Dental Ceramics, Inc.: Eco-Friendly and Education Savvy

When John Lavicka, CDT, saw it, he knew: the beautiful, 10-acre wooded lot in Richfield, OH would be the ideal home for his laboratory, Dental Ceramics, Inc. “I always wanted to move the lab closer to where I live and to have more space to grow,” says Lavicka, an avid outdoorsman. “But I also wanted the lab to be set in a scenic and tranquil environment because we all spend a lot of time here.”

Built in 2008, the eco-friendly facility honors its natural surroundings. For example, the lab uses geothermal energy via a series of pipes in the adjacent pond that pull heat out of the ground in the winter months and pump excess heat into the earth to cool the lab during the summer. In addition, production area floors are made from recycled cork, carpets throughout the rest of the building are made from recycled fibers, and there are water-saving features such as low-flush toilets.

Lavicka worked with an architect, as well as his brother who served as general...