Lead.
Leading by example starts with having two of the greenest buildings in the world.
We’ve created the ultimate innovation center in Cincinnati, Ohio, testing and incorporating all of Melink’s clean energy solutions into our own buildings and grounds.
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More than just a workplace, our campus is a showplace. Our new HQ2 building serves as a model Zero Energy Building (ZEB) for architects, engineers, and contractors to learn ZEB best practices. HQ1, our original building, is also a ZEB. HQ2 incorporates the best design practices learned through testing at HQ1. We offer tours regularly to industry professionals as well as school groups and other organizations interested in Net Zero solutions.
About HQ2
How a Zero Energy building gets built.
HQ2, completed in late 2019, is the second building constructed on Melink’s campus. It features the latest technology in terms of window and door systems, a hybrid geothermal system, and highly insulated walls, as well as a large, bifacial solar PV parking lot canopy. It serves as a model for Zero-Energy Building (ZEB) to prove ZEB construction can be mainstreamed. Our goal is to show the world that new (and existing) buildings can be made Zero-Energy at a small cost premium of less than 10%, a value proposition that will be too good to refuse on future projects.
About HQ1
HQ1 was the first building on Melink’s campus. Since the largest energy loads in most commercial buildings are lighting, HVAC, and hot water, HQ1’s construction focused on how to minimize these energy drains. Many of the technologies used in HQ1 were not widely adopted (i.e. geothermal) or available (i.e. LED lighting) when the building was constructed in 2005. Now, these practices are more common in commercial building construction — thanks in part to revolutionary building designs like HQ1.
The building is classified as Net Zero Energy, ENERGY STAR 99 Rated (only achieved by 1% of the population), and LEED Platinum-certified. Its progressive integration of conservation, efficiency, and renewable technologies make it one of the greenest buildings in the world.
HQ1 and HQ2 building features
HQ1
- Highly insulated, pre-fabricated “building envelope” consisting of concrete walls and R19 insulation
- Solar PV modules
- Geothermal HVAC system including heat pumps and geothermal wells
- Energy Star appliances
- Reduced water consumption through automated faucets, dual flush toilets and waterless urinals
- Retrofitted building automation system
- Awnings and shades for windows
- LED lighting
- 24 Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations
- Skylights and large windows for natural light
- Pellet stoves for heating
- Battery storage for generated solar energy
HQ2
- Highly insulated, pre-fabricated “building envelope” consisting of concrete walls and R30 insulation
- 85 kW solar bifacial PV parking lot canopy to produce electricity for entire building
- Super-hybrid geothermal HVAC system including heat pumps and geothermal wells
- Energy Star appliances
- Reduced water consumption through automated faucets, dual flush toilets and waterless urinals
- Building automation system
- Auto window shades and window awnings to minimize heat gain in building
- LED lighting
- 39 Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations
- Skylights, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an open stairwell to maximize natural light
- Pellet stove for heating
- Large fans in plant for air circulation
- Double-glazed thermally broken windows and doors
- Water feature to help control building humidity in cooler months
- Cistern for rainwater collection