A new 94,000 gsf two-story steel frame structure, scheduled for completion in 2009, houses a cutting-edge 24/7 Tier 2.5 Data Center, Research and Development Labs, and Corporate Headquarters on a suburban site in Harleysville, PA, of approximately 24 acres, net development. Holistically designed through a team effort, Colorcon’s new Corporate Headquarters and Technology Center demonstrates that environmental, corporate and long-term financial benefits can go hand-in-hand through intelligent design strategies.
Site strategies include development minimization, a multi-function berm, a re-forested buffer zone, a rain garden, environmentally sensitive site lighting, a vertical green wall and a roof terrace irrigated from roof water run-off. Over 3.5 million gallons of irrigation water were saved, while creating multiple eco-systems which replicate native Pennsylvania forests, wetlands and meadows. Energy efficiency drove the entire building design, which achieves 31% energy savings through architectural, mechanical and lighting systems, remarkable for a building with intensive energy demands from the labs and the data center. Decisions from the basic parti to the tiniest details capitalize on natural light and air, while intelligent measurement of demand reduces the loads and quality mechanical and electrical equipment increase efficiency.
Designed from the inside out, inter-departmental communication is improved while exterior views are available for 90% of the occupants. Innovative and environmentally responsible materials enhance the elegant expansiveness of the fit-out while careful attention to mechanical and architectural detail provides the highest indoor air quality. 48% less water is consumed for general building use due to waterless urinals, low-flow water fixtures, and dual-flush toilets.
Construction
Quality Control is ensured through commissioning, and an impressive 90% of construction waste is diverted from landfills. Environmental stewardship and responsible corporate management continues in the occupancy of the building through continuous performance improvements via Measurement and Verification reports from the Building Automation System, environmentally preferable cleaning, and policies and procedures which engage occupants in environmental stewardship.
Development Minimization and Ecosystem Diversity
The most important decision, from a financial and environmental viewpoint, is to “right-size” the building and parking capacity of 169 surface spaces. The design team preserves 50% of the approximately 24 acre site (the LEED net development area.) as open space for habitat for native flora and fauna. Optimal sizing limits the first cost and provides future expansion. The former open field (of marginal agricultural effectiveness because of high bedrock) is developed to create a variety of native ecosystems, including field, meadow, forest and wetland, all of which are designed to encourage native fauna while discouraging invasive Canadian geese. The neighbors and occupants will experience these ecosystems through biking and hiking trails, which meander through a forested buffer zone at the property edge, while showers and bike racks are conveniently located in and near the building. This “Good Neighbor” gesture, along with the irrigation-free plantings at the site and optimal storm water management, helped win unanimous township approval. These community paths encourage healthy exercise for employees, and provide opportunities for informal, relaxed communication. This corporate amenity can also become home to native fauna and can filter and absorb storm water, which decreases the size and first cost of detention basins. Over the entire site, 3.5 million gallons of irrigation water are saved annually.
Berm
The berm provides multiple benefits, and was created very economically by stockpiling the free soil from other nearby construction projects over a one year period. The massing next to the data center acts as a heat sink to conserve energy. Additionally, the need for expensive foundations is reduced because raising the grade ameliorates the bedrock conditions, which occur only 3 to 6 feet below existing grade. The top of the berm also serves as the Executive terrace, where dining executives can overlook the native wildflowers, which filter and absorb stormwater. The height of the berm decreases the apparent bulk of the building, minimizing the effect of the commercial structure on the neighboring residences.
Rain Garden
Instead of a conventional detention basin, a wet meadow for native fauna is created which discourages Canadian geese. When a pond briefly forms after rainfall, the plantings absorb and filter storm water, and the high vegetation at water’s edge discourages the geese, who instinctively fear enemies hiding in high growths. The native plants encourage biodiversity and provide a focal point viewable from the parking lots and both entrances.
Environmentally Sensitive Site Lighting
The exterior lighting is designed to provide security and enhance architectural impact while reducing energy costs through bi-level lighting, which turn off or dim non-security lights when they are no longer needed. Full cut-off energy-efficient fixtures minimize light pollution, which aids migrating birds and nocturnal fauna. In addition, this energy-saving strategy is a good-neighbor gesture to the adjacent properties.
Roof Terrace
The roof garden is irrigated by rainwater collected from the roof and stored under the parking area next to the berm. While providing an employee and visitor amenity (conveniently located near the multi-purpose area and cafetorium), the roof garden imitates the natural rainwater cycle, “closing the water cycle loop.” This eliminates the need for potable irrigation and aids in storm water management, reducing on-going utility costs. Absorbing sound and vibration, the vegetation provides a different habitat for fauna who favor dry conditions, and the thermal mass of the planting media aids in energy conservation. Next to the employee entrance is a vertical green wall, which reinforces the symbolism of the roof terrace, which visibly demonstrates Colorcon’s environmental commitment.
Energy Efficient Design
Energy is reduced through all the energy-related building systems: architectural, mechanical and electrical, all of which will be tied together through a sophisticated system of controls. Natural light is capitalized on through the architecture of daylight design creates access to views and light for over 90% of the employees, while thermal efficiency of the building envelope decreases energy demand. Mechanically, the load is reduced by intelligently measuring demand and leveraging outside air, while efficient equipment decreases greenhouse gas emissions. Daylight harvesting and energy efficient light fixtures, distribution and controls will decrease electricity usage. As a result, 31% of energy costs are saved while delivering the highest standard of thermal comfort. Energy modeling compares the design to standard office building, which doesn’t reflect the unique design challenges involved, such as the excessively hot data center equipment and the intensive hot water demands of laboratories.
