Sustainable Design

How do we minimize the impact of construction on the environment?The solution begins with intelligent planning and design. A collaboration of the partners in a strategic discussion is the foundation for a successful project.The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has identified five areas of concentration to determine impact on the environment. The development of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program is a quantifiable measurement of environmental impact based on a consensus of professionals from varied disciplines within the building industry. LEED standards continue to adjust as technology and products improve.

The five areas addressed in LEED are:

Site selection and preparation and proper waste management
Water management and erosion control
Maximize energy efficiency
Use materials that are non-toxic and environmentally sensitive
Maximize indoor air quality and ventilation

The standards provide a measurable guideline for progressive construction practices. The LEED process has taught us to view the building as an integrated organism, where all systems are dependent on each other for maximum efficiency.

Better for the environment, more pleasant for people

Green buildings, in addition to being environmentally intelligent, are recognized for their elegant design and comfortable workspace. Environmental construction features like daylighting, superior heating and cooling systems, outstanding ventilation, and non-toxic materials create a beautiful, healthy and relaxing working environment.

In case studies from previous LEED projects, employee performance has increased and absenteeism decreased substantially, generating huge savings for the employer. In schools, attendance has increased and performance has improved in LEED buildings. In healthcare facilities, improved recovery rates result in shorter stays, and families and friends of patients have found the experience to be less stressful than in traditional facilities.

The benefits are well-documented, and the tremendous increase in LEED projects supports the success of the program. Breakell Inc. is adopting these standards because we believe it is in the best interests of all concerned.

Current LEED projects:

Blacksburg Motor Company

Celebrating LEED Platinum Certification
The renovation and restoration of the former Blacksburg Motor Company building combined Breakell Inc.’s extensive construction experience in historic preservation with sustainable building practices. Built in 1925, the interior historic architectural features saved and restored included the original steel-frame windows, tin ceiling, terrazzo floors, wood work and curved devising walls. The plaster on the exterior of the building was repaired to its original appearance and new lettering placed on the front of the building matched the style of the original signage.

Good sustainable design encourages urban redevelopment and the use of existing infrastructure. In alignment with effective sustainable design, a geothermal well system was installed for high efficiency heating and cooling and the proper remediation of an existing brownfield. Other environmentally friendly features included a white membrane roof, low flow plumbing fixtures, occupancy sensors, low-emitting materials, and a pervious concrete parking lot and bio-retention ponds for storm water management.

The Town of Blacksburg’s Department of Planning and Engineering will house its offices in the building along with a public service area that includes reception, waiting areas, and conference meeting spaces.

Projects with high environmental standards:

VDOT Salem Traffic Management CenterThe new Salem Traffic Management Center serves as an around-the-clock-communication hub for a 29-county region in southwest Virginia. The center operates more than 70 information devices, such as message boards, cameras and Highway Advisory Radio transmitters. The new, 17,000-square-foot facility has two stories, with the first floor extended into the hillside, allowing the second floor to exit at ground level. The operational center occupies the first floor with offices housed on the second floor. Environmental features highlighted in the project include a high efficiency heating and air condtioning ventilation system, low flow plumbing fixtures, a white Bondcote roof, daylighting, exterior light pollution reduction strategies, bike racks, rain gardens and segmental retaining walls. This project is a premiere example of sustainable design and green building strategies. Showcasing a myriad of principles and products that are intended to minimize the building’s environmental footprint, the Salem Traffic Management Center is a wonderful demonstration of the beauty and efficiency of a well designed and constructed green building.