July 2012

project of the month
Hoosier Energy Operations Center

Schmidt Associates has been working with Hoosier Energy in Bloomington for approximately 18 months to create a well-defined, long term plan that addressed their operational needs.  The long range plan was focused on preserving the mission and vision of the organization, getting input from all impacted workforce, looking at upgrades to the facility to address current maintenance needs and future growth, and anticipating the short and long-term impacts of the new I-69 corridor on the Hoosier Energy staff and operations.

From this plan, Hoosier Energy has decided to relocate their Operations Group to a new site in Owen County.  The new 90-acre site will have an small office building to house system control and the design and planning groups and a warehouse facility that will also accommodate many of their repair and maintenance need.

Hoosier Energy is committed to creating energy efficient facilities.  As part of this project, Hoosier Energy has decided to pursue an Energy Star rating on both buildings to ensure that clear goals are set for the design and construction team and that will allow Hoosier Energy to monitor and clearly communicate their energy savings to their Board.

In order to hit the targets outlined by Energy Star, Hoosier Energy is looking at using a VRV mechanical system, radiant floor heating in tempered warehouse spaces, LED lighting, improved insulation values on the exterior of the building, and a white membrane roof on the warehouse.
  

news
June Sustainable Stan Award Winner

Congratulations to Seth Mathis for winning the Sustainable Stan Award this month. Seth recently passed the LEED Building Design and Construction (BD+C) Accreditation exam.  Seth was previously a LEED Green Associate (GA). In lieu of fulfilling all of the credentialing maintenance requirements for the LEED-GA  Seth decided to go back in and test to become a full fledged LEED AP. Make sure to Congratulate Seth next time you see him.

Energy Star National Building Competition 2013
Schmidt Associates will once again be participating in the Energy Star National Building competition. This will be the 3rd year EPA has sponsored this competition. Schmidt Associates was one of 245 national competitors last year. During the competition, Schmidt Associates was able to reduce its energy usage by up to 15% compared to the previous year (see the November 2011 Stan Journal for a summary).   Over the past year, Schmidt Associates has maintained its energy savings efforts and monitoring, and hopes to be a stronger contender in this year's competition. 

Schmidt Associates has maintained (and exceeded at times) it's 15% energy reduction compared to the previous year.  However, the summer months will likely see a spike due to the excessive heat Indianapolis has been experiencing.
opinion

I dabbled with trying to shift the format of this Journal to have shorter articles that were more frequent.  The shorter articles were nice, but the more frequent part proved difficult for to keep up with.  Therefore we'll be shifting back to our once a month Sustainable Stan Journal update. We hope you won't mind.

If you have any news you'd like to share, please contact us.

Sincerely,

June 2012-1

news

Bike-to-Workers:

Stan wanted to recognize all of the Schmidt staff who biked to work in the month of May. For their efforts, they each received a gift certificate to the local Subway. 
Some stats on the May 18, Bike to Work Day, from IndyCOG:

• Approximately 500-600 people attended the event downtown
• 744 bicyclists registered their commutes (529 was previous record from 2011)
• 142 were new or first-time commuters
• 395 commuters invited new riders with them (we'll assume since the numbers don't add up with the first-time -commuters that the new commuters forgot to register)
• The registered commuters rode ~13,155 miles (round-trip)
• 28 commuters utilized IndyGo for at least part of their commute
• Over half of the registered commuters did not belong to INDYCOG, CIBA, Bicycle Indiana or HMBA. (All we can say is support your local advocacy group!)
• 20 people attended the Lunch & Learn on bicycle commuting hosted by Indiana State Department of Health
• 397 companies registered for the Corporate Challenge sponsored by BGI

 Bike-to-Workers from Schmidt Associates:

Eric Broemel - Mechanical

Eric Nicholas - Mechanical Intern

Craig Flandermeyer - Site/Sustainability

Steve Schaecher - Architecture

Steve Sturm - Information

Brad Wallace - Mechanical

Zach Wininger - Architectural Intern

May 2012-1: Bike to Work Day

Bike to Work Day 2012 this week:

Friday, May 18 is National Bike to Work Day. So dust off that 2-wheeler, get some exercise, and save the gas.  The city and other organizations are sponsoring some organized activities.  See the link below for details:

http://www.theindycog.com/events/bike-to-work-day-2012

Actually, if you can't work it out for Friday, any day this week, or even this month, will work. Make sure to let someone in the Sustainability Committee know you biked in (and provide some sort of proof) and Stan will treat you with a gift card.  See you on the road.

