Blackbaud Inc., a cloud software company focused on social good and the largest technology company headquartered in Charleston, SC, earlier this month turned on the lights and welcomed employees to its new 172,000 square foot world headquarters. The new facility features an innovative lighting platform designed to enable IoT business applications for the future.
The new system from Current, powered by GE creates an infrastructure that will deliver 80% lighting energy savings as compared to fluorescent, and add sensor technology that will improve office productivity by making the space responsive to human and environmental factors, according to a GE release.
Together with JLL commercial real estate management, Current by GE engineered a portfolio of LED fixtures to present a sophisticated look for the eco-friendly campus, along with its Daintree wireless control system that provides daylight harvesting capabilities by using natural light to offset electricity use. Energy demand will also be reduced with zonal controls and the ability to dynamically reduce Current’s LED fixture output. The wireless solution is helping Blackbaud reduce installation costs and will save an additional 20% in energy costs versus a standard LED solution, GE said.
“As a company that embraces sustainability as a priority, Blackbaud not only wanted to build out a collaborative workspace but one that uses resources efficiently,” said Jon Olson, Blackbaud’s senior vice president and general counsel. “GE’s solution really stood out because of its compatibility with third-party sensors and software, making it easy for us to integrate other smart building devices and network architecture as needs arise.”
The Blackbaud world headquarters will bring together 1,400 Charleston-based employees, incubate emerging nonprofits, and teach students to code through Camp Blackbaud. As Blackbaud begins to fully use the new space, the company plans to explore apps and other tools that can enhance the employee experience though its intelligent office environment. Examples from similar office installations have included technology like occupancy sensors that improve the use of meeting rooms and smartphone apps that allow employees to adjust room temperatures.
“It is a pleasure to partner with JLL and Blackbaud to build a campus that showcases the potential of IoT-enabled lighting in commercial buildings,” said Maryrose Sylvester, president and CEO of Current by GE. “This forward-thinking approach to energy savings is a testament to the culture and mission of Blackbaud and its work around the world.”