Oltmans Construction Co. (Oltmans) has formed a new High Performance Building Program and has finished three projects that are being submitted for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The company is dedicated to sustainable development and green building practices as part of the overall integrated project delivery approach for a collaborative, value-based process in delivering high-performance buildings.
“As part of our commitment to our clients and the communities we do business in, Oltmans’ HPB program combines the talents of our experienced staff for early costs and benefit analysis to determine the best strategy to meet our client’s business and environmental goals. Our LEED-AP accredited staff supports the process from early design through the final project completion,” stated Tammy Spencer, LEED AP facilitator for Oltmans.
Spencer emphasized that the company has recently finished three projects with the intent of submitting them for LEED certification.
They are Corona Summit in Corona, California, including three speculative office buildings totaling 282,000 square feet to be submitted for LEED CS (core and shell) certification; the ProLogis/Home Depot rapid deployment center in Redlands, California, a 662,000 square foot build-to-suit project submitted for LEED NC (new construction) certification, and a 28,000 square foot industrial building renovation project for Urban Offerings in Los Angeles submitted for LEED CS Gold certification.
For each project, said Spencer, Oltmans Construction worked closely with the developer’s LEED teams that incorporated Zinner Consultants of Santa Monica and M.E. Group, Inc., and also the client’s architectural and engineering firms.
Among the key green features of these facilities, Spencer explained, are:
Alternate Transportation: Preferred parking is offered for low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles, and also for carpools and vanpools to minimize automobile pollution. Bike racks and shower facilities are offered for those who bike to work. Some facilities are located near public transportation access to promote public transit use and minimize impacts from automobiles.
Stormwater Management: Incorporates design features to minimize impacts on natural hydrology, reduce stormwater runoff, and enahnce project water quality.
Water Use Reduction: Minimizes potable water by the installation of a water efficient irrigation system from the reclaimed water systems and incorporates the use of xeriscape landscaping. Restrooms are equipped with low-flow and battery sensor operated fixtures.
Energy and Atmosphere: Improved commissioning of base building systems was finished to ensure optimal performance. Optimized energy performance of the building’s mechanical and electrical systems by using higher performing HVAC equipment and T-5 lighting.
Materials and Resources: Recycled or reused non-hazardous construction and demolition waste. Used recycled content for building products and regional materials to minimize the environmental impact resulting from transportation.
Indoor Environmental Quality: Increased air ventilation to enhance air quality. Low-emitting interior finishes were utilized to reduce air contaminants.
Adaptive Reuse: Reused over 65% of existing building structure and envelope following mitigation of all environmental contaminates.
Heat Island Effect: Reduced by utilizing light color concrete and shading elements and installation of new reflective “cool roof.”
Green Power: A contract for renewable energy to provide a minimum 70% of the building’s power for a period of two years, with option to renew.
Daylight and Views: Skylights and windows added to achieve higher percentage of natural daylight.
Green Education: Signage explaining the building’s LEED elements are placed in the building for educational purposes, augmented by building tours.
Green Housekeeping: A low environmental impact cleaning policy, incorporating the use of non-toxic cleaning supplies for building maintenance.
“The demand for high performing buildings is on the rise and green building practices are quickly becoming mainstream as a result of rising energy costs, scarce water resources and a heightened awareness of environmental concerns. It’s not just about the social benefits of being green; it’s a sustainable economic investment,” added Spencer.
Oltmans is a US-based provider of preconstruction, general contracting and design/build project delivery, construction management, tenant improvements, and seismic retrofits among its services.