April 2012-2: Urban Garden

news

Schmidt  Associates starts urban garden

To celebrate Earth Day in 2012, Schmidt Associates' workers started an urban garden located on the roof of the building.  The garden is an expansion of the green roof area the office has had in place for the last 7 years.  For the urban garden, employees brought in their favorite fruits and vegetables to grow this year either from seed or from starter sprouts.  Having a garden located at the office allows the workers to monitor the plants more frequently.  It is also expected that there will be less weeding involved due to the rooftop location. 

Depending on the harvest yield, the vegetables produced by the garden may be sold at a mini farmer's market as a fund raiser for charity.  If the garden proves successful this year, there is the possibility for expansion in the future. If the vegetables sell well at the market, there might even be an office tractor on the horizon.

April 2012-1: Energy

news

Schmidt  Associates energy use update

It has been 6 months since the 2011 National Building Competition was completed. Since that time, Schmidt Associates has continued to keep its energy use in focus.  Electricity usage is monitored and communicated to the office, it is also compared to the previous year's usage and a -20% reduction goal.  The National Building Competition helped kickoff the efforts to reduce the office's footprint.  

Here's a look at the current office metrics.

MONTHLY ENERGY USAGE UP TO MARCH 2012

When the National Building Competition started, Schmidt Associates Energy Star Rating was 60.  After the competition, it rose to 70, allowing the Schmidt Associates office to qualify for LEED-EB certification (min. 69 required). For those of you unfamiliar with Energy Star Ratings, the score is based on a 100 point scale and is comparative to neighboring facilities (like a percentage score).

Schmidt Associates has actually exceeded their 20% reduction goal during winter months.  Recently, March showed a spike back up (only a -5% compared to previous year) due to the abnormally warm weather that was experienced. The cooling mode for the office is currently the biggest energy user.   

A LOOK AT APRIL'S FIRST WEEK ENERGY USE

Keep up the good work Schmidt Associates. As the summer months approach, we may look into adjusting the thermostat set points to make the office less chilly and evenly distributed.  If you have any ideas on other ways the office could reduce the energy use spike in the summer that we have been experiencing, let us know.

Thanks,

March 2012-2: February Stan Award

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February Sustainable Stan award Winner

The winner of the Sustainable Stan Award in February 2012 was Kevin Shelley, AIA, LEED AP BD+C.  Kevin is the Project Manager for several Ball State projects (Dehority Complex, Studebaker East Residence Hall -currently in construction, and upcoming Johnson A Residence Hall). 


The Dehority complex was the first Ball State project to achieve LEED certification (it achieved Silver in February 2010). The Studebaker East and Johnson A Residence Halls are also expected to achieve a minimum of LEED silver certification.  To achieve such high performing design requires a thorough understanding of the facilities' systems and environment, not only for the Design Team but for the Owner as well.  
Schmidt Associates make a conscientiousness effort to keep its staff educated  on a variety of subjects including sustainable design, through a continuing education program they developed called Schmidt Academy. Last month, Kevin was instrumental in taking Schmidt Academy on the road and informing Ball State users of the benefits of sustainable design in their projects.  Using the Studebaker East project as a case study, the presentation addressed the benefits of the chilled beam HVAC system, and the solar studies that were used to help address daylighting in spaces, as well as other ways the project achieved LEED credits.


The projects themselves help educate the users and the public on sustainability, but Kevin's efforts to bridge the gap between the built environment and thought behind the design really connects the users with the project.  Kevin is highly deserving of the coveted Sustainable Stan Award for his work with Ball State University. Congratulations Mr. Shelley. 

March 2012-1: UnderSTANding LEED

news
Sustainable Stan Journal reformatting
Are you tired of waiting an entire month (sometimes even more) to get your fill of the Sustainable Stan Journal? Don't bother responding, we know you are.  To address this issue (and other issues you may not be aware of), we have decided to issue pieces of the Journal in smaller bites spread out throughout each month.  So what does that mean, you ask? It means the Sustainable Stan Journal posts will be more frequent, but they will not be as long.  We will still try to maintain the typical segments - project of the month, news, and opinion - throughout a month's time.


This took a while to decide, and that is why we have missed the month of February this year (that, and it doesn't have as many days). So I would like to apologize for the missed month. Hopefully you will appreciate the new format and visit more often.


To start off this month, we have an interesting article regarding synthetic turf.
Enjoy,

                                                                                                                      .                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

UnderSTANding LEED:

Synthetic Turf is Greener than it Looks

by Kyle Miller, PE, LEED AP BD+C

Synthetic Turf is MUCH MORE than a Good Economic Choice
Football fields have been going green lately - that is green as in sustainable and good for the environment. We all think back to the Friday night high school football game or the cool Saturday afternoon college games. We can also associate green with the color of the field, or the color of the stains on the uniforms, or even the smell of the freshly mowed field. However, over the past decade, synthetic turf athletic fields have started to emerge all over the world - and not just for football. The original idea was a more durable, long-lasting field that could withstand hours of play in all weather conditions without a worry of wearing out the grass. The initial costs of these fields were high, but the economic payback would be much higher. Today, many sports at all levels are played on synthetic turf. These primarily include football, soccer, baseball, field hockey, lacrosse, rugby, and tennis. In some instances, homeowners and businesses have even replaced their grass lawns with synthetic turf.

