Clif Bar & Co. Opens Its First Sustainable Bakery in Twin Falls

Clif Bar & Company has officially launched its USD90m Twin Falls (ID) bakery, a  sustainability-focused facility using biophilic design (an approach to design that connects people in buildings with nature). 

The new 300,000 sqft bakery features a host of biophilic design elements integrated into the bakery’s original design, including more than 200 windows, vaulted skylights, light-directing solatubes, indoor walls of recycled barnwood and natural stone, indoor plants and sliding doors that connect an auditorium to an outdoor events space. A packaging area without exterior windows offers wall-projected images of the natural outdoors that rotate daily.

Outside, Clif Bar built patios for outdoor breaks and planted drought-tolerant, native plants, including more than 570 trees and 5,700 shrubs and grasses. A biking/footpath and organic community garden are also slated for the near future.
Studies show biophilia is a win-win for companies and workers, resulting in increased feelings of happiness and vitality, reduced stress, lower heart rates, fewer sick days and increased productivity, according to Browning, the company who consulted with Clif Bar on the bakery’s design.
In addition to biophilic aspects, Clif Bar designed the Twin Falls bakery with overall sustainability in mind, and is pursuing LEED certification for the building from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The bakery’s green building design elements include hybrid cooling towers that contribute to the bakery using about a third less water than most conventional bakeries. Efficient refrigeration equipment and processes trim approximately 40% off typical bakery refrigerant emissions.
In addition, 100% of the electricity required to power the bakery is generated from green, renewable energy.