Business
ASHRAE Celebrates Grand Opening of New Global Headquarters Building
Published
4 years agoon
Focus on the economic viability of transforming existing buildings into sustainable, resilient and healthy operation.
ASHRAE formally opened its new global headquarters building on November 18, following a ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by its board of directors, top building campaign donors, elected officials and local guests. The Society completed a $20 million building renovation project intended to prove the economic viability of a fully net-zero-energy (NZE) operation.
“The completion of this project is an important milestone for ASHRAE as a professional society and for the built environment worldwide,” said 2021-22 ASHRAE President Mick Schwedler, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP. “Our investments in energy efficiency and sustainability will boost innovation within the built environment and inspire others to replicate our headquarters’ project model. Our Society reimagined a pathway forward for existing building stock and is pleased to provide an example of the future of high-performance buildings.”
The renovated, 66,700 ft2 building, situated on 11 acres of land at 180 Technology Parkway in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, is the culmination of a 10-month project, completed in October 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“One could make the assertion that constructing a new net-zero-energy building from the ground up would have been much easier than renovating an existing building,” said 2021-22 ASHRAE Treasurer and Former Building Ad Hoc Committee Chair Ginger Scoggins P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, CEM, CxA. “We decided that ASHRAE could make the greatest impact by showing others how to renovate an existing building with net-zero-energy as the focus, using our own standards and guidelines. ASHRAE is making net-zero-energy the ‘new norm’ in sustainable design and construction. It has been an honor to lead this historic project.”
The building’s grand opening comes at the conclusion of highly successful building campaign that raised more than $10.3 million in monetary donations and contributions of equipment and services from multiple ASHRAE members and thirty-three corporate donors. Top corporate building donors NIBE and Cisco were represented at the ceremony.
“When NIBE was presented with the opportunity to be a part of ASHRAE’s new headquarters, it was an easy decision to play a part in the growth and sustainability of the HVACR industry,” said Eric Lindquist, CEO, NIBE Industrier AB. “Our U.S. brands are focused on continued promotion of systems and solutions that provide comfort, affordability, and betterment of the environment. We look forward to the new headquarters and what the future holds.”
“When ASHRAE embarked on creating a workspace that reflected their organization’s vision of advancing human well-being through sustainable technology, Cisco was ALL-IN on partnering,” said Jeremy Witikko, Office of the Chief Technology Officer, Global Industry Business Strategy, Cisco. “Cisco is committed to power an inclusive future for all and were thrilled to be a part of that journey with ASHRAE. Together, let’s continue to build a place where we can meet human needs and protect the planet though technology, our actions, our people and our intentions. An inclusive future starts with a livable planet where people and the environment can thrive together.”
Although ASHRAE has occupied the building for more than one year, with limited onsite staff presence, the installation of a Photovoltaic (PV) solar array system was completed in October 2021, marking the beginning of the building’s operation at fully net-zero-energy performance. The PV system is a combination of three sub-arrays totaling 332kW, mounted on the rooftop and in an unused section of the parking lot.
In addition to the PV system, other innovative approaches incorporated in the building include:
- 18 new skylights and reconfigured window/wall ratio.
- Radiant ceiling panel system: This is used for heating and cooling & dedicated outdoor air system for outdoor air ventilation with enthalpy heat recovery.
- Overhead fresh air distribution system augmented with reversible ceiling fans in the open office areas and displacement distribution in the learning center.
- Six water source-heat pumps (WSHPs): There are four on basement level and two on upper level atrium that will be used to condition these spaces.
- A robust Building Automation System with remote access.
- Demand Control Ventilation (DCV): This will be used for high occupancy spaces in the meeting and learning center.
- On-site electric vehicle charging stations available for guests and staff.
In attendance at the ceremony were representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock and Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux, along with county and city officials.
“We are very pleased that a professional association of ASHRAE’s distinction selected Peachtree Corners as the site of its global headquarters,” said Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason. “Technology Park is a natural fit for an organization whose focus mirrors the city’s efforts in technology innovation, sustainability and green living.”
“The relocation of ASHRAE’s global headquarters to Peachtree Corners further supports our goals for business and industry growth,” said Nick Masino, President & CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber. “We are excited to have them in Technology Park and look forward to partnering with one another in the future.”
The building renovation project was overseen by ASHRAE’s Building Ad Hoc Committee and Technical Advisory Subcommittee comprised of Society volunteers. Partners involved in the design, engineering and construction of the building project include: Houser Walker Architecture, McLennan Design, Integral Group, Collins Project Management, Skanska, Shumate Mechanical and Epsten Group. The PV installation was completed by Creative Solar USA.
