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Doing Well While Doing GoodChesapeake demonstrates how architectural innovation stems from responsible corporate stewardshipStory By Edward Weber, AIALeft A computer-generated imageshowing the unique curvature of thebuilding. The building’s ends illustrate“rotation” as extending vertical planes,resulting in a “blur” from the movement.Above Left This photograph shows thekelly bushing engaged and spinning atthe rotary table. The kelly bushing turnsthe drill string, which turns the drill biton the bottom. The kelly bushing turnsat speeds up to 150 rpm.Above Right Computer-generatedimage showing the aerial view ofthe 177-degree building that, withcentral sculpture and the parking plan,completes the 360-degree rotation.It is not uncommon for great societies torefl ect their prosperity with architecture thatadvances the quality of life and civic pride intheir community. Today, many governmentand business leaders understand that inspiredbuildings can both spur economic developmentand positively affect profi tability.A well-known contemporary example is theboost provided to Bilbao, Spain by Frank Gehry’sdesign of the Guggenheim Museum. Moviemakers, commercial directors and tourists all visitthe ship building city because of the artistic idealsrepresented by the distinctive, titanium-cladmonument.Charleston, West Virginia promises to benefi tfrom an instant architectural showpiece whenChesapeake Energy Corporation completesits new Eastern Division Headquarters at theNorthGate Business Park. While there is no tellingif movies and car commercials will be fi lmedthere, the dramatic design by Chesapeake’slong-time collaborator, Elliott + AssociatesArchitects, represents the shared aspirations toinfuse the region with a symbol of the energyproducer’s philosophy toward the community,their workforce and the environment.“Chesapeake has a history of helping its homestate of Oklahoma grow and prosper. They arebringing that same spirit and determination toWest Virginia. The unique headquarters buildingwill refl ect their commitment to West Virginia, itsenvironment and its people. It is a facility they willbe proud to call their regional home,” says JoeManchin, Governor of West Virginia.While a single glance at the sweeping forms,concentric surfaces and spiraling centerpiecereveals symbols of the drilling process onwhich the company is based, the 20-acreVOLUME 2findyour ENTRANCE .com53

headquarters campus offers much more. “InNovember 2005, Chesapeake promised itwould aggressively expand its West Virginiaoperations, and they are doing so. Since thattime, Chesapeake has added more than 100jobs in Charleston and more than 175 in theAppalachian Basin,” says Manchin.One can say the dramatic design of theEastern Division Headquarters, scheduledfor completion in 2009, has been 18 years inthe making. Two years before co-foundingthe company in 1989, Aubrey K. McClendonbegan a relationship with architect RandElliott, FAIA, whose fi rm is also based inOklahoma City. Working closely together asChesapeake grew from an initial investmentof $50,000 to a $30 billion publicly heldcorporation, McClendon and Elliott haveevolved their collaborative relationship,allowing the architect’s brush to paintprogressive visions in several prominent andaward-winning projects.“If you look at the history of our fi rm,you see that our buildings are architecturalportraits of our clients, their values and theirgoals,” says ElliottWhen the client clearly states goals in bothfi nancial and human terms, the stage is setfor dynamic artistic expression. “We plan tocreate wealth not just through developmentof natural resources but also through qualityjob creation and good corporate citizenship,”says McClendon, whose company hasdeveloped advanced drilling techniques thatallow it to reach otherwise unattainable gasreserves throughout Appalachia. “Ours isa very environmentally friendly natural gasexploration process. We can set up a drillingoperation on less than one acre of land.”To help with the local lay of the land fordesign and construction, McClendon andElliott were determined to work with a nativearchitect who shared their passion for designand a like-minded commitment to excellence.Silling Associates in Charleston was chosenafter a thorough interview process to leadthe project from design development throughconstruction. Jody Driggs, AIA, vice presidentof Silling Associates, says, “We are privilegedto work with Chesapeake and Elliott on thestate-of-the-art facility. The project’s social54 findyour ENTRANCE .com VOLUME 2

