Our Top 5 Sustainable Projects this Year

KU School of Business | Lawrence, KS - New Construction - 166,000 SF

Conscious Site Design - Sensitive site development and native landscaping
Transit Oriented Development - Public transportation access with bus stop right at building and bike racks
Passive Lighting - Daylighting and views
Passive Heating/Cooling - Efficient window systems and glazing
Passive Cooling - Green roof outside Dean’s suite
Active Energy Efficiency - Occupancy sensors on lighting and LED fixtures in select locations
Active Energy Efficiency - Energy-efficient HVAC design with modeled energy use approximately 32% better than ASHRAE 90.1 2007
Active Water Efficiency - Water usage reviewed with low flow fixtures in restrooms
Active Energy Monitoring - Commissioning of building systems
Pro-Recycling - Key locations of recycling centers
Eco-Materials - Specified low-VOC emitting materials as well as materials with recycled content

UMB Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ - New Construction - 4,000 SF

Conscious Site Design - Palette of exterior materials, sugar cube limestone, cast-in-place concrete, slate, glass and metal panels, give the building scale and a presence of its own on the site
Passive Heating/Cooling - Energy-efficient program design and space planning
Passive Heating/Cooling - Building oriented to maximize solar productivity
Passive Lighting - Interiors and materials designed to create openness in public areas
Passive Lighting - Daylighting and views
Active Heating/Cooling - Photovoltaic panels to offset energy consumption

Cottey College | Nevada, MO - New Building - 30,000 SF

Conscious Site Design - An open courtyard in front pays tribute to its donors in a special recognition plaza
Passive Heating/Cooling - Energy-efficient design program design and space planning
Passive Lighting - A large communicating atrium will allow for an abundance of natural sunlight
Active Heating/Cooling - Photovoltaic panels for solar power generation
Active Heating/Cooling - Energy-efficient HVAC design

Village Church Child & Family Development Center | Overland Park, KS - New Building - 48,000 SF

Conscious Site Design - Extensive nature explore play area construction adjacent to classrooms
Transit Oriented Development - Currently working with KCPL to install (2) EV fueling stations on site with the Church paying for the power to charge vehicles in an initial use period.
Passive Lighting - Daylighting and views
Active Heating/Cooling - 51 module 15KW photovoltaic installation to be installed in conjunction with the currently specified 120 gallon solar hot water system. Photovoltaic system designed to accommodate an ultimate build out of a 222 panel 80KW system. The system is designed with electric panel and disconnects to accommodate the final 80 KW system. The panels themselves utilize state of the art micro inverters that allow the system to expand on a per panel basis. The Church is working on plans to provide members with a giving opportunity to add the panels individually at a palatable giving amount.
Active Energy Monitoring - The PV panels can be monitored individually with a smart phone app so that the performance of the panels can be tracked by the individuals that have funded them. It could function like an adopt a panel program.

Mission Hills Country Club l Mission Hills, Kansas - New Addition - 12,160 SF Renovation/5,000 SF

The addition is a long and narrow building, allowing us to utilize daylighting throughout the entire space.
The building is oriented with the longer facades facing southeast and northwest. This allows us to utilize the lower morning sun early in the day while blocking the majority of the harsh western sun in the evening.
There are large deciduous trees on the west side of the building that provide evening shade in the summer and allow sunlight to warm the building in winter.
The majority of the glazing on the building faces southeast, which is great for optimizing both the amount of usable daylight and it provides great views out to the surrounding landscape.
The addition sits with its long axis close to the swimming pool, which allows us to take advantage of the evaporative cooling effect off the water.
Building Envelope
High efficiency glazing.
Continuous insulation provided.
Building envelope designed to exceed energy code standards.
Exterior sun shades along south façade.
Cross ventilation provided in several areas.
Motorized MechoShades on all windows to provide additional control of hard sunlight and reflective glare off of pool.

MEP
- A highly efficient mechanical system will be installed. It will provide supply air near the windows along the building envelope to help combat heat gain/loss at the source.

From Sustainability to Savings

WHY GREEN DESIGN IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND GREAT FOR OUR CLIENTS

In conversations around the world and across industries, environmentally-conscious decision-making continues to materialize as the heart of innovation, cost-saving, and responsible practice. We have been at the forefront of this discussion for many years.

That tradition continues as we give great consideration to how our clients can capitalize on the aspects of sustainability and green design and engaging clients early on in the design process.

According to http://www.usgbc.org/articles/business-case-green-building, research studies show:

Green Buildings are Cost Effective

Owners of green buildings reported that their ROI improved by an average of 19.2% for existing building green projects and an average of 9.9% for new projects.
Operating costs decreased by 13.6% for new construction and 8.5% for existing building projects.
Building value increased by 10.9% for new construction and 6.8% for existing building projects.
Increased asset valuation: New green building projects 5%; Green building retrofits 4%.

On our team, Andy Meyer, Ben Allers, Joel Marquardt, Melissa Brown, Kathy Burke, Steve McGuire, John Price and Kirk Gastinger have all earned LEED AP certification. Additionally, all of our designers incorporate LEED and sustainability principles into their designs.

Our LEED Certified Buildings

Green Buildings Attract Tenants

Buildings with lower operating costs and better indoor environmental quality are more attractive to a growing group of corporate, public and individual buyers. The new Class A office space is green; lease-up rates for green buildings typically range from average to 20 percent above average.

Green Buildings Provide Better Health Standards for Commercial Building Tenants

Improved lighting design leads to a 27% reduction in the incidence of headaches, which accounts for 0.7% of the overall cost of employee health insurance. This equals approximately $70 per employee annually.
In terms of health care costs, building retrofits which improved the indoor environment of a building resulted in reductions of: communicable respiratory diseases of 9-20%; allergies and asthma of 18-25%; and non-specific health and discomfort effects of 20-50%.”

While the complete list of projects that exemplify our commitment is extensive, here are a few specific examples of our sustainable, efficient design:

ENERGY SAVINGS

Kansas City Art Institute, Dodge Painting Building, Kansas City, MO

In our climate region, educational buildings average a total of 69 kBtu/sf/yr.
Through the use of a compact floor plan to classroom proportion; excellent insulation; a judicious use of glazing areas; and modular mechanical equipment (for ease of zoning the building for different days and time of the year), the Dodge Painting Building averages only 20 kBtu/sf/yr.
Annual energy savings of 73.3%!jg

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Wildcat Glades and Audubon Center, Joplin, MO

The center is oriented for optimum solar efficiency and all spaces have access to natural lighting.
The passive solar design, ground source heat pumps and well insulated walls teach visitors about conservation.
A growing green roof system was planted with no maintenance plants and the parking lot is paved with permeable asphalt, keeping rainwater runoff to a minimum.
Bioswales located on the property catch the small amount of runoff and keep the glades free from human contaminants.

PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION, MATERIALS, PLANNING

UMB, Phoenix, AZ

Roof top solar array creating 55,000 kWh (kilowatt-hour) annually, equal to annual building use.
Low-flow plumbing fixtures, 35% water use reduction.
75% recycled or salvaged construction waste.
20% recycled content, regional materials.
The building was developed under highly restrictive development guidelines that required the specific uses of building materials, glazing, finishes, site circulation and orientation.

As a forward-thinking architectural practice, we are committed to providing high-quality service and life-cycle cost-saving designs to our clients, grounded in the basics of energy conservation. It is our goal to be current in the latest technologies and tools for green buildings so we may help clients make well-informed and educated decisions.

How can we help you with your next “green" design?