Dahlin Group Headquarters Earns LEED Silver Rating

Certification Underscores Firm’s Green Leadership

Pleasanton, Calif., May 29—Dahlin Group Architecture Planning announces Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for its headquarters building in Pleasanton.  Located at 5865 Owens Drive, the facility earned United States Green Building Council's LEED Silver rating for commercial interiors (LEED CI). It is the first LEED-certified structure for Hacienda Business Park and the third for Pleasanton. Also see www.dahlingroup.com\OwensDrive.

Dahlin Group sought the high level of LEED certification as part of its aim to “live by example,” according to Doug Dahlin, firm founder and president. Location next to Dublin-Pleasanton’s BART terminus is part of that aim. Giving staff and visitors a drive-free option from San Francisco and Oakland, it maximizes sustainable commutes. Bus lines serving the Central Valley, where much of the area’s most affordable housing is found, also terminate at this station.

Originally an auto insurance inspection facility, the Owens Drive building today reflects Dahlin Group’s signature design approach, featuring a dramatic focal stair and an open office plan. “This design serves as a laboratory for our staff and as a demonstration for clients,” said Dahlin. “With displays for visitors and employees we identify LEED elements incorporated throughout the design.” Among these are functional sunshades, low VOC paints, environmentally sensitive carpeting and adhesives, water thrifty plumbing and spectrally selective glass.
 
“By investing the time, effort and capital to certify our own building, we can more capably assist our clients and our communities,” said Dahlin. “That’s important because more jurisdictions are mandating some level of LEED Certification on buildings with a public funding component, making LEED expertise a given for all types of commercial and residential development.”

Dahlin Group maintains offices in Pleasanton, San Francisco, Irvine, and Solana Beach, California; and in Beijing, China. The firm’s staff includes LEED-accredited professionals and LEED projects under construction in Sacramento, Dublin, San Jose and Oakland.