Bala Consulting Engineers, Inc. has been a national leader in the LEED design program. Green building design has rapidly emerged from a novel practice to a driving force in the design and construction industry. Bala's embracement of Green technology plus our innovative approach to implementing successful sustainable design practices has squarely placed Bala in the forefront of Green design on both the local and national scene.

Our motivation in developing a sustainability campaign was to elevate our commitment to environmentally conscious and technological advanced engineering design. We believe our campaign and commitment to sustainable design will help building owners, developers, and occupants better understand and pursue green buildings.

LEED PIONEER: Bala's involvement in sustainable design began before the LEED system was finalized. As engineer on the 1999 Armstrong World Industries headquarters building, a beta test site for the LEED rating system from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Bala played an integral role in the development of LEED design standards. The Armstrong project was designed to qualify for the Silver Level award, and was given the Pioneer Award for their participation in testing the LEED rating system. Since the headquarters project was constructed before the LEED certification system was available, in 2007 Armstrong sought LEED-EB certification and, with the help of Bala's LEED Commissioning team, achieved Platinum Level certification. Armstrong's headquarters is the 1st building outside of California and one of only 4 buildings in the country to receive the LEED-EB Platinum award, the highest recognition possible from the LEED system. Bala used innovative building system technologies to reduce Armstrong's overall lighting power consumption and HVAC energy consumption, and to comply with water conservation standards. The building's energy consumption rate is less than 1.5 watts/square foot, which is half the nationwide average for similar facilities.

COMMISSIONING: Bala has been providing Commissioning services long before the LEED Commissioning program was established. Using the best practices of Validation, the FDA's process for pharmaceutical and biotech facilities, Bala refined our commissioning approach to be one of the best and most experienced firms in the nation. Bala has provided LEED Commissioning services for over 30 projects to date. Some of our commissioning credentials include:

1. 1st LEED-CS Platinum building in the world: Crescent One
2. 1st LEED-EB Platinum building outside of California: Armstrong World Industries' Headquarters
3. 1st LEED Certified Building in Philadelphia: Crescent One
4. 1st LEED-CI Version 2.0 Engineering office in the Nation: Bala Consulting Engineers
5. 1st LEED-CS Gold Level in Scottsdale, Arizona
6. 1st LEED-CS Certified office building in Southern New Jersey

Bala's Director of Commissioning has served as the subject matter expert on LEED Commissioning for the USGBC.

UNIQUE GREEN DESIGN/BUILD APPROACH: nBala is among the first firms in the nation to develop,and successfully implement, the design/build approach to Green building design. Bala has teamed with Liberty Property Trust to provide a Green design/build and commissioning program to be utilized on all of their new office buildings across the country. Bala creates a 'Basis of Design' document for LEED certifiable mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems plus a LEED Scorecard for prospective trade contractors. Bala assists Liberty Property Trust in the trade contractor LEED education and LEED submission process. Paralleling this effort, Bala's Commissioning team provides the LEED Commissioning services and monitors the construction process to make sure the project meets or exceeds its LEED level goals.

Bala remains focused on sustainable design not only the projects described here, but in many other projects and design efforts every day.

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH: Bala choose to showcase our commitment to sustainable design by being the first engineering firm in the nation with a LEED-CI certified office. Using our expertise and commitment to Green building design, we implemented many sustainable strategies to conserve water, optimize energy efficiency, and improve indoor air quality and working conditions in our new office in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Bala utilized selective demolition to create the appearance of a completely new layout and reused existing building materials wherever possible. To the amazement of the contractors involved, only 1 -Ohm dumpster loads of waste were produced from the project. The design process also included thorough attention to selecting sustainable materials. Refurbished office workstations with sustainable fabrics, paint selections with low VOC contents, and carpet with high recycled content were selected. Since Bala is an engineering design firm, we incorporated many Green strategies in the engineering systems as well. The HVAC system utilizes a fabric duct sock system in lieu of metal ductwork. The duct sock delivers a more even air distribution, is quieter than rigid ductwork, and improves indoor air quality because sections of the fabric duct can be easily removed, cleaned, and replaced to keep the ductwork free of contaminants and debris.