Leadership MattersBy Scott RotruckBelow This is the beautiful view ofthe lobby that faces toward the south,overlooking the central sculpture. Thelobby is two stories with glass floorbridges connecting the offices.This image shows a worker tending to the spinning kellybushing. The average well depth ranges from 4,000 to7,000 feet.Hundreds celebrated the Augustgroundbreaking of the Chesapeake EnergyEastern Division Headquarters. Now the workbegins—bringing what’s been called “anarchitectural wonder” to life will take innovationand commitment. Construction begins inDecember, with completion expected in 2009.The present design includes space for 300offices at a price of $30 million. It was createdby Elliott + Associates Architects in OklahomaCity, partnering with Silling Associates, Inc., inCharleston.The building’s design is inspired by the artand science of natural gas exploration. It issemi-circular, and at each end steel extensionsjut out at varying lengths, depicting rotation orthe spin of a drill bit. The concentric motion isfurther referenced by the staggered nature ofthe windows that surround the structure. Greenspace and parking complete the circle. In thecenter, a sculpture references the spiral motionof a drilling well.The architects also paid careful attentionto the surroundings, as West Virginia’s foliageand topography affect the way the buildingwill be situated on the grounds. The centerof the rotation is the highest point on the site.Minimal excavation work is needed to beginconstruction. The breathtaking setting will bepreserved for Chesapeake employees andvisitors to enjoy.The headquarters will be a “CertifiedGreen Building” and must meet numerousenvironment-friendly features, specificallyfocusing on the building’s heating and coolingefficiency and storm water runoff. Onelocal newspaper pointed to the project andconcluded that Chesapeake is poised to “takeleadership on eco-friendly offices.”In addition to the Charleston headquarters,Chesapeake has a field office comprised ofthree buildings in Jane Lew in Lewis County.Chesapeake Energy Corporation’sOklahoma City “campus” is one of the premiercorporate working environments in the UnitedStates. It is a 60-acre college “campus”environment done in the Georgian-stylearchitecture reminiscent of the ChesapeakeBay region. Employees enjoy two on-campusrestaurants and an award-winning healthfacility. Chesapeake believes its employees areits most valuable asset. The company’s goal isto provide state-of-the-art facilities and tools toenable their talented people to move quickly,adapt to change, build esprit de corps anddeliver value creation.Elements of the Eastern DivisionHeadquarters mimic the Oklahoma Citycampus. The new building will also have arestaurant and workout facility for employees.The CEO, Aubrey McClendon, discourages agreat degree of separation between upper-levelmanagers and frontline employees. Therefore,there are a maximum of four floors on any ofthe company’s buildings. The company hasa low-hierarchy management team that helpsprovide dynamic leadership. In fact, Forbesnamed Chesapeake the “Best ManagedCompany in the Oil and Gas Industry.”Chesapeake Energy is the most activedriller of new wells in the United States and theAppalachian Basin is vital to the company’scontinued growth. The talent housed in theEastern Division Headquarters in West Virginiawill help shape the company and the naturalgas industry for decades to come. One of thecompany’s mantras is “Leadership Matters.”Chesapeake is excited to be making the boldstatement to West Virginians that it plans tomake a positive impact on the quality of life ofall citizens across the beautiful state. This image shows a typical steel drill bit. The drill bitgrinds up the rock and dirt to make the hole.VOLUME 2findyour ENTRANCE .com55

Teaming forSuccess in theNew CenturyBy Edward Weber, AIAThe 21st Century has seen enormouschallenges carried over from the lastcentury as well as emerging ones thatwill only be solved with leadership,vision and teamwork. Whether it is thechanging climate, adjusting to shiftingglobal economies or developing newenergy technologies, our success as agreat society depends on making thenecessary adaptation to these newrealities.While one architectural projectdoes not solve all of the challengeswe face, it can act as an exampleof what can be accomplishedwhen corporate values alignwith community development,environmental responsibility andarchitectural vision. The 21st Centurywill see great innovation withbuildings that use less energy andcontribute to a healthy, productivework environment. These buildingswill in turn add to the enhancementof their clients’ success as well asthe enrichment of the communitiesin which they are built. This newarchitectural approach will showthat it is possible to have the idealsof a successful society representedin buildings that are efficient andpleasing.It is not often that all of theseelements come together, but whenthey do it is no accident. Wheneveryone from state and localgovernment officials and the buildingowner to designers and contractorswork together, the results can beinspirational. and economic impact to West Virginia cannot beoverstated. We believe it will also raise the levelof architectural discourse and building designthroughout the region.”With their move into the Appalachian Basin,Chesapeake could have taken a low-profi leincremental approach to their expansion, utilizingexisting offi ce facilities for their operations, but thatwould not fi t McClendon’s style or philosophy. “I’malways amazed at how boring some places lookon the outside, I can’t imagine how anyone wouldlike to work at a company with no character,”says McClendon. He believes vibrant, healthywork environments, with people compensatedaccording to their value creation, not only attractsa high-skilled and highly productive workforcebut pays back dividends to the company andshareholders. The following information offersinsight into the integration of corporate values andidentity with design and technology as representedin the new Chesapeake Energy Eastern DivisionHeadquarters.Designed Intention—Drilling with Core ValuesChesapeake’s business and communityidentity are embodied in the building designconcept.Chesapeake has been at the forefront ofits industry in recognizing the many positivecharacteristics of natural gas that can meet ourcountry’s dual needs of more energy and cleanerair. Around 2000, the company embraced naturalgas and ever since then has been pursuing itsstrategy of developing large scale natural gasresources in the U.S. “Natural gas is the perfectfuel for the 21st century—it’s clean, affordable,abundant and American,” says McClendon.