— Back to News Releases —

TRAVERSE CITY--Despite a challenging business climate, one local commercial interiors company has managed to see green – in both their bottom line and in their commitment to a healthy work environment.

Last year Interphase Interiors of Traverse City received Haworth’s President’s Circle Award, achieved the highest percentage quota of any Haworth dealer in North America, and finalized several large projects in the area. All while “greening” the region’s offices and workplaces.

Business success, quality products and environmental sustainability can co-exist, said Interphase’s Keely Eagle, and the combination of the three is exactly what helped drive the company’s growth.

“We are absolutely committed to green design - it is here to stay,” Eagle said. “Interphase was the first LEED AP Dealer/Owner in Michigan.”

LEED credits, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design credits, are the U.S. Green Building Council’s way to measure a work environment’s adherence to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. The (LEED) standards assess all aspects of building performance with comprehensive ratings to promote green design, construction, and operations practices. The requirements range from state-of-the-art strategies for site selection to water savings, energy efficiency, material selection, and indoor environmental quality.

The LEED Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) rating addresses factors like efficient water usage, energy conservation, and indoor air quality. Businesses that have designed their interiors with an eye toward efficiency and the environment are rewarded with LEED certification. If you’ve been hearing about LEED credits and are interested in assessing your own office environment (with the idea of “going green”) Interphase can help - as a recognized local expert on the program especially with regard to the office environment.

“Many of the solutions we sell are either wholly or partially constructed of recycled materials and are recyclable at the end of their lives,” said Eagle. “Additionally, we support architects, developers, and business owners that are trying to achieve LEED certified buildings by providing raised floor systems, moveable walls, and Greenguard Certified furnishings.”

Interphase is also uniquely positioned to respond to the shifts in the way many Michigan workers approach their jobs today; with many people job sharing, working some of their time from home, and tackling projects more collaboratively.

Shifting trend

“Companies - thanks to technology - do not need to be under one roof,” she said. “We’re seeing desks and offices shared by up to three people because of the reduced amount of time actually spent ‘in the office.’ Green building is finally being embraced and lots of companies are attempting to go paperless. Without a lot of paper, the footprint of space needed - to spread out- is significantly reduced.”

The part of her job that Eagle says she enjoys the most is, “constantly meeting new people and knowing how the landscape of northern Michigan is going to change before the general public.” Throughout 2009 and beyond Eagle said Interphase Interiors plans to continue to learn about trends and experiences in their four core markets - Commercial, Healthcare, Education, and Hospitality.

Interphase Interiors has been providing total workspace solutions in west and northern Michigan for more than 28 years. With offices in Grand Rapids and Traverse City, Interphase Interiors is the exclusive dealer in these regions for Haworth. Interphase owner Randy DeBoer also was the first Michigan furniture dealer/owner with “Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)” accreditation. For more information, visit www.interphaseinc.com or call (231) 941-4454.

— Back to News Releases —