Building Green on a Budget

Like any public project, managing the construction budget was a chief concern for BLDD Architects. Construction costs had risen significantly in the years since the initial funding request was submitted, and the State of Illinois now required all publicly-funded projects over 10,000 sq. ft. to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification or a 2 Globe rating under the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes rating system. BLDD was tasked with not only designing the 52,600 sq. ft. school to meet a high degree of sustainability, but to do so as cost effectively as possible. Although the Green Globes rating system considers all aspects of sustainable construction, such as water conservation and resource-efficient materials, energy efficiency is its major focus—accounting for more points than any other evaluation category. 

Agricultural

Brock Beran - Brock Beran, DowCon and Energy Panel Structures

Features:

  • Agricultural storage, shop and hobby shop
  • 8-inch SIP walls
  • Hay loft door
  • 12-inch curb around perimeter of foundation

Why judges like it:

  • LEED Platinum is extremely difficult to achieve
  • Used regional and recycled materials
  • Architecturally intriguing
  • Excellent example of sustainability

LEED Platinum SIP Storage and Shop Derby KS

Honorable Mention Agricultural

MSU Poultry Research Facility and Teaching Center - Michigan State University, Energy Panel Structures

Features:

  • Poultry research and teaching center
  • 6-inch SIPs with CCX plywood and FRP on interior
  • Climate control leads to healthier poultry and reduced utility costs
  • FRP-lined SIPs casler to clean
  • LED and CFL lighting

Why the judges liked it:

  • SIPs part of detailed energy conservation strategy
  • Designed for future addition of solar panels
  • Energy monitoring incorporated into student’s curriculum

SIP Research and Teaching Center Lansing MI

Commercial / Industrial / Institutional Over 10,000 sq. ft.

Silvis Middle School - BLDD architects, Energy Panel Structures

Features:

  • 8-inch SIP walls
  • 10-inch SIP roof
  • Certified to Green Globes
  • 30% utility savings
  • SIPs installed over structural steel
  • Geothermal system
  • Daylighting and lighting controls

Why judges like it:

  • Innovative use of SIPs
  • 50% reduction in energy costs
  • Excellent method of improving efficiency of existing housing stock

SIP Case Study Middle School East Moline IL
 

SIP Middle School East Moline IL

Honorable Mention Commercial / Industrial / Institutional Over 10,000 sq. ft.

Zuni Christian Mission School - Hibbard Architecture-Planning, Premier SIPs by Insulfoam

Features:

  • 8-inch SIP walls
  • 12-inch SIP roof
  • Combination of SIPs and steel frame
  • Solar water heating
  • Rainwater collection

SIP Christian Middle School Zuni NM

Commercial / Industrial / Institutional Under 10,000 sq. ft.

Forest Lake Studio-Workshop - Dennis Wedlick Architect LLC

Features:

  • 8" and 10" SIP walls
  • 12" SIP roof
  • 0.56 ACH50
  • Timber frame using reclaimed timber from Boeing plant
  • Geothermal heating and cooling
  • Energy recovery ventilator

Why the judges liked it:

  • Good example of what you can do with SIPs
  • Significant reduction in peak heating loads by using SIPs
  • Represents an opportunity for farm owners across the nation to save money on heating costs

SIP Private Studio Forest Lake MN

Honorable Mention Commercial / Industrial / Institutional Under 10,000 sq. ft.

Cedar Food and Grill - DJR Architects, Energy Panel Structures

Features:

  • Inner city grocery with apartments on 2nd floor
  • 6-inch SIP walls
  • Monthly energy costs 15% lower
  • Anderson 100 series windows U-factor 0.29
  • 75% FSC certified wood products
  • Recycled 70% construction waste

SIP Grocery Store and Apartments Minneapolis MN

Multifamily

The Shores of Maplewood Senior Living - Kaas Wilson Architects, Energy Panel Structures

Features:

  • Energy Star
  • 120 units, 73,923 sq. ft.
  • Temporary heat savings during construction
  • HERS Index 52 (individual units)
  • High Performance windows
  • 96% AFUE boiler for central heat
  • Better indoor air quality

Why the judges liked it:

  • Nice design – mixture of materials and styles
  • Energy performance - low HERS Index
  • Good airtightness on a complex design

SIP Senior Living Facility Minneapolis MN

Honorable Mention Multifamily

Grandfamilies Place of Phoenix - Whitneybell Pery, Inc., Premier SIPs by Insulfoam

Features:

  • 59 units
  • Affordable housing
  • 6" SIP walls
  • Framing completed in one month
  • Argon-filled double-pane windows
  • LER lighting
  • Energy Star appliances

Affordable SIP Living Complex Phoenix AZ

Single Family Homes - Over 3,000 sq. ft.

Keller Residence - Bliss Building, Inc., Extreme Panel Technologies

Features:

  • 6-inch SIP walls
  • 12-inch SIP roof
  • HERS Index 36
  • 0.47 ACH50
  • Geothermal system 3.2 COP for heat and hot water
  • 95% AFUE furnace, 18 SEER cooling system
  • Energy recovery ventilator

Why the judges liked it:

  • “Simple but elegant design”
  • Incredible air tightness
  • Lots of sustainability features
  • Simple detailing
  • Excellent performance

Energy Efficient SIP House Park Rapids MI

Single Family Homes - Under 3,000 sq. ft.

Inspiration Home - Safford James III Architects, Premier SIPs by Insulfoam

Features:

  • Residence and demonstration home
  • 10-inch SIP walls
  • 12-inch SIP roof
  • Energy Star 3.0 EPA Indoor airPLUS
  • Washington State Built Green Level 5
  • @200/year in heating costs

Energy Star SIP Demonstration House Olympia WA

Honorable Mention Single Family Homes - Under 3,000 sq. ft.

San Francisco Urban Infill House - Albert Costa Architects, Premier SIPs by Insulfoam

Features:

  • 10-inch SIP floors
  • 8-inch SIP walls and 10-inch SIP roof
  • Reduced framing time and street encroachment in busy urban location
  • Triple-pane windows
  • Energy Star lighting and appliances

Energy Efficient SIP House San Francisco CA