Background
Rimkus experts were engaged to provide sustainability consulting for a new, large children’s social services facility. The project included a gym and fitness center, as well as facilities to support a variety of recreational, educational, and community programs.
Services Provided
Tasked with incorporating energy efficiency and other sustainable features, our experts agreed to help the client achieve the highest LEED certification possible. A key challenge was how to incorporate design changes to maximize the building’s LEED rating without creating an undue financial burden.
The Rimkus team worked closely with the owner and the design team to develop creative strategies for improving sustainability in a cost-effective way. Highlights included:
- The entire roof area was furnished with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels
- The building was redesigned to increase energy efficiency
- To support the client’s educational mission, we added a see-through panel so the children could see firsthand the building’s sustainable measures, including the denim insulation inside the wall
- A child-friendly interactive touchscreen monitor was added to the lobby to allow children to view the PV panels on the roof and see a real-time reading of how much electricity was being harnessed from the sun
Upon completion, the facility achieved the Platinum LEED certification, which is the highest level possible.