With 2 projects completed in the last 2 years, and another began this year, The Beacon Projects Group is proud to be a leader in promoting LEED certified building standards.
The 860 Canal Street project, now known as The Village, earned its LEED Certification with 44 LEED points. The challenge for the project was to successfully remediate the existing brownfield site into a healthy, sustainable multi-use project that could be a beacon at the Stamford, CT waterfront. A brownfield site is defined as previously developed land that has been abandoned or underutilized, and which may carry pollution, or a risk of pollution, from industrial use. The original building was an early 20th century dilapidated former industrial/office building. Greater than 30% of the existing structure, (foundation, walls, floors and ceilings) was maintained to a “like new” building.
The project focus was on reducing energy use in a structure that was to be maintained/reused. The projected energy use was a 19% reduction from the baseline code equivalent design. VRF systems were installed to achieve the most efficient possible design available to the owner. The baseline indoor water fixture use was reduced by greater than 35%, focusing on low flow fixtures in a multi-use project.
The True North project, now known as Lifetime Living, is a newly constructed, high rise luxury residential building. The team’s focus was to design and build an energy efficient building that would appeal to tenants that would appreciate a focus on healthy living.
Both Fitwel, www.fitwel.org, and LEED, www.usgbc.org, certifications were pursued on the project. Fitwel is a world leading building wellness certification program. True North implemented all the Fitwel program categories to earn certification. The focus was to give the tenants access to health food options, encourage physical activity and provide free water to all of the common areas of the building. The building’s 2nd floor is occupied by Lifetime Fitness, www.lifetime.life, and a full membership to the health club is included for all tenants. The project has been submitted for LEED certification. The projected energy use was a 24% reduction from the baseline code equivalent design. All the LEED categories points were earned for low emitting materials including paints, adhesives, sealants, ceiling systems, wall systems and flooring.
Our latest project seeking LEED certification is the Squashbridge project in Bridgeport, CT. Squashbridge will be a one-of-its-kind athletic, educational, and community center in Bridgeport for people of all ages and backgrounds, anchored by an intensive SEA youth development program that combines academic tutoring, squash instruction, mentorship, college access, and career development. SquashBridge will pursue a ‘no barriers’ approach to programming for its students, ensuring that they have the court access, coaching, and support needed to become nationally competitive squash players and that they have the dedicated classroom time, tutoring, and academic support to excel academically and have the option to go to college, www.squashbridge.org. In this spirit, the design/construction team focused on providing a health, energy efficient building that would represent the mission stated above.
The project goals were to design/build an efficient building for lower operating costs. Also, to provide increased ventilation air for superior indoor air quality, to reduce indoor water use and install environmentally friendly, low emitting building materials. Focusing on these design categories made the pursuit of LEED certification an easy decision as these all contribute the the LEED category requirements. The project will maximize the Eversource Utility program incentives by focusing on efficient HVAC, a superior building envelope and efficient lighting design. The building is designed to be 22% more efficient than a code equivalent design of a similar building.
Although not a LEED project, Beacon was instrumental in the sustainability aspects on our renovation project in Massachusetts at The North Hill Retirement Community. It was very important to the residents and management of The North Hill Retirement Community to be as environmentally friendly as possible, and Beacon was proud to lead that charge. There were many sustainable aspects to this renovation project:
- Heat Pumps (VRF) – using the energy in outside air (either hot or cold depending on the season) to maximize efficiency (SEER >12, COP >3.6)
- ERVs – energy recovery ventilators (uses heat exchanger to warm/cool outdoor fresh air for use in the spaces)
- Variable speed motors – most of the HVAC equipment uses motors that can operate at essentially an infinite range of speeds meaning that they only work exactly as hard as they need to
- LED lighting throughout
- Occupancy controls – where appropriate and required lights will turn off in unoccupied spaces automatically
- Building management software – monitoring and controlling temperatures to maximize efficiency
- Almost all the carpet used has some component of recycled materials, plus carpet tiles are generally more sustainable as they can be replaced incrementally
- Wood trims all FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, likely true for wood in ceilings in Theater and Hospitality areas
- Plumbing fixtures all low flow
- Faucets in bathrooms all automatic, meaning they can’t be accidentally left on
- Paints and other finishes all low VOC’s (volatile organic compounds)
Beacon looks forward to continuing our focus on promoting LEED and environmentally friendly and sustainable building practices.