Tours of the building took place immediately following the ceremony. The event drew a large virtual audience via Facebook Live, representing a segment of the Society’s 51,000 members around the world. For more information about ASHRAE’s global headquarters, please visit ashrae.org/newhq
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Business
City of Peachtree Corners Extends Its International Reach
Published
2 days agoon
July 12, 2025Although a precise number of countries with companies that do business with and inside the City of Peachtree Corners isn’t readily available, it’s obvious there is a broad international presence in this metro Atlanta community that is becoming the center of the Southeast’s Silicon Orchard — with technology incubator, Curiosity Lab, being a primary factor in this reach for global business.
One of the most recent endeavors took place at an announcement ceremony on July 1 when Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), formerly the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, signed a memorandum of understanding with Peachtree Corners. This agreement formalizes an already long-standing relationship between the city, Curiosity Lab and MUFG and recognizes a partnership aimed at advancing innovative solutions in transportation and Smart City technology.
Joining Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason and City Manager Brian Johnson at the event were Mio Maeda, consul general of Japan, Yukata Fujishiro, head of JCB for the Americas at MUFG Bank, Hiroyuki Akiyama, chief executive director of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Atlanta, a non-profit that provides business support services to companies expanding to Japan and Yuichi Arai of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia.
Two countries, one goal
The bank’s unique MOU with Curiosity Lab is the first of its kind, focusing on scaling startups and innovation, setting a new standard in the financial sector. Mayor Mason emphasized the economic development benefits of the collaboration.
“The reason we [built Curiosity Lab] was for economic development,” he said. “And when you have [an organization with] the same goals, a partnership like this develops, and it does nothing but further our goals for the economic development of our citizens in the broader community.”
Mason added that this collaboration will strengthen the already powerful relationship between the city and the country.
“We leverage that to open up our markets — your markets to us, our markets to you. And only good can come with that,” he said.
Maeda agreed that the association will open new doors for both entities.
“More than 800 Japanese companies and Japanese-affiliated companies and offices with activities are in the state of Georgia,” he said. “It’s huge, but mainly they are in areas of manufacturing. This partnership opens up new frontiers of the relationship between Japan and Georgia in advanced technology.”
Future success built on past engagement
Fujishiro put it all into perspective when he emphasized the company’s legacy and its future. MUFG’s mission is to connect companies, society and local governments, highlighting their extensive network in Japan.
“MUFG has been innovating for over three centuries, and Curiosity Lab is leading innovation for the future. Together, we can create cities that are smarter, faster, cleaner and more efficient,” he said.
It’s not a coincidence that the partnership is taking place here. The support network in metro Atlanta has been instrumental in formalizing the relationship with MUFG. As the largest bank in Japan and one of the top ten in the world, MUFG embraces new ways of doing things while staying true to its core values.
“Urban infrastructure is a large part of our work,” said Fujishiro. “We financed the new Terminal One at New York’s JFK Airport. [And] MUFG is one of the banks that contributed to the investment in the construction of Mercedes Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Curiosity Lab,” he continued. “They are pioneering the next generation of city infrastructure with autonomous vehicles, solar-powered roads and smart public technologies from all over the world. And Peachtree Corners has created a dream come true for companies across industries: a testing site where local government encourages private industry.”
Innovation and growth
MUFG’s 360 years in existence isn’t a fluke. The company looks for innovative ways to enhance its profile. They host accelerate events in Japan and have a venture capital and equity fund to invest in startups globally — something that’s not standard practice in many American banks. But it has already proven successful in this country, as the Atlanta office is approaching its 50th anniversary.
“This milestone reflects our long-standing commitment to the economic development of the region,” Fujishiro said. “Supporting Japanese businesses has been an integral part of this commitment. We have the reach of a global institution and the client service of a local branch. This unique culture allows us to connect Japanese companies with the best opportunities abroad.”
The dedication to innovation and infrastructure shared by MUFG and Peachtree Corners makes the partnership more valuable, he said.
Johnson explained that the coalition with MUFG was an obvious win for the city.
“We have an opportunity and a location to scale technology, to make the world a better place and to make it easier to do so. And so we’re really excited that that goal and mission marries well with MUFG,” he said.
“MUFG is a bank that understands the challenges that companies in the innovation space have,” Johnson added, “and they created an internal framework to help those companies, and a framework for external partnerships so that we can connect companies and products … and together try to make the world we live in a little bit safer, smarter, cleaner.”
