Press

Other World Computing (OWC)http://www.macsales.com, a leading Mac and PC technology company announced today that it will hold its official groundbreaking for its new corporate headquarters on June 2, 2007.

The new OWC Corporate Headquarters Building has been designed according to specifications of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. LEED is a nationally accepted voluntary building certification program that defines high-performance green buildings, which are more environmentally responsible, healthier, and conservation-minded structures.

More than just pursuing standard LEED Certification, OWC has designed its new headquarters with the goal of attaining LEED Gold Certification. While many buildings may incorporate LEED principles in their design, presently there are only approximately 165 new construction buildings in the entire United States certified at the top levels of Platinum and Gold.

The new 35,000 square-foot building (designed to allow expansion to 65,000SF), will be located on 12 acres located near the western boundary of the Lake Shore Business Park, off Route 14 between Woodstock and Crystal Lake, Illinois. When completed, it will join a list of only 5 new construction buildings in Illinois certified at a LEED Platinum or Gold level, and will be the first Gold Certified building in McHenry County.

The five tenets of the LEED program are:
• Sustainable Site Development
• Water savings
• Energy efficiency
• Materials Selection
• Indoor Environmental quality.

Other World Computing must meet specific standards in order to obtain LEED certification, based upon a point system that covers everything from disposition of construction waste to the systems, materials, and design of the building. The end result is a "green" environmentally attuned structure and atmosphere, with the added benefits of reduced operating costs, healthier and more productive occupants, and conservation of natural resources.

Other World Computing's voluntary participation in the LEED building program demonstrates a long-term commitment to protecting the environment and conserving natural resources. Anticipated energy savings from the building's use of a state-of-the-art, Geo Thermo Ground-Coupled Heat Pump System are projected to be 50% compared to a conventional natural gas based system. When other energy conservation elements are factored in, the new 35,000 square-foot building is expected to consume less energy than OWC's present 10,000 square-foot headquarters.

Other World Computing's corporate headquarters building will feature:
• Geo Thermo Ground-Coupled Heat Pump System with an anticipated 50% energy savings over conventional natural gas based systems
• Fiber optic rooftop light-harvesting technology to augment office lighting
• High insulation value glass windows
• High insulation value materials throughout building
•"Smart" building technology, including sensors to detect empty unused rooms
• Limestone substrate and permeable paving for environmentally friendly run-off water handling
• Use of Bio Swales in landscaping to promote water conservation
• Use of native plants and prairie grasses to maximize water conservation
• Long-term, ongoing conservation practices including extensive recycling and low-impact cleaning products
• Low-impact grey water sanitation system