Sweetwater Case Study⁽²⁾

On June 26, 2011, Sweetwater’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certification was recognized at a special ceremony where the award and certificate were presented to Sweetwater Founder and President, Chuck Surack, by Fort Wayne, Indiana, Mayor Tom Henry and Liz Ellis, representative of the Indiana Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. This was the first award given in the State of Indiana for a commercial building. Present at the ceremony were representatives for the USGBC, representatives from Senator Richard Lugar’s local office, several city council members, and representatives from Corporate Construction and MSKTD, the construction company and architectural firm responsible for Sweetwater’s LEED Platinum Certification success.

Rapidly Renewable Materials

Every effort was made to use rapidly renewable materials—products derived from plants that are harvested within a 10-year or shorter cycle, including cork, bamboo, pine, and okan wood. For example, the sales manager offices were constructed of bamboo.

Glass

Insulated, heat-treated glass is used on the east, south, and west building faces to reduce solar heat gain and limit the cooling load placed on the building’s mechanical systems. The heat-fused coating on the glass also reduces glare to improve the comfort of building occupants.

Light Sensors

Sensors throughout the building respond to natural light levels and occupancy, automatically adjusting the amount of light as necessary. In some instances, occupancy sensors detect the presence of people and turn on the lights as they pass through the halls or enter rooms.

Roof Membrane

The buildings feature a highly reflective white roof membrane that reduces solar heat gain.

Insulation

Insulation was added to the roof to increase energy efficiency.

Daylight and Views

Windows and skylights throughout the building help to reduce or eliminate the need for electric lighting, creating a stimulating and productive environment. Eighty percent of the building has access to sunlight. Sensors are integrated to increase or decrease the amount of light in the building as it changes throughout the day.

Recycling

Recycling reduces waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. Shredded paper and cardboard boxes are reused in the warehouse for packing and shipping orders.

Construction-Waste Management

Throughout the construction process, materials were sorted to identify items that could be reused or sent back to the manufacturers.

Recycled Content of Materials

At the onset of construction, an older building stood on-site. When parts of the building were demolished, 98% of the total waste materials, such as concrete, plastic, wood, and glass, was recycled. Construction materials were carefully selected to ensure that recycled content would be used wherever possible. Carpet, fabric, and steel throughout the facility contribute to the total recycled percentage of 31.4%.

Regional Materials

More than 44% of the building’s materials, such as steel, stone, stone cladding, drywall, insulation, and doors, was extracted, harvested, recovered, or manufactured within 500 miles of the project site. All the warehouse’s structural steel and panels were manufactured just north of Fort Wayne; the stone that clad the new recording studio and auditorium spaces was quarried in Glenmont, Ohio.

Water Use Reduction

Sweetwater’s restrooms employ water conservation strategies, resulting in a 40% efficiency increase and reducing the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems. Waterless urinals, low-flow/automatic faucets, and dual-flush toilets all contribute to water savings.

Certified Wood

At least 50% of the wood-based products used in the facility are certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council’s Principles and Criteria. These components include structural framing, flooring, subflooring, wood doors, and finishes.

Low-Emitting Materials

Low-emitting materials are those that emit zero or minimum pollutant into the environment. Wherever possible, these materials were used to eliminate odorless indoor air contaminants that are irritating or harmful to the occupants. All adhesives and sealants used on the interior of the building comply with standards for air quality control. Low Volatile Organic Compound materials including carpet, paints, coatings, glues, sealants, and wood products free of urea-formaldehyde resin were specified to ensure compliance with air-quality measures.

Building Flushing

Prior to occupancy, the building air was flushed to reduce/eliminate harmful vapors and toxins that may have been left behind after the construction was completed.

Ice Storage

During off-peak overnight hours, ice storage tanks on the campus produce ice for the mechanical system’s cooling needs, reducing overall power consumption and the load on the utility grid. The cost of this system will be offset in annual energy savings within five years.

Commissioning of Mechanical Systems

The mechanical systems were commissioned and carefully analyzed by specialists throughout the design process. Energy modeling, through testing and balancing of different components, was calculated to improve efficiency.

Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring

Air monitoring systems, designed to help sustain occupant health and comfort, are integrated into the building. This system regulates indoor air quality, introducing fresh outdoor air as necessary, to flush out contaminants that may be present.

Tobacco Smoke Control

The entire campus inside and out is smoke free to minimize exposure of building occupants, indoor surfaces, and ventilation systems to tobacco smoke.

References

⁽¹⁾ http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/GREENBUILDING/Basics.htm#What.

Other videos

The Sustainable Building Center, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7XZAc2CD6s&feature=related