Design from the Inside Out
Daylight design and thermal efficiency shape the two-story, steel frame, slab on grade construction. Data Center and Lab offices are clustered along the lower east-west axis and employee courtyard, which. At the same time, the glazing is optimized to constitute only 22% of the façade, which will decrease solar heat gain and increase thermal efficiency. Building materials are chosen for their fit with environmental and corporate goals, such as the innovative Cradle to Cradle carpet systems. Water savings of 40% over conventional construction are achieved by using waterless urinals and efficient plumbing fixtures. Superior air quality is delivered through product choice, careful design and superior mechanical systems.
Construction and Commissioning
Careful construction maintains high air quality for construction workers and for future occupants, reduces 90% of construction waste, and controls the quality of energy-saving systems.
Occupancy
Perhaps the stage of the building that has the most environmental impact, occupancy has been considered in all phases of the design. A sophisticated Measurement and Verification plan will track energy consumption by function, allowing for continuous performance improvements of the energy systems of the building while enhancing both comfort and energy efficiency. The Thermal Comfort Survey provides feedback which can be used to adjust the BAS for performance improvement. Environmentally preferable maintenance reduces indoor air pollution while improving the quality of the wastewater. Recycling and carpooling are designed to be convenient for all employees, who will be receiving on-going education of these programs. An alliance of corporate policies, design decisions and occupant education will encourage active engagement of occupants in environmental stewardship, which has the most potential of all to change the planet. *Gold Certification is anticipated based on credits attempted. Final certification pending approval by USGBC.
Not just another LEED Gold building, Colorcon Global Headquarters and Technology Center provides a cost-effective model of environmental stewardship for suburban office buildings. Rather than dominating the site, the building is knit back into the landscape, creating a multi-ecosystem environment which replicates native Pennsylvania habitats. LEED standards measure environmental performance of the project, and both the design and corporate policies innovatively integrate sustainability into the on-going life of the entire community.
Colorcon goes beyond LEED checklists by integrating the site into the community. The site is bordered by residential neighbors, who can become engaged in sustainability through the use of a community bike path, which meanders through the landscapes which have been re-created as a wet meadow, wildflower hillside, and reforested habitat. Berming the building at the prominent intersection honors the earth literally, displaying wildflowers instead of gleaming glass. Visitors to the building are greeted with a roof garden, which is watered by stormwater runoff, which “closes the loop” of the water cycle, the goal of all stormwater management.
These visible symbols are also cost-effective approaches to serving the real needs of a complex user, including Research and Development Labs and a 24/7 Tier 2.5 Data Center. Despite the energy-intensiveness of these uses, measurable LEED goals of 31% energy savings and 48% water savings were met through integration of architectural and mechanical systems. Only 22% of the building’s façade is fenestrated, which reduces energy consumption, but over 90% of occupants have access to daylight and views, which can enhance productivity. This connection with the environment, along with corporate policies encouraging sustainability, serves to educate and inspire occupants with creating a more sustainable lifestyle for themselves, thus increasing the impact beyond the building itself.
Colorcon deserves to win the Philadelphia Sustainability Award because it can inspire other suburban office buildings to honor the land and the neighbors while encouraging sustainability in the occupants and furthering corporate effectiveness.
A new 94,000 gsf two-story steel frame structure, scheduled for completion in 2009, houses a cutting-edge 24/7 Tier 2.5 Data Center, Research and Development Labs, and Corporate Headquarters on a suburban site in Harleysville, PA, of approximately 24 acres, net development. Holistically designed through a team effort, Colorcon’s new Corporate Headquarters and Technology Center demonstrates that environmental, corporate and long-term financial benefits can go hand-in-hand through intelligent design strategies.
Site strategies include development minimization, a multi-function berm, a re-forested buffer zone, a rain garden, environmentally sensitive site lighting, a vertical green wall and a roof terrace irrigated from roof water run-off. Over 3.5 million gallons of irrigation water were saved, while creating multiple eco-systems which replicate native Pennsylvania forests, wetlands and meadows. Energy efficiency drove the entire building design, which achieves 31% energy savings through architectural, mechanical and lighting systems, remarkable for a building with intensive energy demands from the labs and the data center. Decisions from the basic parti to the tiniest details capitalize on natural light and air, while intelligent measurement of demand reduces the loads and quality mechanical and electrical equipment increase efficiency.
Designed from the inside out, inter-departmental communication is improved while exterior views are available for 90% of the occupants. Innovative and environmentally responsible materials enhance the elegant expansiveness of the fit-out while careful attention to mechanical and architectural detail provides the highest indoor air quality. 48% less water is consumed for general building use due to waterless urinals, low-flow water fixtures, and dual-flush toilets. Construction Quality Control is ensured through commissioning, and an impressive 90% of construction waste is diverted from landfills. Environmental stewardship and responsible corporate management continues in the occupancy of the building through continuous performance improvements via Measurement and Verification reports from the Building Automation System, environmentally preferable cleaning, and policies and procedures which engage occupants in environmental stewardship.
