Before Thanksgiving break, we went to PSC to see the east building that is LEED certified. Our guide for the tour was John DeBard. The building houses the engineering department. It is 13,800 square feet worth of space. While the two buildings are separated by a parking lot, a corporate theme is maintained. The maintenance is done through the use of shapes, texture, color and style, for both interior and exterior fenestration.
These are the things that both buildings share in the theme being carried out. The radius of the front wall of the building is concentric with the curve of the street, allowing the perimeter office partitions to fan out on a radial axis (1). All the perimeter offices and conference rooms have glass walls to allow natural light to penetrate the interior core, while also allowing vistas to the exterior (1). Skylights centered in the core of the open space brings in further natural light, but is heavily filtered to eliminate glare. Installation of 56 inch tall cubicles maintain the “shared” natural light and vistas, while also allowing privacy for the employee and sustaining an open, inviting presence which promotes group interaction and participation (1).
Features of the “green” put into the project are as follows. There are exterior views for ninety percent of the occupants. A light control system put in place that senses the occupancy and light levels. Low-flow plumbing fixtures installed to reduce water consumption. Waterless urinals installed to make better use of water consumption. High efficiency mechanical systems and energy management systems were installed in the building. The duct system is cloth ducts with holes throughout the length of the ductwork. By going with this type of ductwork, dust settlement issues are non-existent. Low VOC finishes and recycled materials in building furnishings and finishes round off the “green” features of the building. Outside, drought tolerant landscaping and a 6,000 gallon underground cistern that collects all the groundwater run-off, roof run-off, and mechanical unit condensate are part of the storm water management that was put in place to provide drip irrigation to the green roof and at-grade landscaping. A green roof is incorporated in the roof of the building as well.
The results are a seven percent reduction in natural gas consumption. A twenty-three percent reduction in electricity was accomplished. Water usage was reduced by fifty-nine percent. Finally, a ten percent reduction of sick leave was observed.
The 13,800 square feet of the east building maintains the interior and exterior fenestration’s corporate themes. Inside of the building houses the engineering department. Cubicles are kept at fifty-six inches to allow for some privacy and sustain an open, inviting presence which promotes group interaction and participation. Many “green” features are integrated in this project that lead to the LEED certification.
References
(1) Brochure
(2) www.team-psc.com
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