for buildings. Gensler helped achieve Etsy’s LBC certification goals through extensive climate action strategies and biophilic design principles, helping the company set a new standard for sustainable construction and design.

The Gensler team vetted more than 1,500 design sources to ensure they did not contain harmful or toxic chemicals, also referred to as Red List Materials. Additionally, the space features wood that was invasive, salvaged, reused, or sourced from responsibly managed forests. Low-flow and flush fixtures help reduce water usage, while a 3,500-gallon rainwater tank supports the building’s extensive interior greenery program. High-efficiency light fixtures and daylight controls contribute to energy savings, and onsite and offsite solar arrays provide 100% of the building’s power from renewable sources.

The three-year journey began with a broad vision as a partner to the Etsy community, which is realized through four key design concepts: celebrating the art of making; telling the Etsy story through a narrative journey; embracing nature; and capitalizing on sustainable, authentic, and locally sourced materials. Faithfully carried out in every detail, these concepts resulted in a space in which Etsy can truly live its mission. The project was recognized for excellence in sustainable design at the 2020 American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top Ten Awards.