Black Gold Corporate Headquarters

Grand Forks, ND, United States

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Black Gold Corporate Headquarters

Grand Forks, ND, United States

Firm

JLG Architects

Type

Commercial › Office

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2012

SIZE

10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft

BUDGET

$1M - 5M

Black Gold, run by the Halverson family, took root in the Red River Valley over 80 years ago. The company began growing and selling potatoes in the region and has since expanded their business. Due to the large demand for potatoes, many farming facilities have been established but a key building was needed to define Black Gold Farms. With this in mind, an eco-modern facility was created, allowing administration of the farming, production and processing of the company’s crops. The corporate headquarters retains approximately forty employees that specialize in potatoes and agricultural practices. Considering both the environment and staff, Black Gold was motivated to construct a LEED Gold certified headquarters emphasizes the wellbeing of individuals and the environment stewardship found throughout the organization. Black Gold’s headquarters now represents and demonstrates innovative business practices with advanced technologies and operates year round in Grand Forks.

“Developing more than a high quality product” was not enough for Black Gold Farms. The owners desired a building that was rooted in ‘North Dakota sensibility and values’ while functioning as an administrative facility. They also wanted to keep the opportunity for expansion in mind. The headquarters is more than just a facility; it is an extension of the company’s philosophy to “sustain the land, communities and their business.” Recognizing their tie to the land, Black Gold required a building that was modern, environmentally sustainable and tech-savvy.

On June of 2014 Black Gold Corporate Headquarters became North Dakota’s first LEED 2009, New Construction Gold commercial office building. The facility is 13,000 square feet, highly sustainable and a type II-B construction. The design team implemented many different high performance strategies which included energy saving techniques such as geothermal heating and heavy insulation. The team also made decisions which helped minimize the building’s water use. By selecting native and adaptive plants, the landscaping will not require heavy watering. Waterless urinals and low flow fixtures also reduce the building’s water consumption. Finally, materials originated within 500 miles of the site, which created regional revenue and reduced transportation costs and emissions. The structure was made from steel and precast hollow-core floors. The primary materials used were brick, symbolizing the solid foundation that the company came from; glass, which allowed for the visualization of the future; and metal panels denoting technological advancements within the industry.

The corporate headquarters’ orientation and glazing ensures that plenty of natural daylight reaches inside the building, improving productivity; over ninety percent of regularly occupied spaces have outdoor views. The building is influenced by a brise soleil design where external shades reduce glare and heat from the sun before it enters the building in the summer, promoting a healthier environment. In winter the brise soleil angle allows for the maximum amount of light and solar heat to enter the building the extra heat then allows for energy conservation, meaning a smaller heating bill. With this in mind the lobby was designed to have natural light entering year round. The light fills the atrium lobby, welcoming guests and employees. The wooden backdrop then catches guests’ attention; with its rustic look it reminds visitors of the history and deep roots that the Halverson farm established the Red River Valley.

Family owned and operated, Black Gold Farms took root in Park River, 40 miles north of Grand Forks, more than 80 years ago. Today they are a global production with farms all over the United States, yet they maintain a strong connection with the Red River Valley and desired to stay close to the home farm. Their new LEED Gold corporate headquarters reflects the company’s philosophy of “developing more than a high quality product.” By designing with passive systems and incorporating natural daylighting, geothermal energy, brise-soleil, a retention pond and an on-site farm, the building is able to truly “think globally, act locally.” The company assisted in boosting the local economy by commissioning many local artists who created the art, furniture and personal touches to the building, such as the reclaimed wood reception backdrop, NDSU Bison display and the vintage chip can collection in the lobby. The project had such a great outcome that it sparked the development of other agriculture technology corporations along South 42nd Street, planting the seeds for an ag-related headquarters in Grand Forks. Overall, Black Golds’ new headquarters is an extension of the company’s values. With a modern design and traditional materials, the headquarters represents their deeply rooted history and farming knowledge as well as their focus on the future.