“Twenty-two states in the U.S. produce naturalgas and West Virginia has always been animportant producer among them and remains sotoday. More importantly, we believe West Virginiacontains vast amounts of natural gas reservesthat have not yet been discovered and we intendto lead the way in fi nding them in the yearsahead.”It is this mission that drives the companyand provides inspiration to the design teamfor Chesapeake’s new Eastern DivisionHeadquarters. Design architect Rand Elliott,FAIA, explains that the concept for the site andbuilding design derives from the essential natureof the company. “We were inspired by the gasdrilling process in general and the inherent notionof the clockwise rotation of the drill bit itself.Every employee and visitor to the campus will beengaged on a daily basis with what the companyis about and what everyone is working togetherRight This is a view of the southwestcorner of the building showing the smallbuilding footprint and the two-storyglass enclosure “floating” above theland.VOLUME 2findyour ENTRANCE .com57

Chesapeake Energy Corporation EasternDivision Headquarters By Edward Weber, AIASustainable Design Features• The cantilevered building structure minimizesthe footprint.• The site design encourages people to walk.• Employees will be encouraged to drive lowemitting,fuel-efficient vehicles.• Concrete parking lot materials with recycled flyash will also reduce the total heat sink effect.• Storm water will be creatively detained andused for site irrigation.• A nature preserve will be developed on theundisturbed parts of the site with hiking trails.• The restaurant on the lower back side of thebuilding will feature access to the outdoors.• The fitness club will have tremendous views forstationary bikers and runners.• Advanced lighting and thermostat controls,as well as operable windows in offices, giveindividuals a great deal of freedom to managetheir environment.• It will feature water-efficient plumbing fixtures.• There will be plenty of recycled, recyclable andrenewable materials.• The contractor will be required to recycleand maintain indoor air standards duringconstruction. A view of the two-story lobby in the new EasternDivision Headquarters, facing north.“We were inspiredby the gas drillingprocess in generaland the inherentnotion of theclockwise rotationof the drill bit itself.Every employee andvisitor to the campuswill be engaged on adaily basis with whatthe company is aboutand what everyone isworking together toaccomplish.” Leasing and Sales Appraisals Consulting Asset Management Auction Services Comparable Database“As the state’s premier commercial and industrial real estate firm, GoldmanAssociates has participated in appraisal or brokerage assignments in nearlyall West Virginia counties.”PO Box 271 Charleston, WV 25321 304.343.5695 www.goldmanassociates.org Jay Goldman, Broker58 findyour ENTRANCE .com VOLUME 2

to accomplish,” says Elliott, president ofElliott + Associates Architects in OklahomaCity, Oklahoma.The center of the 20-acre site is a hilltopthat will be punctuated with a monumentalspiraling sculpture to represent a spinningdrill. A series of concentric circles will radiateoutward from the round sculptural base andculminate in the 850-foot semi-circular arc ofthe building.The radiating circles contain terracedparking and landscaped elements includinga large semi-circular green space, giving thecampus a park-like setting. The campus isbisected with an elevated walkway leading tothe center of the building’s elegant lobby.Rotation is emphasized in the façade ofthe building where offi ce walls shift from fl oorto fl oor creating a dynamic visual effect. Theupper two stories are offi ce spaces, liftedabove ground to fl oat in space creating alight and airy atmosphere. Elevating the offi cefl oors also gives people a bird’s eye-view ofthe surrounding tree canopy and a panoramicview of the hillside.The fi rst two fl oors or base of the buildingwill contain a restaurant and fi tness facilityand will service other functional needs suchas mechanical equipment, storage, fi lingand computer server rooms. This allows thebase to have a solid appearance with fewerwindows and can be made with materials tocompliment nearby sandstone cliffs.At the terminus of each end of thecurving building, concrete and steel fi n wallsextend out, acting as a visual “blur” fromthe motion caused by the spinning drill bitas it penetrates the earth’s surface. Thenotion of “blurring,” as Elliott puts it, givesthe ends of the building the