The 2013 Building Excellence Award Winners

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