With care for our environment becoming perhaps as important as the economics, now there is another reason to choose a synthetic turf field over the traditional grass field. Synthetic turf surfaces of the past were merely carpets on top of a concrete slab. The industry has come a long way recently, and the “new” synthetic turf fields offer many environmental benefits - even though they involve plastic and rubber!

The Basics
The basic design of a modern synthetic turf field includes a compacted subgrade, drainage tiles, stone base, backing pad, synthetic fibers, and infill material. The object is to replicate a natural turf field as closely as possible - in feel, play, and appearance. While a variety of colors are available (we have all seen blue at Boise State), green is the most widely used.

Environmental Benefits
Of course there are many other benefits (primarily use time and economics) to choosing synthetic turf in lieu of natural turf. However, there are also many environmental benefits as well:

·         Elimination harmful pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, and herbicides.

·         Eliminates the need for mowing and aeration, conserving fuel and reducing pollution.

·         Removes grass clippings and thousands of tires from landfills.

·         Eliminates the need for irrigation systems, and drastically reduces the need for water.

·         Materials are 100% reclaimable and recyclable.

·         Storm water drains directly and quickly through the synthetic turf system, reducing surface drainage issues often associated with natural turf fields.

·         The issues of “lead” and “excessive” heat have been associated with these fields over the years; however, manufacturers have proactively adjusted their materials and systems to eliminate these concerns.

·         Natural turf fields that are not properly constructed and regularly maintained cause more injuries that synthetic turf systems which require minimal maintenance.

LEED Credits

Synthetic turf fields and lawns can contribute to the following LEED credits:

WE Credit 1.1:   Water Efficient Landscaping: Reduce by 50%

WE Credit 1.2:   Water Efficient Landscaping: No Potable Water Use or No Irrigation

MR Credit 2.1:   Construction Waste Management: Divert 50% from Disposal

MR Credit 2.2:   Construction Waste Management: Divert 75% from Disposal

MR Credit 3.1:   Materials Reuse: 5%

MR Credit 3.2:   Materials Reuse: 10%

MR Credit 4.1:   Recycled Content: 10% (post-consumer + ½ pre-consumer)

MR Credit 4.2:   Recycled Content: 20% (post-consumer + ½ pre-consumer)

MR Credit 5.1:   Regional Materials: 10% Extracted, Processed, & Manufactured Regionally

MR Credit 5.2:   Regional Materials: 20% Extracted, Processed, & Manufactured Regionally


Synthetic turf fields have become a viable option for fields when weighing the maintenance and upkeep of conventional natural turf fields.  Although first costs may discourage some Owners from looking into these fields, life-cycle costing may demonstrate the savings these fields provide in the long run.  

January 2012

project of the month
Ivy Tech Fall Creek 

The Ivy Tech Fall Creek building had its ribbon cutting ceremony on January 20. The opening of the project marks 5 years of design and construction efforts for this landmark facility. The project involved reuse and restoration of 64,000 square feet of the old St. Vincent's Hospital originally constructed in 1911 that had been under-utilized for the last 30 years (see the before/after photos below for the dramatic impact). The total square footage for the project is just over 200,000.

Original picture of St. Vincent's Hospital

The project is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification. Contributing points to earn this level of certification will be the great urban location of the building and the reuse of the existing structure.  The largest contributor though, is the high efficiency VRV (Variable Refrigerant Volume) mechanical system being used for the facility. This system is expected to be a 15% improvement over the standards set by ASHRAE 90.1 - 1997.

Grand Staircase - before

Grand Staircase - after

Ivy Tech should be commended for salvaging such a historic structure in Indianapolis, and making it a valuable asset to the community once again.  The project will serve as the flagship for Ivy Tech's Indianapolis campus which has grown by more than 35,000 students. It really raises the bar to a new level for facilities in the area and across the state.

news
Schmidt Associates energy reduction efforts

Schmidt Associates made great strides in 2011 to reduce the energy expended in their daily activities. They used Energy Star's National Building Competition as a launching point to challenge employees to change their behaviors and to provide some office improvements focused on reducing energy use.  The goal established was to reduce by 20%. I am happy to report that the office ended 2011 with a reduction of -23.44% compared to 2010. The National Building competition ended last fall, but Schmidt Associates has continued to monitor and look for ways to improve its energy efficiency.  Keep up the good work.

