Inside the Mothership
In Q3 of 2017, one of the most famous tech companies in the world completed construction of their NEW headquarters in Northern California. The construction elements, processes used, and materials procured were considered to be some of the most forward-thinking ideas in construction of a corporate office building EVER. Things like a green living roof, solar panels, and planting of over 9,000 trees within the surrounding lands is revolutionary thinking for a corporate office building. That company, is Apple.
One thing that MAY surprise you, is the use of Expanded Polystyrene foam throughout the construction process from the wall insulation, to providing a base over the roof structure for the living garden to sit on. Hundreds of truckloads of EPS foam were used throughout the project and were able to provide a material that is 100% recyclable, and typically made of up to 15% recycled content or more. EPS has an amazing R-Value (the capacity of an insulating material to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.) Because of EPS’s high R-Value, the Apple building will use less power keeping their employees cool with air conditioning or warm with heat. In addition, the fill material used on the project allowed construction to move faster, easier, and save tens of thousands of dollars in the process. See below for a video by Apple Insider.