Bala utilized a combination of up and down lights with energy efficient fixtures and occupancy sensors in all private offices. In addition, if sufficient natural light is present the sensors will disable the automatic on function as well. In 2007, Bala made additional renovations to our office and continued our sustainable design practices. To accommodate our continued growth, twelve refurbished workstations were added to the office. The fabric covering these and all of our existing workstations is made of 100% recyclable material. The renovations in our lunchroom and pantry areas also added new space for individual recycling containers for trash, paper, glass, plastic, and aluminum. Bala was proud to implement these sustainable elements, and as an engineering firm who continually encourages clients and developers to use sustainable design practices, we felt it was very important to 'practice what we preach' when designing our office. A

s an active member in the USGBC as well as the Delaware Valley chapter (DVGBC), Bala has remained integrally involved in the development of the rating system, and in turn the creation of a program for persons to become LEED Accredited Professionals. Bala's staff members have assisted in the creation of the testing materials and standards by which a person can become a LEED AP. We are frequently called upon by members of the council to offer our expertise and advice on many sustainable design issues. Our staff members have assisted in the development and clarification of the LEED-EB, and LEED-CS programs. Bala was also part of the committee that developed LEED specifications for the School District of Philadelphia.

In the design and construction industry there are many people involved in the successful completion of a project; from the developer and the end user, to the architects and interior designers; from the construction managers and the contractors, to the equipment manufacturers and engineers. With so many participants for every project there are likewise many different design philosophy's and practices. Sustainable Design is the approach that Bala brings to each and every project. Using our knowledge and commitment to sustainable design, we attempt to influence every participant on the project to join the sustainable design initiative.

Previously, sustainable design was thought to be a cost prohibitive approach, and was used only in projects where cost was not a factor. Now, the mindset has shifted greatly and many projects are using sustainable design as their new standard for building. The commitment of design firms, like Bala Consulting Engineers, to use sustainable design and to educate the market place on those practices, has played a major role in the acceptance of sustainable design as good common practice. Design firms have a unique position as educators for sustainable design to their clients, developers, real estate professionals, and other firms. We are called upon to be knowledgeable of the latest technologies in our respective fields and provide designs that are not only advanced but environmentally responsible.

Since 1999, Bala has been educating our clients, and other industry professionals on the theories and technologies available for LEED design. We believed that LEED would be the preferred design method for the future, remained committed to endorsing its practices, and will continue to for years to come. Our LEED-Accredited Professionals have been presenting on LEED and sustainable design to local and national audiences since 1999. Recently, Bala presented at the 2006 USGBC's Green Build Conference in Denver, Colorado. Locally, Bala has presented at the AIA Philadelphia Chapter's Lunch and Learn program, DVGBC programs and for many companies in Greater Philadelphia Area.

Since our facility is LEED certified, we see the benefits to the surrounding community first hand. LEED facilities utilize 23% - 60% less energy and reduce the demand on existing public utility infrastructure. Some design features Bala included in our facility are: a combination of up and down lights with energy efficient fixtures and occupancy sensors in all private offices, water conserving fixtures in all bathrooms along with automatic flush valves, and low flow faucets with automatic sensors. The Men's bathroom is also equipped with a waterless urinal. These design elements were both cost effective and environmentally responsible and have made a difference in the amount of energy our facility uses.

Bala Consulting Engineers is very proud of our early involvement and our on-going commitment to sustainable design. We would be proud and honored to be considered for the Philadelphia Sustainability Award. ublic utility infrastructure. Some design features Bala included in our facility are: a combination of up and down lights with energy efficient fixtures and occupancy sensors in all private offices, water conserving fixtures in all bathrooms along with automatic flush valves, and low flow faucets with automatic sensors. The Men's bathroom is also equipped with a waterless urinal. These design elements were both cost effective and environmentally responsible and have made a difference in the amount of energy our facility uses. Bala Consulting Engineers is very proud of our early involvement and our on-going commitment to sustainable design. We would be proud and honored to be considered for the Philadelphia Sustainability Award.