Reimagining our global headquarters
Etsy’s mission to 'reimagine commerce in ways that build a more fulfilling and lasting world' has implications not only for the marketplaces we're creating but also for the physical building projects we undertake to support our business operations. The Etsy business model prioritises craftsmanship over quantity, uniqueness over standardisation, and — crucially —emphasizes human connection and our relationship to the ecosystems that support us.
Over the past two years, Etsy has applied this mission to the design and construction of our new global headquarters in Brooklyn, NY. Throughout the project, we’ve advocated for materials transparency and responsible sourcing to drive change in the building, construction and furniture industries while working hand in hand with small-scale, local manufacturers and makers.
Our new home will be a testament to our commitment to the responsible use of materials and natural resources as well as to supporting local, small-scale manufacturing. We leveraged the Living Building Challenge 3.0, the most rigorous and forward-thinking sustainable construction standard, and focused our efforts in the areas of energy and water use, material selection and sourcing, and health. Below are some highlights and achievements to date:
Local, handmade furniture: Nearby makers are fabricating 50 percent of the furnishings for the 18,580 square metre space. That’s more than 750 pieces of furniture and light fixtures hand made by small businesses in New York City. Many of them - like Ashira Israel’s In.Sek Design, which is supplying much of the lighting for the office - are Etsy shops.
Responsibly sourced wood: We used either reclaimed or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood throughout the project.
Extensive ingredient screening for Red List chemicals: To date, we’ve vetted more than 1,500 products, requiring ingredient disclosure and review to ensure the most commonly used harmful chemicals — like formaldehyde and PVC — don’t end up in our project.
Onsite solar power: Our rooftop will be home to a small, 12kW solar power system that will generate some of the power used by the building. Learn more about what we’re doing to power our operations with 100% renewable electricity here.
Top-of-the-line energy efficiency: LED lighting is installed throughout the space, using up to 30% less energy than fluorescent bulbs.
Rainwater collection: A rainwater storage system collects rainwater from our roof, stores it in a 12,870-litre tank, and connects to our irrigation system to water indoor greenery.
Awesome indoor air quality: Keeping harmful chemicals out of this project has resulted in a construction site that 'doesn’t smell like one', according to Bruce Cohan from JRM Construction, the firm managing the project. Once we’re moved in, we’ll continue to maintain superior indoor air quality by using green cleaning products and advanced air quality monitoring systems.
Carbon neutral commuter friendly: We’re set up to welcome all of our biking employees to our new offices with showers and indoor bike parking.
