Located in Austin, Texas, its new home stays true to the company’s progressive mission, using a variety of sustainable building materials in its construction
Fast-growing outdoor brand YETI Coolers LLC recently opened the doors of its brand-new global headquarters in Austin, a showcase of sustainable building materials and finishes. The 175,000-square-foot complex comprises two 87,500-square-foot buildings, designed by Gensler and landscape architects TBG Partners, includes amenities in line with the company’s outdoor lifestyle brand such as cornhole sets, hammocks, and barbecue pits.
Inspired by YETI’s mission, the design team crafted a workplace as earthy and authentic as the brand itself. The campus features simple, honest materials and outdoor hues, and includes fire pits as well as an outdoor band stage/workplace, eschewing anything connoting “corporate.” Hand-tooled leather, raw steel, recycled inner tubes, and worn denim materials help evoke the brand lifestyle throughout the interior.
The decking specified for the outdoor landscaping of the project, including an open-air terrace and employee lounge, was Kebony, a sustainable and highly durable modified wood. “I chose Kebony wood for the project because I was looking for a rugged exterior deck material that was an alternative to ipe wood, which we’re trying to get away from for environmental reasons,” TBG Partners senior associate designer Matt Dawson said. “I really like that the wood develops a silver-gray patina over time. This fits with the color and texture pallet that I was looking for.”
Although the project did not receive any LEED/AEGB/WELL Building ratings, Gensler designed with the best sustainability focused trade practices, including:
• Local craftsmanship
• LED lighting
• Low VOC paint
• OSB (readily available)
• Concrete – fly ash and local resources
This is the second YETI project Kebony has been involved in; Kebony Shou Sugi Ban cladding was used inside and outside YETI’s flagship store in Austin as well, sourced locally from Delta Millworks