For Immediate Release: February 28, 2002
For More Information Contact: Leda Huta (202) 387-8030

Virtual Reality Look Into A "Green" Building

Washington, DC- With the click of a mouse, people from the frozen grounds of Fairbanks, Alaska to the warm isle of Tahiti can now interact with a "green" building thanks to Resource Conservation Alliance (RCA). RCA has launched a QuickTime VR of Greenpeace USA's stylish new Washington, DC "eco-headquarters" on its website (www.woodconsumption.org).

The prototype proves that an environmentally sensitive building can excel in aesthetics (Interiors and Sources magazine calls it gorgeous) and function. "We felt it was essential to show how practical and stunning a ‘green' building can be," said RCA Director, Leda Huta. "Greenpeace's office just dispels the myth that to be ‘green,' one must sacrifice beauty, practicality and quality of life."

The Chinatown headquarters is a model of "green," saving resources by adapting an existing 1898 building to make it functional again. The QuickTime VR, produced by Public Webworks, allows users to move through the space, view close ups and hear a description about the products.

"As an organization that advocates for efficient use of materials and a shift toward recycled and ag-based alternatives, we can speed acceptance of environmentally preferable alternatives, if we give people a chance to become familiar with them," continued Huta. "The web is the a great way to showcase these materials for the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time."

The office incorporates recycled items, energy efficient products and other materials that reflect Greenpeace's various campaigns. Instead of wood, the reception desk counter is made from recycled yogurt container manufacturing scraps and the conference room doors are made from agricultural waste. Wood from old barns was reincarnated into the lobby's flooring.

The headquarters is not just "green." "Our new office reflects the organization's mission statement, creating a healthy environment in which to live and work. In addition to the environmental benefits of using eco-friendly products, we prioritized the health of our employees with innovations such as paints and sealants that don't emit harmful fumes, and ergonomic workstations that have maximum exposure to natural light," stated Bill Richardson, Greenpeace USA's Campaign Operations Manager.

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