The House Up On The Hill

HMTX World Headquarters

A COMMITMENT TO OUR VALUES

Addressing the growing issue of climate change and its continued commitment to sustainability, HMTX Industries unveiled its new World Headquarters in Norwalk, CT in October, 2022.  Working with McLennan Design and its founder Jason F. McLennan, one of the world’s most influential individuals in the field of architecture and the green building movement, the 24,000 square-foot building, which broke ground in April of 2021, is among the greenest in the state of Connecticut.

“Our new HMTX headquarters is designed to represent the core values on which our company was built and has grown,” said Harlan Stone, CEO, of HMTX Industries. “What I refer to as our House Up On The Hill merges nature and sustainability with innovation and collaboration. It provides a unique space for artists, engineers, developers and architects, as well as creative and disruptive thinkers, to exchange ideas and thoughts in this modern day salon.” 

Among the structure’s unique features, it is designed to sit above the ground in an effort to preserve as much of the existing landscape as possible.  Built using only the healthiest non-toxic materials available, it will generate more energy on-site than it uses, produce zero carbon emissions, and will capture and re-use rainwater.  The ecologically conscious facility also provides spaces for artists-in-residence design studios.

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“Working with Harlan on this Living Building Challenge project has been an incredible experience,” said Jason F. McLennan, Managing Principal of McLennan Design. “This facility is groundbreaking, not only for its design, but for the pioneering product development work taking place inside.”

The new HMTX World Headquarters is the first project ever in Norwalk to pursue the Living Building Challenge – the world’s most stringent green building rating system.  This system promotes the concept of regenerative design to create spaces that give more than they take. As a living building, the HMTX facility is intended to be largely self-sufficient while creating a positive impact on the people and natural systems that surround it.

“From concept to groundbreaking and now to see it become a reality, this project has been very special to me,” Stone added. “Norwalk has been home to HMTX for more than 20 years and I see this new building, as I hope others do, as a proud addition to the community.

Headquarters
Waterfall Grounds
SOLAR ART
HMTX INDUSTRIES WORLD HEADQUARTERS HIGHLIGHTS

General Details

  • Location:  Norwalk, Connecticut
  • Size: Four-story building, approximately 24,000 sq ft
  • Architect:  McLennan Design

 

Sustainability

HMTX World Headquarters is on track to become:

  • The greenest building in the State of Connecticut
  • The first Living Building Challenge Petal Certified project in the State of Connecticut – the world’s most stringent green building rating system
  • First flooring company to design a Living Building Challenge World Headquarters
  • “Energy positive” – producing more renewable energy through on-site solar than it will ever use each year
  • All electric and will operate with zero carbon emissions
  • The first installation of a patented solar sculpture by Steven Lowy Studios, created using sustainably harvested Alaskan cedar
 

Energy & Carbon

  • Designed to be energy positive with over 100% of the building’s power demand coming from on-site PV panels
  • Building will operate with zero carbon emissions
  • Estimated 144,000 kwh/yr in solar power
  • Predicted energy use intensity (EUI) of 18 with ultra-efficient envelope and mechanical systems, a 60% reduction from baseline office buildings of the same size and location
  • Passive cooling with operable windows and skylights
  • Natural daylighting by façade optimization and sun-shade louvers
 

Water

  • Features a rainwater capture and re-use system with a 5,000 gallon storage tank to provide gray water for flush fixtures and utility uses
  • Low-flow fixtures throughout the entire building
  • Three separate rain gardens that treat stormwater naturally and provide on-site retention and infiltration
  • Natural site drainage preserved to the highest extent possible
  • Features a water-wall in the building plaza to create white noise over surrounding traffic
 

Health & Happiness

  • Natural daylighting in every space
  • Healthy indoor air through use of Red List Free materials, the highest ventilation standards, and EPA cleaning protocols with green cleaning products
  • Biophilic design:
    • Building features a 1,700 sq ft green roof with native flowers, shrubs and trees
    • Interior features a naturally daylit green wall and several interior planters
    • Natural and biophilic finish materials throughout offer a material connection to nature
    • Natural patterns and geometries offer spaces of both prospect and refuge
    • Building works with, rather than against, the natural geology and landscape featuring paths and boardwalks for birdwatching and forest bathing
    • Featured water-wall in entry plaza

Beauty

  • Both interior design and landscape will feature artwork by local and worldwide artists including a 240 sq ft mural
  • Building will feature education and inspiration programs such as:
    • Building tours and educational events
    • Building signage/graphics about regenerative design
 

 

Press Release: HMTX INDUSTRIES CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF NEW WORLD HEADQUARTERS
Artist Bio: HMTX Featured Artist Statement-Steven Lowy