In keeping with the Natural Resources Defense Council’s mission to be the “Earth’s Best Defense,” the design of its new Midwest Office in Chicago demonstrates the organization’s commitment to a cleaner, stronger environment. In addition to its LEED Platinum rating, the new NRDC office is the first project of its kind to meet the Living Building Challenge, a rigorous certification program that exceeds the environmental standards of the LEED system. Pursuing these goals simultaneously presented numerous challenges such as incorporating reclaimed and recycled materials—of which not a single component could appear on the LBC’s “RED list” of forbidden substances. Felt-wrapped tectum panels and recycled glazing were incorporated into the new space, and pre-owned furniture elements were sourced and refurbished. Transformed into paneling, reclaimed wood trim moldings create a fluted surface that defines the space, and the design’s rope wall and columns provide a structure for climbing plants, filtering the air and providing natural beauty. As a result of the open plan, the entire office is flooded with natural daylight, providing a vibrant and engaging workspace that supports the important environmental advocacy that takes place within it.