Our Building and Office
Research Into Action seeks to walk our talk by conserving resources, particularly energy, in our offices and day-to-day practices. Our commitment earned us recognition as Number 2 on Oregon Business Magazine's list of the "100 Best Green Companies to Work for in Oregon" in 2010 and Number 8 in 2011.
In our former location in inner Northeast Portland, we bought 100% of our electricity and natural gas from green power programs operated by Pacific Power and Northwest Natural Gas. Research Into Action was one of the first companies to participate in these programs. For any greenhouse gas emissions (such as those related to air travel) we could not offset through our utilities’ green energy programs, we participated in The Climate Trust’s carbon offset program. We estimate that our donations offset 73.9 metric tons in annual carbon emissions.
When we outgrew that space, Jane found a “green” location: the Heritage Building, the city’s first office building to earn the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold rating. The owners transformed a vacant and historic landmark built in 1929 into a model of sustainability. Research Into Action was the first tenant; we moved in in May 2007.
Jane was eager to implement the energy efficiency strategies envisioned for the Heritage Building, and others based on her own experience. She and Linda Barnes of Merryman Barnes Architects, a LEED Accredited Professional and long-time green and solar architect, worked closely with the Heritage Building team to ensure that the office adhered to the building’s LEED design specifications. We have expanded the office twice. Research Into Action followed the City of Portland Green Tenant Improvements Guide for each build-out.
The building features a ground-source heating and cooling system with energy from onsite water wells that is designed to perform 42.8% better than ASHRAE 90.1-1999 requirements using the LEED ECB method. It also incorporates superb daylighting, effective onsite rainwater harvesting and recycling, green materials, and a host of other LEED-qualified features.
Our office includes an open floor plan and reflective or transparent/translucent interiors that maximize natural light; two-phase, three-lamp T8 lighting fixtures; ENERGY STAR® computers, monitors, and appliances; occupancy sensors; and repurposed/recycled/recyclable materials. As a result of the office’s energy features and occupants’ use patterns, the company consumes a low 4 kWh/square foot/month.
Staff is fully engaged in the company’s resource-conservation mission. We implement a sustainable purchasing policy; recycle 100% of our recyclable paper, food, and plastic waste; participate in incentivized transportation opportunities; and actively seek to reduce our personal energy consumption by sharing information and experiences during lunch discussions and tours of our homes. Since 2009, we have participated in the Bonneville Environmental Foundation's Green-e Energy and Water Restoration programs. We estimate that these donations have offset about 100 metric tons in carbon emissions, and restored about 140,000 gallons of water to critically dewatered streams.
Although Research Into Action’s rent exceeds the market rate in the neighborhood, Jane believes that supporting and working in a LEED building offset the higher cost.
We're honored that our team's efforts have earned us recognition by the City of Portland's RecycleWorks program - and selection by Oregon Business Magazine as the second greenest company to work for in Oregon in 2010 and eighth greenest in 2011!
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