| BVH Integrated Services Volume 1 • Issue 1 |
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CT's First LEED Platinum Certified Building
Yale University's new $52 million Sculpture Building and Gallery has achieved LEED Platinum Certification by the United States Green Building Council, and recently received a Top Ten Green Award from the AIA Committee on the Environment.As part of the design team, BVH Integrated Services, providing civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection design, worked closely with the architect, Kieran Timberlake Associates, the contractor, Shawmut Design and Construction, and the environmental building consultant, Atelier Ten, to devise an energy-efficiency strategy for this glass clad building. The new sculpture complex, which also includes a parking garage, occupies an entire city block within Yale's art district.
Designed for energy efficiency and maximum use of light, special energy-saving features include a high-performance curtain wall that works in conjunction with a super-efficient, low-velocity air diffusion system; transparent glass panels, some of which open for natural ventilation; and a solar shading system that reduces heat gain by about 30 percent. Occupancy sensors are also located throughout the building, which automatically turn lights off or on according to pre-set levels.
Indoor air quality measures include operable windows in the studio spaces, an exhaust system that ensures removal of airborne irritants in the woodshop, spray booth and metalworking shop areas, and an air monitoring system to ensure that hazardous materials are not introduced on the studio levels and re-circulated through the building.Exposed concrete slabs reduce the demand on heating and cooling systems and help store recovered heat in the winter. The high-performance glazing and insulated walls further reduce heating and cooling demands. Operable windows allow the building to be naturally ventilated in spring and fall, reducing fan loads and providing surplus ventilation capacity while connecting occupants to the external environment. A displacement ventilation system supplies at low velocities and higher-than-usual temperatures, reducing energy use for heating and cooling. The building also features premium-efficiency motors and high-efficiency hot-water condensing boilers.
Another "green" feature of this project includes a vegetated roof area. Storm water is collected from the roof of the main Sculpture Building and surrounding landscape which is used for flushing the toilets. Waterless urinals and low flow toilets significantly reduce the amount of water used on a daily basis. Calculations indicate that water use has been reduced by 167 percent through the use of low flow water fixtures and rainwater harvesting.
Many other sustainable features were included in the planning, design and construction of this project.
• Developed on a Brownfield site, remediation measures included soil removal and disposal.
• A full garbage and waste recycling room is located on the ground floor.
• Careful attention was paid to the use of local materials during the construction.
• During construction, 92% of the total building waste was recycled.
• Paneling in the building is made from 100% post consumer recycled newspapers.
• Located on a bus line, public transportation is available to users of the building. Bicycle
racks are also available for those that ride their bikes to the new building.
• Preferred parking is provided for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles.
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New CT LEED Legislation
The recent Public Act 07-242 in the Connecticut Legislature will significantly affect the energy efficiency requirements for new and renovated buildings after January 2009. This act has two sections, requiring revisions to the State Building Code and also requiring projects receiving State reimbursement to improve energy standards to comply with the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standards.First, the act requires the State Codes & Standards Committee to amend the 2005 State Building Code and State Fire Safety Code to reflect a much higher standard for energy efficiency requirements. Beginning in January 2009, the revision to the State Building Code will require that building construction standards be consistent with LEED Silver standards for new commercial construction projects (over $5 million). In January 2010, required consistency with LEED Silver standards will be extended to major renovation projects (over $2 million). The requirements apply to both private and public sector projects, other than residential buildings up to four units. If the Institute for Sustainable Energy (www.easternct.edu/depts/sustainenergy/) finds that the costs for adhering to the new standards significantly outweighs the benefits, the Codes and Standards Committee can provide for an exemption.
Secondly, for buildings receiving State reimbursement, the act mandates that any project with at least $2 million in state funding complies with LEED Silver standards or higher. Beginning January 1, 2008, this includes renovations to all state facilities. After January 1, 2009, these requirements will expand to include both new school construction projects that cost over $5 million and school renovation projects costing at least $2 million. Prior law in 2007 required LEED Silver standards for new state facilities costing $5 million or more, but did not include school projects.
Due to these new requirements, a working knowledge of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standards for green building design will be valuable as the legislation goes forward. Further information about LEED is available at www.usgbc.org.
Other important changes to the 2008 State Building Code and State Fire Safety Code are related to: egress path marking; changes to sprinkler and fire alarm systems; and grease interceptor requirements.
Links to the 2008 Amendments to the 2005 State Building Code are posted on the DPS web site.
For additional information regarding changes to the State Building Code, please contact George Iskra, President of BVH Integrated Services and a member of the State Codes and Standards Committee at (860) 286-9171 or email at georgei@bvhis.com.
BVH is committed to the LEED design process and has many LEED accredited professionals on staff. BVH has also provided design and commissioning services on several of the initial LEED-certified building projects in the State, including the Yale Sculpture Building and Gallery (LEED Platinum), ECSU South Residential Village (LEED Certified), UConn Burton Family Football Complex (LEED Silver), and Barnard Environmental Magnet School (LEED Gold).
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Alan Vanags, PE Promoted to Vice President
BVH Integrated Services, Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion ofAlan K. Vanags, P.E., to Vice President. In his new position, Mr. Vanags will serve as Principal and will be involved in the overall management of the firm.
Alan Vanags has 22 years of design and project management experience at BVH. His portfolio includes higher education projects, healthcare facilities, and destination resorts. Mr. Vanags has also worked on numerous comprehensive campus electrical infrastructure replacements and upgrade projects, and he has developed a specialty in understanding the important phasing issues as well as campus standards and aesthetic concerns.
Currently, Mr. Vanags is working on the design of a high-tech electrical system for Quinnipiac University's York Hill Campus, including a microturbine and stand-by power generation with demand limiting controls. Other current clients include Yale University, Wellesley College and University of Massachusetts.
Mr. Vanags is a graduate of Hartford State Technical College and the University of Hartford. He is also a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
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an email marial@bvhis.com
BVH Integrated Services office locations:50 Griffin Road South
Bloomfield, CT 06002
860.286.9171
One Audubon Street
New Haven, CT 06511