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The new offices of the Quantum Foundation and American Lung Association recently became the first building in West Palm Beach and the third in Florida to earn US Green Building Council Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) status.
From the ground up, sustainability–with respect to structural integrity, ergonomics, environmental impact and natural resource use–was the project team’s motive force, according to Astorino, the architectural design firm that saw the project through from concept to reality.
“Our approach to sustainable design emphasizes the application of strategies for site development (i.e. site selection issues, erosion and sediment control); water usage (i.e. low flow fixtures, drought tolerant plants); energy efficiency (i.e. building envelope design; energy system design); and materials and resources (i.e. recycled materials, low-emitting materials).”
Sustainable Design Principles
Obtaining both broad and detailed perspectives and understanding of the natural and man-made physical environment and climate–along with intended use and budget–are key factors in sustainable design. In the case of West Palm Beach, the threat of tropical storms and recent drought conditions, as well as humidity and proximity of a large body of saltwater, were all taken into consideration.
Working with the building owners, Astorino’s design team established a set of sustainable design priorities that included superior indoor air quality; material, energy, and water conservation; moisture control; and long-term durability.
The actual building was carried out by Astorino working in conjunction with additional project team members that included civil engineers Craven Thompson, landscape architects Gentile Holloway O’Mahoney, structural engineers Bliss and Nyitray, Inc. and contractors Anderson Moore Construction.
“South Florida’s humidity and risk for tropical storms, or worse, are regional particularities that must be considered in a green building the same way they would in a ‘normal’ building design. Just because a project is attempting to get LEED certified doesn’t mean that conventional design wisdom goes out the window in favor of chasing points.
“As a result moisture control and impact resistance of the building envelope were added to the list of priorities that would contribute to the building’s longevity and sustainability,” according to Astorino.
Environmental Sensitivity, Bottom Line Sensibility
Health care and community development grant provider Quantum Foundation-ALA building is the latest addition to Astorino’s sustainable design portfolio. The firm has completed or is in the midst of working on more than 6 million square feet of sustainable design projects.
One million of those square feet have achieved LEED Gold or Silver status thus far, and 21 of Astorino’s staff are LEED Accredited Professionals.
Sweet music to the ears of its clients, the firm’s execs say that “building green” doesn’t necessarily translate into “building expensive,” especially when probable cost savings are considered over the likely term of a building’s useful life.
“When sustainable design principles are integrated into the design process at the earliest stages, both design and construction expenses are comparable to those of a conventional project. What follows are substantial and almost immediate operational cost savings.”
More broadly speaking according to Astorino, “Sustainable design is about achieving both environmental sensitivity and bottom-line sensibility. This means that building an environmentally friendly facility is not just good for the environment – it’s also good for business.
“Whether designing a new hospital, school, home, office building, church, or country club, sustainable design is simply ‘good design.’ The end result is a building that can conserve natural resources, reduce operating costs, improve occupant health and comfort, all while maintaining design excellence.”
