We Practice What We Preach.
True to our core belief that sustainable solutions can – and should – be practical and profitable, ESI’s new corporate headquarters are designed to reduce operating costs and environmental impact. Built to achieve LEED certification, the building also serves as a teaching tool. Its innovative practical applications of cutting-edge building management systems and design enable visitors to visualize the difference sustainable design can make to their own facilities and profitability.
- Sustainable Site. The building is well positioned on the north side of the site to maximize daylight and take advantage of the natural wetlands located to the east.
- Water Efficiency. Native plantings don’t require potable water, reducing resources use and maintenance costs and time. Water-conserving fixtures within the building are about 40% more efficient than code-complying fixtures.
- Energy and Atmosphere. Efficient, properly sized mechanical systems with heat recovery; efficient lighting design; an integrated, open control system to connect and manage HVAC, lighting, metering, access, video surveillance and life safety; continuous R-19 insulation on the exterior walls; R-30 insulation on the roof; and high performance glazing – all designed to achieve a superior performing building envelope that is 20% better than ASHRAE 90.1-2004.
- Energy Efficiency. While the envelope helps the building achieve energy savings by reducing mechanical loads, energy efficiency is further enhanced by an air handling unit with an energy recovery unit modeled to save over 300,000 btu/hr., a condensing unit, a high-efficiency boiler serving hydronic baseboard heat and hydronic reheat coils on VAV boxes. We anticipate lower life cycle costs, increased efficiency and improved comfort.
- Lighting Efficiency. We provide lower ambient lighting in the open office area while LED task lights at workstations allow employees to tailor lighting to their needs. All installed light fixtures are dimmable and controlled based on occupancy and ambient light sensors. Light circuit schedules are controlled by automated circuit breakers, which, in turn are controlled by the building automation system and integrated with the access control system for unoccupied operation.
- Materials and Resources. Materials that provide a strong environmental story were selected. For example, existing steel joists from a previous project were incorporated. Field brick was selected from the contractor’s existing overage stock. All materials were reviewed and considered for their environmental impact.
- Comfort. Full-height windows with high-visible light transmittance, daylight windows, light tubes and low furniture partitions bring exterior views and light into most spaces. An energy recovery unit allows greater volumes of outside air to be used. Multiple VAV zones enable employees to control individual environments via local sensors, desktop Web browsers or mobile device-based Web clients. Perimeter baseboard radiation creates consistent, uniform perimeter heating. Proper indoor humidity is provided by a central humidifier.
- Environmental Quality. For quality indoor air, low-emitting materials such as paints, adhesives, sealants and carpeting were selected. A clean facility was maintained during construction and a full building flush out was performed before occupancy.
- Operational Efficiency. All building systems were converged, including communications, control, security, life safety, audiovisual, and digital signage into a common building network that can generate and share data and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the structure. Our unified operations system is designed to realize benefits such as operational continuity, energy-efficient performance, and occupant comfort and safety, while streamlining productivity and reducing operating costs and environmental impact.