Environmental Efforts & Community
One CEO’s Vision Produces an Environmental Showpiece for Clients, Staff and Community at Large
The modern aesthetic of the 1-800-LAW-FIRM offices is not only visually pleasing, it is environmentally responsible. Founder and CEO Ari Kresch, invested one-million dollars of his own capital to outfit the building with innovative and renewable equipment. Kresch’s main motivation behind the investment was to integrate an awareness for environmental sustainability into the workplace and metropolitan landscape as a whole.
Visibly located at the intersection of two major freeways in Southfield, Michigan, the facility is powered by 4 roof-positioned wind turbines and 600 solar panels which are anticipated to produce $45,000-worth of clean energy per year. The parking lot features charging stations for those employees and visitors with electric vehicles. The carports use solar paneled roofs to aid in the charging of electric vehicles. The offices themselves feature high efficiency lighting which will last two to three times longer than HID or fluorescent lighting and ten times longer than incandescent.
1-800-LAW-FIRM’s renewable energy project is the first privately-funded Property Accessed Clean Energy (PACE) project in Michigan. PACE was executed in Michigan in 2010 and today, more than 30 states have a PACE program in place.
Employees and visitors alike are often reminded of their responsibility to be kind to the environment. “Take the Scenic Route” signs are posted by the elevators to encourage people to take the stairs instead if they are physically able. People are also encouraged to enter and exit the building through a revolving door, exchanging 8 times less air than swinging doors. Kresch also installed a walking track in the firm’s offices to help facilitate walking meetings and support an active and engaging atmosphere.
“Movement is a motivator. We wanted an environment that kept our team energized, healthy, productive, creative and connected – and a space that visitors were eager to spend time in.”
– Ari Kresch – Founder and CEO