Three 7group Projects Earn LEED Certification

During the past year, the Lancaster Family YMCA and The Alexander Hotel achieved Silver certifications under LEED NC v2.2 and LEED NC 2009, respectively. The Golisano Institute for Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology was awarded LEED NC 2009 Platinum certification.

Recognizing a need for consolidated spaces and a facility that consumes less energy and resources, the Lancaster Family YMCA located in Lancaster, PA, constructed a new 42,500 sf building on a downtown, brownfield site with easy access to public transportation. This three-story structure designed by Cornerstone Design-Architects houses a high-school regulation size gymnasium with an elevated running track, wellness area with weightlifting and cardio equipment, six-lane competition pool, child watch area, men’s, women’s, and special needs/family locker rooms, youth areas, aerobics room, yoga/pilates room, office space and miscellaneous support areas. Through an integrative process facilitated by 7group, the final design of the mechanical and electrical systems coupled with increased envelope insulation values resulted in overall energy savings of 20-25%. The facility incorporated high amounts of recycled and regional building materials and incorporated a restored nine foot by twelve foot stained glass window in the lobby, which was an older remnant of the original YMCA building. These strategies contributed to earning LEED NC v2.2 Silver certification and allows the YMCA to continue its mission - building strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

The Golisano Institute for Sustainability earned LEED NC 2009 Platinum certification and became the fourth LEED certified building on the campus of The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). This five-story, 83,670 sf structure contains research labs, student work areas, classrooms, conference rooms, a 55-seat auditorium and office suites that all open onto a light-filled, four-story galleria space. It is a world-class “living lab” that incorporates green technology into every aspect, including a 40kW solar panel array coupled with a 400kW fuel cell, vertical wind turbines generate electricity for the building, along with a geothermal system that provides heating and cooling. Only about one-third of the generated electricity is consumed by the project, so the excess is fed into the campus grid for use by other campus facilities. These strategies, together with high performance facades, resulted in achieving a 56% annual energy savings, thereby exceeding the maximum number of points available for the “optimize energy” LEED credit. Additionally, a rainwater harvesting system supplies more than half of the building’s water demand. Designed to demonstrate sustainable building technologies and energy systems through experiential learning, a unique transparent infrastructure and a Smart Microgrid Computing data center allows the building to be used as a teaching tool. The extensive data sensors and feedback systems can be monitored and inform building operations, while creating the capacity for this living lab to become one of the most informative green buildings in the world.

The Alexander Hotel is part of the 10-acre CityWay neighborhood in the southeast quadrant of downtown Indianapolis. This extensive new mixed-use neighborhood is being developed through a unique partnership between Eli Lilly and Company, Buckingham Companies, Dolce Hotels and Resorts, and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. Located at South and Delaware streets, the hotel anchors this new neighborhood, offering 209 guest rooms, over 14,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces, and a range of dining and entertainment opportunities. With sustainability being central to the development’s vision, the hotel is outfitted with fixtures to conserve water and energy, including LED lighting, occupancy controls, energy efficient appliances and a stormwater harvesting system for irrigation purposes. Recycled materials were used throughout, along with materials salvaged from the former improvements on the property, such as limestone from prior foundations repurposed for retaining walls and decorative landscaping. All of these strategies led to the award of LEED NC 2009 Silver certification to the hotel (which is the first LEED certified hotel in Indianapolis), but the hotel’s sustainability efforts do not stop there. The project team’s efforts also assisted the hotel staff with implementing green meeting and event practices, including restaurants that showcase locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. Recognizing the importance of conserving resources, The Alexander Hotel incorporates the latest strategies and technologies for reducing environmental impacts without sacrificing comfort, style or service.

With these projects added to its repertoire, 7group has collaborated on 92 projects whose sustainable efforts have been certified (LEED, Green Globes, Living Building Challenge) and remains committed to transforming the market place through innovative projects with a focus on employing an integrative process to develop the health of the places we live and work.