A3C’s LEED-CI Gold Learning Lab and UrbEn Retreat
As an affirmation of our commitment to sustainable design, we have renovated our corporate offices to be an educational tool and learning lab for the community as well as our clients about the benefits of sustainable design and the Triple Bottom Line: People, Profits and Planet. Sustainable products and systems have been incorporated from numerous sources to showcase the variety of options available to end users. In addition we have built in research features to our project to study the benefits of green roofs and enhanced building envelopes on thermal performance and energy consumption.
The UrbEn Retreat, a rooftop observation/conferencing space overlooks the green roof and is available for use by local government and non-profit organizations.
Project Goals
- Reducing NO2 & CO2 Levels below 50% with a Geothermal HVAC system, rooftop Solar PV Array and lighting improvements. The future incorporation of Wind Turbines will further improve on that.
- Reducing Storm Water Run Off by 34% through rain water capture system and a demonstration Green Roof modeling Semi-Intensive & Extensive designs.
- Reducing Water Usage by 30% by installing dual flush power assisted toilets, 1 pint urinals, water reducing shower head and sensor faucets.
- Energy Savings of 47.5% below ASHRAE baseline, with energy conservation measures, production of 2.5% solar energy on-site and purchase of 50% renewable energy help us meet the 2030 Challenge now.
- Improving Indoor Environmental Quality by providing for natural ventilation and selecting materials that eliminate or minimize out-gassing.
- Increasing Daylight and Lighting Controls with energy efficient lighting, integrated control systems and daylighting through roof monitors.
- Utilizing Sustainable Materials & Resources with the selection of regionally sourced, rapidly renewable and recycled products throughout the building.
Community Resource
One of the key goals of the project was to help educate our clients and community about sustainable building options and benefits. Numerous different products and systems were used to provide examples of as many approaches as possible. A3C has opened their rooftop meeting space, UrbEn Retreat to local municipal and non-profit groups. We also provide tours to local businesses and environmental groups interested in green design.
Demonstration Features
- Demonstration Green Roof
- Cool Roof Demonstration Site
- Solar PV Demonstration Site
- Rainwater Collection System
- Electric Field Vector Mapping Leak Detection System
- High Efficiency Building Envelope
- GeoExchange HVAC System
- Solar Chimneys/Natural Ventilation
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- Increased Daylighting
- Lighting Controls
- Water Conservation Features
- ‘Green’ Material Showcase
- UrbanWood.org Deck System
- Community Education Site
- Research & Data Collection Site
Awards & Recognition
- Best Innovaton, Pyramid Award Washtenaw Contractors Association
- Business Leadership Award
Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association
Energy Efficiency Award - Facility Management, Project of the Year Southeast Michigan IFMA
- Going Green Award Honoree CORP! Magazine
- Green Building of America Construction Communications
- Green Building of the Year Honoree Construction Association of Michigan
- Greenest SE Michigan Office Award 100.7 WNIC Radio, Detroit
- Honorable Mention Award Washtenaw County Waste Knot
- LEED-CI Gold Certified Project U.S. Green Building Council
- Life-Cycle Cost Analysis Research AIA Upjohn Research Grant Initiative
- Renewable Energy Award Energy Efficiency Award Ann Arbor Energy Challenge
Our Partners
Our project is a showcase for sustainable architecture, as well as, all of those systems and products that contributed to A3C’s achievement of the LEED-CI Gold Certification. Signage throughout the facility illustrates key sustainable elements and acknowledge our vendors/contributors.
Energy/Water Conservation & Thermal/Moisture Control
Lighting, Daylighting & Gazing
UrbEn Retreat in the News
A3C has been featured in the following:
- Ann Arbor Business Review
- Ann Arbor Observer
- AnnArbor.com (Formerly, The Ann Arbor News)
- CAM
- Concentrate Media
- Crain’s Detroit Business
- Detroit Free Press
- Environmental Design & Construction
- Green Business Quarterly
- Green Source
- Homeless Dave’s Rooftop Totter
- Lawrence Tech
- McGraw Hill
- Metromode
- NPR: Environment Report Radio Show
- Sustainable Facility
- UM Taubman College Architecture+Urban Planning: Portico
- USGBC Detroit Regional Chapter: Sustainable Spotlight
- Washtenaw Contractor’s Association
- Washtenaw Gardner
- WasteKnot: Staying in the Loop
- WEMU: Issues of the Environment Radio Show
- WWJ News Radio: Great Lakes IT Report
