Last Wednesday, West Elm opened the doors to its new Emeryville location. This is the second store in the Bay Area, and the company’s first built “from the ground up using green building practices.” How green is it? Check out all of the eco-conscious features of this new 14,500 square foot space after the jump…
West Elm Going Green in Emeryville
During construction, West Elm practiced a number of progressive green building techniques and standards. Materials were recycled, low VOC paint was used throughout, and the hardwood floors of the store are reclaimed wood that comes from old barns. Energy efficient lighting was installed along with low flow plumbing fixtures and an air conditioning system maximizing the use of fresh air.
Perhaps the most dazzling eco-feature is outside of the building. Taking a cue from the California Academy of Sciences, West Elm has a living roof covered in turf, flowers and grasses. The living roof not only helps to insulate the building, it also has an integrated irrigation system that reduces their water usage by up to 25%. In addition to providing an urban natural habitat for butterflies, birds, and insects, the roof houses a large solar power system. Projected to offset 10-15% of the power consumption for the building, west elm estimates that it will help to remove the CO2 emission equivalent to planting 17 acres of trees.
Clearly visible from the Bay Bridge, the Emeryville location is a vivid example of what Dave DeMattei, group president Williams-Sonoma, Williams-Sonoma Home & West Elm brands, considers “embracing green building practices in retail construction."
The Spring 2009 Collection at West Elm is in line with the socially-conscious practices used constructing the new location. Khadi textiles create employment opportunities for tribal women in India, and are the cornerstone of their hand loomed collection now in stores. Recycled glassware and organic bedding and bath collections round out West Elm’s dedication to green living.
Has anyone checked out the new location? We’ll be visiting soon, and would love to hear what other locals think!
Comments (18)
Daily Email
Top Tours
- Josh and Jen's Blank Canvas
- Rhiannon and Victor's First "Grown-Up" Home
- Kelly and Jonathan's Mission District Charmer
- Lisa and Clay's Artsy and Calm Collaboration
- Donna & Riley's Zero Energy Idea House
Top Posts
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I wonder if they have a location in Austin? Also, does anyone know what prices are like?
view soyblender's profile
My husband and I made a brief stop late Sunday afternoon. I appreciated their products, but thought that the vast majority of it was overpriced. :{
view mahina's profile
Another new furniture store in this scary economy, very close to the new CB2! I suspect that a few execs are kicking themselves over the timing.
view Forestdweller's profile
"I wonder if they have a location in Austin"
http://www.westelm.com/online/store/StoreLocationsView?categoryId=&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E
view bepsf's profile
Where are you typically shopping for furniture if you find West Elm to be overpriced?
Not arguing, just really curious.
view patrick (the other one)'s profile
I appreciate the green features but I'm not fond of the overall design.
As far as prices go, relative to other Modern/Contemporary furniture dealers such as DWR and the like they're not that bad. Although much of their stuff is just out of my reach.
view RyanJ's profile
I noticed that the West Elm product line was trending more organic/sustainable/recycled... makes sense that their stores would too. Good for them.
view needleinthehay's profile
It says the irrigation for the turf roof will cut their water consumption by 25%. Maybe I am confused, but if they didn't have the turf roof wouldn't they have 0 water consumption.
Perhaps they are using a recirculating system that reuses the grey water.
view peachpie's profile
Taking a queue? Sorry, queue=line. Should be taking a cue.
view Pixie's profile
Thanks for an interesting and informative post. Apologies for my language police tendencies, but a "queue" is either a long hair braid or a line in which one waits. The correct word choice here is "cue," which means either signal or direction, as in "taking a cue from the Academy of Sciences."
view LiliZ's profile
Its a cool store I just wish baskets instead of shopping carts
view alexia77's profile
I was just in there this afternoon. It's very nice, for how big it is I'd expect more rugs and couches but I suppose that's what the catalogs are for.
view Ana's profile
The flooring choice and the living roof design are incredible. I can't wait to see the inside of the store...
view lostinfound's profile
I think it's even walking distance from IKEA!
view etslee's profile
Frankly, I think West Elm is overpriced for the quality. I bought a couple of storage benches from there and the veneer started cracking and the particleboard showing through as we put them together, according to directions. Even Ikea RTA furniture never fell apart on me THAT quickly. We also bought some upholstered rolling cubes that got misshapen and lumpy after five minutes of sitting on them.
I do still love the faux bois mirror I got from them, so my advice would be to avoid upholstered pieces and anything particleboard-and-veneer.
view FiatLex's profile
I agree with FlatLex. The quality and finish of every piece of furniture that I have purchased from West Elm deteriorated quickly after buying it. Even faster than everything I have purchased at Ikea. The prices are also quite a bit higher. Accessories and lighting from West Elm on the other hand I have been very pleased with.
I was in the new store on Sunday, it's very nice, and yes, it is very short walking distance to Ikea and EQ3. It makes for a nice Sunday afternoon furniture-browsing trip.
view dennisd's profile
The Parsons Table from WE is very sturdy and the laquer is holding up well.
I wouldn't buy anything with particleboard. Actually.
view Lilli K.'s profile
Never had a problem with West Elm furniture. One thing I left outside was ruined, but *I* did that.
view stickyricemama's profile