Portfolio: LEED

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EarthRes Group — Pipersville, Bucks County, PA

Watkins Architect LTD designed the 16,000 sq. ft. addition and renovations for the existing 6,000 SF office building for the EarthRes Group, an environmental engineering firm in Bucks County, PA. The project is anticipating LEED gold certification. Sustainable practices and features include:

• 92% of all construction waste diverted from the landfill by implementing a rigorous construction waste management plan.
• 14% of all building materials utilized in the project were recycled materials.
• 49% of all building materials were manufactured and extracted locally within 500 miles of the project site.
• Parking and pavement were minimized to only meet zoning requirements, which reduces runoff, heat island effect and encourages bike riding / carpooling.
• Lights visible to the exterior were designed to limit light pollution and maximize usable light.
• The building's energy usage is 14% better than code requirements.
• Construction materials included environmentally friendly and low VOC paints, sealants, adhesives and coatings.
• Flooring materials are GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified.
• Rigorous indoor air quality protection was maintained during all phases of construction
• Built-in recycling areas were provided to encourage occupant recycling.
• The building was designed to maximize the use of natural light in conjunction with high efficiency light fixtures for optimized energy performance.
• The HVAC system utilizes no CFC or ozone depleting refrigerants.
• This project utilizes industry leading low-flow plumbing fixtures throughout. This building also utilizes a rain water collection system which recovers 100% of the rain water on the roof to be used for flushing fixtures and irrigation if needed. The water is stored in a 2,000 gallon underground storage tank. Based upon an average of 42 inches of rain per year, it is estimated to reduce the water consumption by 257,900 gallons annually and reduce the impact on the municipal storm system.

Penn State Schuylkill — Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, PA

Watkins Architect was pleased to be the Penn State Schuylkill project architect for the $4 million residence hall that opened in August 2010. The 30,000 sq. ft. new apartment building includes 12 apartment units with 72 beds, student lounge, laundry facilities, public restrooms and a student life office. The project is LEED silver certified. Sustainable practices and features include:

• 46% of all construction waste diverted from the landfill by implementing a rigorous construction waste management plan.
• 21% of all building materials utilized in the project were recycled materials.
• 49% of all building materials were manufactured and extracted locally with-in 500 miles of the project site.
• Parking and pavement were minimized to only meet zoning requirements, which reduces runoff, heat island effect and encourages bike riding / carpooling.
• Lights visible to the exterior were designed to limit light pollution and maximize usable light.
• The building's energy usage is 14% better than code requirements.
• Construction materials included environmentally friendly and low VOC paints, sealants, adhesives and coatings.
• Flooring materials are GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified.
• Rigorous indoor air quality protection was maintained during all phases of construction
• Built-in recycling areas were provided to encourage occupant recycling.
• The building was designed to maximize the use of natural light in conjunction with high efficiency light fixtures for optimized energy performance.
• The HVAC system utilizes no CFC or ozone depleting refrigerants.
• This project utilizes industry leading low-flow plumbing fixtures throughout. It is estimated to reduce the water consumption by 554,400 gallons per year gallons annually, reducing water bills and the impact on the municipal storm system.

Knoll Showrooms — Various Locations

Philadelphia, PA — The new 11,633 sq. ft. LEED-CI Silver Certified showroom incorporates a number of environmentally-friendly design elements, including maximized use of natural light and, where necessary, fluorescent fixtures with optimized energy performance and lighting controls; carpeted floors with a backing that contains 76% post-consumer materials; Eco-Spec paint low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs); wall coverings with high recycled content; Energy Star rated appliances; Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood; GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality certified furnishings and textiles; high recycled content building materials; recycling program and rapidly renewable linoleum flooring.

Atlanta, GA — 10,600 sq. ft., LEED-CI Gold Certified		Philadelphia, PA — 11,633 sq. ft. LEED-CI Silver Certified
Chicago, IL — 22.600 sq. ft., LEED-CI Gold Certified		Phoenix, AZ — 5,500 sq. ft., Anticipating LEED-CI Gold Certification
Dallas, TX — 9,150 sq. ft., LEED-CI Gold Certified		Toronto, ON — 5,000 sq. ft., LEED-CI Platinum Certified
Washington, DC — 5,000 sq. ft., LEED-CI Gold Certified		Seattle, WA — 5,000 sq. ft., LEED-CI Gold Certified
Miami, FL — 5,000 sq. ft., LEED-CI Silver Certified		Boston, MA — 12,000 sq. ft., Anticipating LEED-CI Gold Certification

Growing Hearts Early Childhood Education Center — Fleetwood, Berks County, PA

The new 13,000 sq. ft. preschool is anticipating LEED-NC Platinum Certification and incorporates a number of environmentally-friendly design elements, including maximized use of natural light, fluorescent fixtures with optimized energy performance; rapidly renewable cork flooring and carpet with a backing that contains 76% post-consumer materials; Eco-Spec paint low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs); Energy Star rated appliances; Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood; high recycled content building materials, reduced impervious cover, highly reflective roofing and site/tree design to minimize heat island effect, water use reduction, energy use reduction and many other environmentally-friendly design elements.

Knoll — The Lubin Manufacturing Facility

Watkins Architect LTD is serving as the LEED Consultant for the required five-year re-certification of this LEED for existing buildings: operations and maintenance building. Services include serving as the project team administrator for the LEED online submittal process, updating the facility's operation and maintenance manual, analyzing previously submitted supporting documents, completing feasibility checklists for credits that are attainable, making recommendations to make the facility more environmentally-friendly, creating a project schedule for the re-certification process, assigning specific tasks to team members from the facility, organizing, creating and uploading supporting documents for each pre-requisite and credit and filling in online credit templates.