eBay open a brand new energy-efficient office building today, reports the Mercury News. The five-story building on eBay’s North First Street campus has the largest commercial solar roof in San José, as well as soft furnishings that use post-recycled materials, and water-based paint that you can “safely lick”, though Wes Washburn, eBay’s facility operations manager, says it doesn’t taste nice. Outside, a large pool helps keep the building cool by water evaporation, and lots of windows let in lots of natural light. Sensors monitor light levels, and only turn on fluorescent lighting when its needed and when rooms are occupied.
EBay says the building meets the gold standard for green buildings, the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating.
The building will be dedicated in a ceremony featuring eBay CEO John Donahoe, PayPal President Scott Thompson and San José Mayor Chuck Reed. It will be the working home of 800 PayPal employees.
2 Responses
Even though ‘going green’ seems to have cost eBay about 5% more on building costs, I consider it important that companies lead by example so this is great news.
nothing will convince me this was done because ebay loves the planet,
I would guess its a financial decision to to grease the wheels of planning applications , or gain grants,