Bendix’s North American Headquarters Building Named Overall Winner Of Green Building Challenge

Bendix’s North American headquarters, which opened in November 2021, is a light-filled structure set on a leafy-green, 58-acre campus. (Photo courtesy of Bendix)

The latest achievement for the North American headquarters building of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Bendix), located in Avon, OH, comes from close to home: The Cleveland 2030 District has named the facility the overall winner of its Green Building Challenge.

The Cleveland 2030 District partners with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Ohio’s Northeast Local Leadership Team to host the annual challenge, created to recognize commendable new construction and renovation projects in Northeast Ohio.

Applicants submit their project for one or more of the following categories: energy conservation/management, water conservation/management, transportation emissions reduction, and healthy buildings. Submissions in multiple categories are considered for the award of overall winner. Other organizations recognizing the winners include the Cleveland chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Bendix’s headquarters, which opened in November 2021, is a light-filled structure set on a leafy-green, 58-acre campus in Avon, just west of Cleveland. It consists of a main building totaling more than 200,000 square feet and a free-standing, multi-bay commercial vehicle garage.

“The construction of the headquarters campus was an opportunity to be a signature part of Bendix’s larger strategic environmental efforts,” according to a press release. “Bendix’s sustainability journey has been at the forefront of the robust global efforts underway at its parent company, Munich, Germany-based Knorr-Bremse. Knorr-Bremse is the global market leader for braking systems and a leading supplier of other safety-critical rail and commercial vehicle systems.”

Bendix integrated key LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) concepts throughout the design and planning process of the Avon facility. In 2022, the facility earned LEED Silver v4 certification. Bendix gave special attention to energy efficiency, integrating a comprehensive energy strategy in the design and operations of the facility. Throughout the process, the team used energy modeling as a design-assist tool — taking into account such factors as site conditions, massing, building envelope, lighting, thermal comfort, and programming.

High-efficiency lighting, windows, insulation, and HVAC equipment help reduce overall energy consumption in the building by over 18 percent compared to similar buildings. Overall, 100 percent of the building’s energy use is offset by renewable energy certificates (RECs) and carbon offsets.

Bendix counted enhancing indoor air quality as another priority in the new building to promote employee comfort, well-being, and productivity. Strategies included efficient filtration, carbon dioxide sensors in all densely populated areas, and volatile organic compound (VOC) monitoring on each floor.

The Bendix project team also prioritized recycling within the design of the building, on the construction site, and for building occupants. Building materials included 11 percent recycled content. The company reclaimed wood from trees felled on the site and transformed it into tables and other fixtures used in the building and elsewhere. In addition, Bendix helped reduce water consumption by installing high-efficiency toilets, urinals, and faucets.

“Bendix also promotes alternatives to conventionally fueled vehicles as part of its sustainability program in the building. Today, the parking lot includes 28 parking spaces designated for electric vehicles, and eight on-site Level 2 charging stations are available. Dramatic increases in employee adoption of electric vehicles prompted Bendix to invest in an additional two charging stations in 2023,” the release added. “Employee amenities include a 3,400-square-foot on-site fitness center. The furthest any employee is from natural light within the building is 25 feet. The campus’ large, landscaped site — 70 percent of which is park-like open space — is designed to encourage employee and visitor interaction with the environment, social contact with each other, and physical activity. It includes a community garden, a variety of plantings and vegetation, walking and bicycle paths, and covered bike rack parking.”

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