Johnson Controls Innovation Centre Achieves Health and Sustainability Milestones

Johnson Controls' new Innovation Centre – Warren Johnson Engineering Lab (WJEL) in Glendale, Wisconsin, has achieved two awards for its focus on sustainable and healthy building design and operations, including being recognised with both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold and WELL Gold certifications. The WJEL is believed to be the first LEED v4 New Construction project worldwide to have earned all available points within the materials and resources category. The certifications acknowledge Johnson Controls' determination to provide smart, healthy and sustainable buildings in its own facilities as well as those of its customers.

“This project pushed the boundaries of what’s possible,” says Dave Hubka, sustainability practice leader at EUA, the architecture and design firm on the project. “To be one of the only LEED v4 New Construction projects in the world to achieve a perfect score in the materials and resources category reflects not only technical precision, but a shared belief in sustainability as a driver of innovation.”

LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. LEED Gold certification recognises projects that surpass multiple rigorous sustainability standards, including energy efficiency, water conservation, material sourcing and indoor environmental quality. Since the launch of the LEED v4 rating system in 2013, nearly 3,000 new construction projects have earned certification globally. However, none are known to have achieved all 13 points in the materials and resources category.

Sustainability and Wellbeing at the Warren Johnson Engineering Lab

The Warren Johnson Engineering Lab (WJEL) at Johnson Controls’ Innovation Centre incorporates a wide range of sustainability features designed to reduce environmental impact and enhance occupant wellbeing. These include:

• Native landscaping that reduces irrigation needs by 70%
• Six electric vehicle charging stations to support low-emission transport
• Water-efficient fixtures that earned the maximum points under LEED’s water efficiency criteria
• Low-emission materials to improve indoor air quality
• A 126kW solar array expected to offset approximately 3 percent of the building’s energy consumption
• Use of Cradle to Cradle, Red List Free, and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certified materials to ensure product transparency and optimisation
• More than 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions achieved through embodied carbon analysis and reuse of existing materials
   

To meet the WELL Gold standard, which is overseen by the International WELL Building Institute and evaluates how buildings support human health, the WJEL includes:

• Access to natural daylight and outdoor views throughout key workspaces
• Advanced air filtration systems and continuous monitoring of indoor air quality
• Ergonomically designed workspaces that promote physical comfort
• Dedicated rooms for prayer, wellness and focused work to support mental wellbeing
• Showers, lockers and bicycle storage for employees who commute via the adjacent Oak Leaf Trail 
   

Kelsey Webb, architect and project manager at EUA, commented: “This recognition affirms the care and collaboration that went into every design and construction decision. Johnson Controls set ambitious goals, and together we delivered a space that supports both environmental and human health.”

The WJEL accommodates around 250 employees who are focused on developing and testing the next generation of commercial building controls. The facility includes specialised areas for both hardware and software engineering, alongside flexible collaboration zones that foster innovation.

The 109,000-square-foot building was brought to life through a partnership between Johnson Controls, Weas Development, EUA, Mortenson Construction and CBRE Global Commercial Real Estate Services. It features four YORK YMAE modular air-to-water heat pumps, a YORK YVAA air-cooled chiller and a YORK Custom Air Handling Unit. These technologies are not only highly efficient but also environmentally responsible. The building is also equipped with the Metasys 14 Building Automation System and OpenBlue, Johnson Controls’ award-winning smart building software powered by artificial intelligence.

Rachel Hodgdon, President and Chief Executive of the International WELL Building Institute, said: “We are delighted to congratulate Johnson Controls on achieving WELL Gold for its Warren Johnson Engineering Lab. This is a powerful testament to their unwavering commitment to health, performance and leadership by example. As a longstanding innovator in healthy building solutions, Johnson Controls continues to raise the bar, and we are proud to call them a valued partner in our shared mission to advance people-first places.”

In addition, Johnson Controls has enrolled in the WELL at Scale programme, demonstrating its commitment to employee health and wellbeing by working to apply WELL features, ratings and certifications across its global operations.
 

About EUA
EUA is best known for designing environments that elevate people’s potential. More than 260+ employees in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Denver, and Atlanta demonstrate an unparalleled commitment to the markets, communities and clients they serve. The respected 118-year-old firm specializes in several markets, including advanced manufacturing +
industrial, community, healthcare, learning, living, science + technology and workplace. For additional information, please visit the firm’s website at eua.com.