Embodied Carbon Reduction Strategies for Interiors: Google’s St. John’s Terminal

Google’s St. John’s Terminal in New York City exemplifies a groundbreaking approach to sustainable design and construction, achieving ambitious goals in embodied carbon reduction, circularity, and adaptability.

In Greenbuild’s 2025 session titled: Embodied Carbon Reduction Strategies for Interiors: Google's St Johns Terminal, the following speakers shared an overview of their project and lessons learned:

• Michele Neptune, Real Estate Sustainability Partner at Google
• Amanda Langweil, Project Director at Gensler
• Mallory Taub, Sustainability Director at Gensler
• Ryan Hughes, Sustainability Manager at Structure Tone

Each speaker walked through their role and shared their input on the project. Below is a detailed summary of the strategies and highlights from the project:

Project Overview

• Historical Significance: Originally built in 1934 by the New York Central Railroad, the building was part of the High Line infrastructure.
• Transformation: Converted into a 1.3 million square foot, 12-story “groundscraper” serving as Google’s NYC headquarters.
• Greenery Integration: 1.5 acres of native species were added to the site, enhancing biodiversity and biophilic design.
• Flexibility: Designed for adaptability with modular systems and vertical power drops, enabling reconfiguration over time.

Holistic Sustainability Approach

Google’s sustainability framework for the project focused on:

• Key Pillars: Carbon, water, circularity, and biodiversity.
• Certifications and Goals:
  • LEED BD&C and ID&C Platinum.
  • ILFI Zero Carbon Ready (certification anticipated in 2025).
  • High construction waste diversion.
  • Low-carbon MEP systems.
  • Biophilic design and wellness integration.
  • Use of low-emitting materials.

Interior Embodied Carbon Strategies

1. Design for Flexibility

• Modular Prefabricated Clusters:
  • Prefabricated meeting rooms and workspaces designed for adaptability.
  • Open areas between clusters allow for reconfiguration and disassembly.
  • Extends the lifecycle of materials and systems.
• Workplace Planning:
  • Social hubs, pantries, and alternative workspaces designed for long-term adaptability.

2. Material Selection and Dematerialization

• Zero-Waste Strategies:
  • Leftover materials from phone rooms were reused instead of discarded.
• Dematerialization:
  • Exposed ceilings and acoustic clouds reduced the use of metal.
  • Exposed concrete floors minimized material use.
• Prioritization of Low-Carbon Finishes:
  • Materials were selected to reduce embodied carbon while maintaining functionality and aesthetics.

3. Contractor Collaboration

• Circular Systems:
  • Contractors advanced circular workflows, focusing on carbon, waste, water, and responsible sourcing.
  • STO Building Group, a signatory to the Contractor’s Commitment, played a key role in achieving sustainability goals.
• Waste Diversion:
  • 443 tons of scrap gypsum wallboard were diverted to manufacturing plants, reducing landfill waste and pollutants.
  • Circular gypsum systems minimized debris and improved community health near landfills.
• Water Conservation:
  • Piloted four wash box tool-washing stations, saving water equivalent to half to two-thirds the size of a standard swimming pool.
  • Closed-loop systems prevented contaminants from entering wastewater streams.

Key Lessons Learned

1. Localization:
   • Sourcing materials locally and identifying local collection points is critical for circularity.
2. Intentional Circular Systems:
   • Proactive planning and collaboration with subcontractors are essential.
3. Collaboration:
   • Multidisciplinary teamwork was vital to achieving LEED Platinum certification.
4. Accountability:
   • The Contractor’s Commitment provided structure and accountability for sustainability goals.
5. Replicable Models:
   • Closed-loop gypsum and water reuse systems set a precedent for future NYC interior projects.

Project Highlights

• Embodied Carbon Reduction:
  • Focused on high-impact materials and dematerialization.
  • Modular prefabrication reduced waste and extended material lifespans.
• Circularity in Construction:
  • Closed-loop systems for gypsum and water conservation.
  • Significant waste diversion and resource conservation.
• Sustainability Leadership:
  • Google’s values were embedded throughout the project, achieved through design leadership, sustainability expertise, and collaboration.

Google’s St. John’s Terminal demonstrates how innovative design, material strategies, and contractor collaboration can significantly reduce embodied carbon while creating a flexible, sustainable, and future-ready workplace. This project serves as a model for integrating circular systems and sustainability into large-scale interior projects.