LEED PLATINUM Certification Pending
The Michigan based Kresge Foundation is one of the top twenty educational foundations in the United States. Each year The Kresge Foundation awards over $119 million in domestic and international project grants. Because of their leadership in forward thinking initiatives, they wanted their new headquarters in Troy, Michigan to be a shining example of Green Building strategies and technology.
The Kresge Foundation’s site is anchored by a 19th century stone farmhouse with a traditional wood shingled roof and 12 pane windows. Designated as one of Michigan’s historical landmarks, The Kresge Foundation sought to preserve these historic elements while adding a modern, low profile office facility that would not detract from the beauty of this historic site or the surrounding environment.
Kresge’s charitable mission merged well with JM Olson’s leadership in Green Construction. The project has been honored with numerous construction, design, and development awards, and currently has a LEED Platinum certification pending from the U.S. Green Building Council. The new Headquarters is a model for other commercial office construction projects around the country. This site is a business campus that respects the community’s heritage, and preserves the local landscape and natural resources. Overall, the structure demonstrates The Kresge Foundation’s commitment to environmentally conscious development and their mission to educate and serve the global community at large.
Project Features
Green Roof
The Kresge Green Roofs were conceived at the onset of the architectural design and planning phase. Implementation began with the installation of concrete beds atop the fist level office spaces. Each bed was sealed with waterproof construction fabric and PVC piping was laid for drainage. These beds were then filled with gravel and rich top soil. Natural vegetation was then planted in the soil to begin the roof natural growth of indigenous wetland grasses.
There are significant benefits to a Green Roof on any structure. The vegetation, soil, and gravel in the roof provide a natural form of insulation reducing the demand on the HVAC system. This in turn lowers energy costs for the structure and benefits the owner over the entire life of the building. The beauty and aesthetic value of every building is enhanced by the abundant plant life. Employees also gain the satisfaction of working in an environmentally sound structure, and ultimately show more production and decreased absences for their employers.
Geothermal HVAC
Implementing Green Building technology requires a spirit of innovation and practical know-how. Green solutions can even challenge a client’s perception of how their building’s physical plant will be provisioned. The Kresge Foundation was outfitted with a geothermal HVAC system installed by JM Olson Corporation. This technology provides a prime example of the benefits that Green construction can provide to structures.
HVAC is a major consideration for any client and contractor. Energy markets are volatile at any given time, and traditional HVAC systems rely on oil, natural gas, or electricity to regulate the environment, exposing the structure to the inefficient use of energy.
Traditional HVAC systems can also adversely affect workplace productivity and employee health. Indoor air quality is now a major concern for both employers and employees. Locking employees into an airtight building that does not allow for proper circulation can create a work environment that is stifling, toxic, and germ infested.
Geothermal HVAC does not rely on combustible fuels to condition the environment. Geothermal energy harnesses the natural energy resources that lie below the earth. To accomplish this on The Kresge Foundation project, JM Olson Corporation drove several PVC pipe loops 400 feet beneath the property to circulate water into the system. At this depth, the Earth’s natural temperature is a comfortable 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The designed system pumps water through the piping where it is either heated or cooled to 70 degrees, depending upon the season.
The water then moves through narrow heat exchanger coils inside the air circulation machines. Fans blow fresh air upwards through this heat-exchanger and into the buildings duct system. The result is a comfortable work environment for all occupants.
With a geothermal HVAC system, organizations realize significant long term returns on their initial investment into the structure. Most visibly this is seen in their utility bills, but passive benefits such as a healthy workplace, decreased absenteeism, and higher rental rates per square footage, are also seen by the owners.
Pervious Paving
The parking lot was among the most important land-use factors in the development of The Kresge Foundation project. The group’s leaders did not want the parking facility to detract from the historical site or harm the environment and landscape. With these items in mind, JM Olson Corporation was also charged with the additional task of preserving water resources wherever possible. These unique circumstances provided the opportunity to utilize a novel, environmentally conscious technology known as pervious paving.
Traditional parking lots are constructed of asphalt or concrete. But both presented problems for the environmentally friendly building. Asphalt is a petroleum based product that is impervious to water, and can be recycled. Concrete, which is made up of gravel and sand, must be taken from natural sources, and is not recyclable. It does however have a much longer lifespan than asphalt. With neither of these options completely fulfilling the needs of The Kresge Foundation, the leaders sought to incorporate a very unique element into their parking lot.
Pervious paving technology allows rainwater to penetrate the top surface of the parking lot. The surface is constructed of concrete tiles that fit together to create gaps that are then filled with a very fine grade of gravel. Rainwater seeps through these gaps and filters through the progressive layers of various grades of gravel until it reaches the bottom excavated layer. Here the PVC pipes channel the water into larger drainage pipes, which lead to a larger holding tank near the property’s barn structure. The water can then be utilized for irrigation. A pond located on the site collects any overflow water from the holding tank.
Pervious paving is unique and attractive option for recycling and preserve water resources. This element greatly reduces The Kresge Foundation’s demands on the municipal water and sewerage system. The surface layer is hard and durable, which makes it a solid alternative to the traditional petroleum based asphalt that can harm the environment. The forward thinking JM Olson team members promoted the pervious paving solution and supervised its installation and implementation.