Friday, May 14, 2010

May 2010

project of the month
Gene Glick Family Support Center
Children's Bureau of Indianapolis


LEED Gold Certified
Completed: Spring 2009
Area: 41,000 s.f.
Construction Cost: $7.4 Million
Cost per s.f.: $181
Team: Owner - Children's Bureau of Indianapolis, Designer - Schmidt Associates, Contractor - Shiel Sexton
This new building is the flagship facility for the Indianapolis Children's Bureau organization. The new facility is located in Indianapolis adjacent to their previous 20,000 s.f. building site. With this project, the Owner sought to embody the mission and vision of their organization by creating a healthy environment for the families they serve while showing good environmental and financial stewardship in their community.

One of the primary factors to help the building achieve LEED Gold certification was the use of a Variable-Refrigerant Volume (VRV) mechanical system which is 20-25% more efficient than the industry baseline established by ASHRAE 90.1. The system was bid as an alternate and ended up less expensive in first-cost and in operating costs than a traditional 4-pipe mechanical system.  The anticipated power savings per month over a traditional system is approximately $1400 per month.  In addition, the Owner is saving approximately $140/month on water usage due to low flow fixtures.  Overall, the Owner is spending about the same on their utilities that they were in their previous facility that was approximately half the size of their new facility.

Mechanical Engineer Brad Wallace with the VRV condensing units
This facility has become an engineering showpiece in the Indianapolis community. It is a model for high-performance design and a great example of the impact sustainable design can have on a project. 

news
April 2010 - Sustainable Stan Award Winner
Congratulations to Dave Massingale, Schmidt Associates' Facilities Manager. Schmidt Associates has been making a concerted effort to integrate sustainable practices into their operations. These efforts need to supported by everyone in the company and be enforced. Dave has been integral to these efforts.


Schmidt Associates has been tracking its waste diversion since February 2009. We have achieved an amazing 76.9% diversion rate. The majority of our waste stream is paper.  Schmidt Associates recycles 90.6% of its paper which has equated to 22,389 pounds since we started tracking - that's 11 tons if you do the math.  Dave has personally carried this recycling out of the office and to the recycling bin across the street.  We are waiting for Dave to release his first fitness videos.  
When you see Dave, make sure to thank him for all of the hard work he does behinds the scenes that make Schmidt Associates a leader in sustainability.


2030 Challenge Update
The strategies to meet the 2030  Challenge identified in last month's Update have been incorporated in the firm's Strategic Goals for the next year. The Sustainability Committee is now working hard to accomplish some of these goals for the next Office advance in June.
By the June Advance the Committee is planning to have the following things accomplished:


  • Draft of Sustainability Policy to review
  • An updated and more useful Sharepoint Sustainability Page 
  • Monthly StanMail blasts - DONE (You're looking at it)
  • Develop strategy for converting our LEED-APs to LEED AP+.
  • LEED Bootcamp  (see events below)
  • Incorporate Sustainability Meeting into orientation
  • Update project kick-off meeting and BIM execution plan to integrate sustainability
  • Create a case study prototype 
  • Establish office standards for building envelope
  • Develop a Sustainability Marketing Brochure
  • Submit plan to AIA and 2030 - DONE
  • Other miscellaneous items
We'll give a report on the success of these items at the Advance. 

Plant swap success
This year plant swap was not as visible as in year's past. This year Stan coordinated efforts of all participants with email to allow everyone the opportunity to make their trades on their own timelines
Stan Points
I'm sure many of you are aware of the Stan Points system that we have used in the past to encourage participation in our sustainable activities. Well although we have not been reporting them well over the past few months, the Stan Points system is still alive and active. Every time you are involved in a Stan Activity (Plant Swap day, LEED Lunches, etc.) you are awarded a Stan point. When an individual accumulates 10 points they will be awarded a Stan prize (more details to follow later).  The Stan Points totals are always available for viewing via the Sustainability Sharepoint page (look at the bottom of the page).  Check to see how you are doing - if you think Stan Points should be awarded for other activities make sure to let us know.


events
LEED Bootcamp
May 17 through May 21. Bootcamp will focus on preparing participants for the LEED BD+C exam. Each class will provide 2 HSW/SD credits towards AIA Continuing Education.  All classes will be in the Forum - most participants are already signed up (and will have lunch provided to them) - however if you would like to attend on your own you are welcome - BYOL.  Each day of bootcamp will feature a USGBC webinar and be followed by a quiz. The Boot Camp agenda is as follows:
Monday 5/17 11:00, Sustainable Sites
Tuesday 5/18 11:00, Water Efficiency and Innovation in Design
Wednesday 5/19 10:00, Energy & Atmosphere
Thursday 5/20 11:00, Materials and Resources
Friday 5/21 11:00, Indoor Environmental Quality


Bike-to-Work Day
Friday, May 21 - see the link below for info from the City on Bike-to-work day. Challenge your co-workers to ride in. Stan Point will be given to all who Bike in and the person who logs the most miles may receive a special award.
Bicycle Indiana


opinion