appearance ofcutting into the earth at high speed and theconcept of rotation becomes architecturalform—a fi tting image for Chesapeake, whichcontinues to use the pinpoint precision of itsdrilling operations to search for new energyreserves.Sustainable DesignIn most buildings, an elevator is not amajor architectural detail, but it is at theheart of the architectural signifi cance of theChesapeake Eastern Division Headquartersdesign. CEO McClendon expresses his desirefor a healthy staff by jokingly saying he wouldlike to eliminate elevators so everyone has touse the stairs.While McClendon’s whimsical attitudemakes a theoretical point, his insistenceon healthy conditions for employees earnspoints from the U.S. Green Building Council(USGBC.org).The USGBC has a point system as part ofits Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentalDesign (LEED) rating. Based on the numberof LEED points earned, a new building isgiven a rating of Certifi ed, Silver, Gold orPlatinum.While architects have always known toorient windows to the south and reduce thenumber of doors opening into cold northernwinds, the USGBC has categorized the bestsustainable practices and awards pointsfor each environmentally friendly elementincorporated in a project.The LEED rating system is divided intosix categories covering topics such assustainable site conditions, water savings,mechanical systems design, materialspecifi cation, construction methods, airquality and design innovations attributed tohealthy buildings and environments.A recent LEED evaluation of theheadquarters project with the owner,designers, engineers and general contractorrevealed that only a small increase in theproject budget will likely result in a Silver ratingfor the building because Chesapeake alreadyhas high environmental design standards.The comprehensive evaluation indicatesthat good corporate practices make a majorcontribution to achieving sustainable design.“Because Chesapeake already realizes thevalue of green building practices, we found itwas easy to translate their corporate standardsinto a higher level rating for a very low cost,”says Jody Driggs, AIA, Silling Associatesprincipal and coordinator of the LEED effort.A narrow building, inward-sloped ceilings,clerestory windows and light “harvesting”devices all provide abundant natural lightto interior spaces while helping to keepthe building cool during the summer andwarm in winter. An on-site health club andhealth-oriented dining facilities contributepoints by encouraging physically fi t workerswho do not have to drive off-site for foodand exercise. Saving existing trees, addinglocal landscaping elements and creatingexterior exercise trails all add up to showgood corporate citizenship equates toa sustainable environment—and a moreprofi table company run by a healthy staff.A component of proving sustainabilityis documenting the good practices manydesigners and contractors already exhibit.Examples of good practices that will earnpoints for the project include:• effi cient design of mechanicalsystems as demonstrated by verifi edengineering calculations and clearcommunication between architects,engineers, contractors and endusers about building comfort;• civil engineering that reduces stormwater and parking lot pollution runoffon the site;• saving trees and open spaces andplanting native vegetation to reducethe need for watering the landscape;• specifying non-toxic, recycled andsustainable building materials,fi nishes and furnishings; and• reducing and properly disposing ofconstruction waste.“One valuable element that LEED broughtto the design solution was the requirementfor engineers to create an energy modelof the building,” says Driggs. This allowedthe design team to “plug and perform” withvarious building components and systems.It is possible to test design options withactual weather conditions specifi c to the siteduring different times of the day and year.The energy-effi cient model shows signifi cantcost savings over the life of the building ascompared to a baseline model that was fi rstestablished.Through the LEED research and modelingprocess the design team has recommendedan emerging technology that uses natural gasto generate electric power with the potentialof taking the entire campus off the electricgrid. “Chesapeake is excited about this andother innovations that have been introducedthrough the LEED process,” says Driggs.The USGBC has recently implementedan all-electronic certifi cation process thatwill reduce paper usage and will makesubmittals more effi cient. However, the entirebuilding team, including Chesapeake, Elliot+ Associates Architects, Silling Associates,local government offi cials, contractorsand consultants, already understands theresponsibilities and rewards of demonstratingthe good citizenship that contributes to amore sustainable environment for all of WestVirginia and the Appalachian Basin. The teamis glad the LEED rating system is availableto help highlight the benefi ts of sustainabledesign and they all have promised to use thestairs when the building is fi nished. .........................................................................................................Photography by K. O. Rinearson and Elliott + Associates Architects60 findyour ENTRANCE .com VOLUME 2