What is VRV?
As mentioned above in the Ivy Tech Fall Creek update, a key component to achieving LEED Silver for that facility will be the use of the VRV mechanical system. VRV (variable refrigerant volume) or sometimes referred to as VRF (variable refrigerant flow) is not a new system, but it has taken awhile to catch on in the United States.  VRV uses refrigerant liquid as the cooling/heating medium, and allows one outdoor condensing unit to be connected to multiple indoor evaporators. Each indoor evaporator is controllable by its user, varying the amount of refrigerant being sent to it.  By operating at varying speeds, VRF only works at the rates needed.   Heat recovery VRV allows indoor units to heat and cool as required, while the compressor benefits from the internal heat recovery.  Energy savings for these systems can be up to 55% over comparable unit systems.  Ductwork sizes are often reduced because conditioned air is not being routed throughout the building, which could also lead to smaller plenum spaces, and potentially reduce the height of the building if designed appropriately.

Overall it has proven to be a highly efficient alternative to traditional 4-pipe HVAC systems, resulting in reduced installation and operational costs.



opinion
This week the NFL has invaded Indianapolis for it's annual championship game. The transformation of the downtown area over the last few weeks, and really the last year, has been monumental.  It is an impressive site, and, as an Indianapolis resident, a source of pride. This is a great opportunity for Indianapolis to be noticed in the national spotlight. 

                                                                                                                                                                       photo by Duane Dart

Indianapolis's sustainable virtues are what gives it an advantage as host to the game. The proximity of the downtown to the stadium and entertainment is unmatched by other large cities. The entire experience becomes truly pedestrian. The hotels, village, convention center and stadium are all interconnected with a series of skywalks and tunnels that will be invaluable in inclement weather.  


The NFL has also ramped up its efforts to green the game and surrounding events. Below is a clip from the NFL on their green initiatives:


SUPER BOWL XLVI ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

The NFL Environmental Program has developed a series of initiatives to minimize the impact of Super Bowl activities on the local and global environment. Environmental projects are developed in partnership with the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee and local, state and national organizations.

These initiatives include:

Solid Waste Management/Recycling -- Comprehensive solid waste management at major NFL event facilities. This project diverts waste from local landfills through recycling and reusing potential waste materials. Sites include Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center (100 South Capitol Ave.), and the hotels serving as team headquarters, NFL headquarters and the Motorola Super Bowl Media Center. In addition, Pepsi is providing recycling bins for the NFL Experience and the Lucas Oil Stadium.

Prepared Food Recovery -- Extra prepared food from Super Bowl XLVI events will be collected for donation in partnership with Second Helpings, an Indianapolis-based non profit community kitchen and food rescue agency. Food recovered through this effort will go to soup kitchens, shelters and other local organizations that provide meals to those in need.

Materials Donation -- Decorative materials, building materials, office supplies and other reusable items will be recovered and donated to local nonprofit organizations. Some materials are appropriate for reuse while others will be used as fund raising auction items or remanufactured into new products.

Sports Equipment and Book Donation Project -- The Super Kids-Super Sharing Sports Equipment and Book Donation project was developed in partnership with the Indianapolis Colts, the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee, Martin University and Greater Indianapolis public and private schools. Local students are bringing gently used or new books, sports equipment and school supplies to their schools. These items will be collected then donated to pre-selected local schools and organizations serving children in need. On Thursday, Jan. 19, media is invited to Martin University (2171 Avondale Pl.), where hundreds of students and coordinators will bring donated items between 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders and mascot will attend the event and take part in a brief thank you ceremony with NFL officials at 10:30 a.m. (Best photo opportunities will be from 9:45-11:00 a.m.).

Climate Change Initiative -- Steps being taken to reduce the overall greenhouse gas impact of Super Bowl activities and events include:

» Use of renewable energy certificates to provide "green" power for major Super Bowl XLVI event venues including Lucas Oil Stadium, the Motorola Super Bowl Media Center, NFL Super Bowl headquarters, the NFL Experience and the AFC and NFC team hotels.

» Use of carbon offset credits to address the transportation emissions created by Super Bowl team travel. These offsets will cover both air and ground travel for both Super Bowl teams.

» Incorporation of solar power into the Rebuilding Together community project as part of the overall Near East Side Legacy Project. The renewable energy, solar power and travel offset projects are made possible through a partnership with Green Mountain Energy

» The planting of several thousand trees in local neighborhoods in partnership with the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful as part of the overall "greening" of Super Bowl XLVI.

If you enjoy football or not, the transformation of our city to cater such a grand event has raised the bar. It usually takes a great challenge for people to show their capabilities,much the way sustainable design challenged the building industry to improve building performance. Although it can be painful at times to adjust to the challenge, in the end you have the proof that you have succeeded.

Enjoy the game,