This partnership between the city and MUFG aims to foster innovation and urban infrastructure and connect Japanese companies with global opportunities, leveraging MUFG’s global reach and local client service.
For more about MUFG, visit mufgamericas.com.
To learn more about Curiosity Lab of Peachtree Corners, visit curiositylabptc.com.
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Business
The City and PCBA Welcome Ride Lounge with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Published
1 month agoon
June 4, 2025The Peachtree Corners Business Association and the City of Peachtree Corners officially welcomed Ride Lounge, one of the city’s newest businesses, with a morning ribbon cutting ceremony on May 29.
From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., members of the city and PCBA, along with members of the community, enjoyed mingling, getting to know the Ride Lounge staff and learning more about the unique company.
Guests also enjoyed a light breakfast spread of bagels, fresh fruit, coffee and juice and brief speeches from featured guests.
Welcoming the business
Lisa Procter from the PCBA spoke first and thanked Ride Lounge for being part of the PCBA and the Peachtree Corners community. She also recognized the collaboration between the organization and Ride Lounge in hosting the ribbon cutting.
“The PCBA was proud to coordinate with Ride Lounge and the community to make this event a success,” Procter shared.
Mayor Mike Mason followed Procter in addressing the crowd and talked about the state of business in Peachtree Corners and how companies like Ride Lounge help make the city a great place to live and work.
Dave Codrea and Josh Friedensohn, founders of Ride Lounge, then thanked everyone for coming and shared a little about the company and their vision.
The cutting of the ribbon and photos followed the brief speeches. Afterwards, the crowd was invited to tour the space and spend more time chatting and networking.
About Ride Lounge
The Ride Lounge is more than a car storage facility, it’s a place that celebrates car culture; where car enthusiasts can meet to discuss their passion and show off their vehicles.
Founders Dave and Josh wanted to create a welcoming community that people would trust to store their vehicles, but that would also offer a club-like atmosphere and host fun, car-centered events that the whole family could enjoy.
Ride Lounge’s 20,300-square-foot facility is comprised of 58 parking spaces with the potential to include car lifts in certain areas. There are cozy seating areas, a meeting space and kitchen area so members can hang out, relax and talk cars.
Designed for cars that are driven and enjoyed by families, Ride Lounge has room to hold up to 400 people for special events and activities.
To learn more about Ride Lounge, visit ride-lounge.com.
For more about the PCBA, visit peachtreecornersba.com.
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Music Matters Productions Expands Peachtree Corners Headquarters
Published
2 months agoon
May 21, 2025Company adds 20,000 square feet to meet growing demand
Music Matters Productions (MMP), a premier provider of audio, lighting, video, staging and rigging solutions, has expanded its metro Atlanta headquarters, increasing the total warehouse footprint from 40,000 to 60,000 square feet.
In addition, MMP has opened a second 10,000-square-foot building directly across the street to house its growing corporate production division.
The expansion comes in response to increased demand across touring, festival and corporate markets, as well as the continued growth of MMP’s high-end gear inventory. With a fully dedicated shop for each department, including audio, lighting, video, rigging and staging, the new layout provides more space for show prep, pre-rigging and crew coordination, allowing for even more efficient load-ins and streamlined execution.
New features
The rigging department now features a new mobile motor hoist test stand, allowing for in-house motor certification, a service that’s now available to external clients in the production community.
Five new truck bays were added in the process, as well, bringing the total number of bays to 17 — an important upgrade for MMP’s fleet and the increasing number of shows moving through the warehouse each week.
“This growth is a direct reflection of the work our team puts in and the trust our clients place in us,” said Aaron Soriero, owner of Music Matters Productions. “We didn’t expand for the sake of being bigger, we expanded because we needed the space to do the job right. More room means tighter prep, faster turns and better support for our clients.”
Expanding operations
The expanded warehouse and building across the street include additional offices, mixed-use areas and a dedicated repairs department, giving the team more capacity to prep, collaborate, QC and scale for increasingly complex events — both corporate and entertainment.
With a reputation built on reliable gear, experienced crews and an enhanced client experience, MMP continues to solidify its role as a go-to production partner for events of every size and setting — whether it’s a beachside festival, a stadium tour, brand activation or a high-stakes corporate show.
About Music Matters Productions
Music Matters Productions is a full-service live event production company based in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, providing industry-leading audio, lighting, video, rigging and staging solutions for tours, festivals, brand activations and corporate events across the country.
Known for its high-end inventory, seasoned crew and deep dedication to doing the job right, MMP supports hundreds of productions each year and is trusted by clients nationwide.
For more information, visit mmp-atl.com.
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