April 2010

Welcome to the inaugural Sustainable Stan Journal. This blog will hold all news relevant to the sustainable design practices and initiatives of Schmidt Associates.

project of the month
Ball State University Studebaker East

The BSU Studebaker East project has been utilizing Ecotect software to help determine best approaches for glazing and sunscreening. Ecotect  depicts solar angles and calculates exposures of the glazed surfaces of the building. It also provides suggestions for optimum solar shading configurations.


The team is also utilizing Ecotect to understand the wind patterns on the site. 

The project involves additions and renovations to the existing 8 story dorm facility. Overall room count will remain as it is currently, however new Lobby and lounges will provided in the addition. The exterior skin of the existing building will be removed and replaced, and the a new mechanical system will be provided. 


Project's construction budget is $19M, and it is due to begin construction in September.2010


news
March 2010 - Sustainable Stan Award Winner

Congratulations to Jim Heinzelman. Jim spearheaded recent efforts within the office to reduce the electrical loads of the lighting systems. Reduction efforts were as follows:
Replace (52) 34-watt lamps with 25-watt lamps = 504 watts saved
Delete (46) 34-watt lamps totally = 1564 watts saved.


3,468 watts were used before these fluorescent lamp modifications - 1,300 watts after modifications = 61% savings in energy cost for these fixtures.
TOTAL WATTS SAVED: 2068 x 3500  hrs. per year = 7,238,000 KWH x 0.06 = $434 savings per year.  Lamps should not require replacement for 13.1 years. Pay back will be achieved in the first year.


Make sure to thank Jim for making a difference in our office and helping make us more efficient.


2030 Update
After the March advance, the Sustainability Committee reviewed all of the different suggestions from the groups to help meet the 2030 Challenge. A list of Short-term strategies were recommended for the office as follows:


Internal Operations Initiatives:

1. Develop Sustainability policies for office (purchasing, commuting, recycling, etc.)
2. Update Sharepoint sustainable page to be more usable. Create a dashboard to track initiatives progress.
3. Update Office's strategic plan to include sustainability action plan.
4. Create monthly Stanmail blasts for the office to improve communications (that's what this blog is about)

Education Initiatives:

1. Determine strategy for adding LEED AP+ and converting our current LEED APs to LEED AP+.
2. Create 10-12 SD/LEED classes as a separate Schmidt Academy track - DONE
3. Provide LEED Boot camp for staff members - Coming in May
4. Include Sustainability meeting in orientation process
5. Provide 2030 update at Retreat - DONE

External Initiatives:

1. Update project kick-off meeting/BIM execution plan with utility targets for each discipline
2. Create case study format to document each project for website
3. Create office standards for building envelope/orientation/windows analysis
4. Develop Marketing brochure

events
Upcoming LEED Lunch
April 20, 2010, 11:30, in the Forum Conference Room
LEED-EB at SAI. 
The class reviewed what makes LEED-EB different from LEED-NC and how the Schmidt Associates Office is working towards achieving LEED-EB certification. 
1 hour SD CEU credit from AIA


Earth Day
April 22, 2010
http://www.earthdayindiana.org/


Building Technology Huddle
April 28, 2010, 1:00, in the Forum Conference Room
Reap the Benefits of Natural Light webinar

• Identify all the ways in which daylighting may be incorporated into your facility.
• Establish which spaces in your building will benefit most from daylight.
• Discover ways to properly integrate daylighting with electric lighting, including controls.
• Outline the benefits of daylighting models.

1 hour SD CEU credit from AIA


Plant Swap Day
Friday, May 7 - bring any splits or plants you want to trade with others.


LEED Boot Camp
May 17 to May 21 from 11:00 to 1:00 in the Forum.
Focus will be on preparing participants for LEED-NC exam

Bike-to-Work 
May 17 - 21 Bike-to-Work Week
Friday May 21 Bike-to-Work Day








opinion
If you have an opinion or suggestion on things we can be doing better or ways to improve our sustainability please feel free to comment.