Three Wisconsin Commercial Buildings

The Green Globesâ„¢ rating system has been applied to a growing number of projects. Eric T. Truelove, P.E., LEED AP, Director of Sustainable Design Services at The Renschler Company in Madison, Wisconsin, managed the Green Globesâ„¢ process for three Madison projects:

• The Wisconsin Electrical Employees Benefit Fund (WEEBF) Office Building consists of 12,000 sf of new single-story construction. Completed in 2005, the project was certified by a Green Globesâ„¢ verifier in 2006.
• The RenewAire renovation included a 34,000 sf sports facility. Completed in 2005, the project was certified by a Green Globesâ„¢ verifier in 2006.
• Home Savings Bank, a new, single-story, 5,000 sf bank branch, was completed in 2006. The project will be certified by a Green Globesâ„¢ verifier in 2006.

Sustainable features at these facilities include:

• Energy costs 30 percent below a similar code-built facility (qualifying for the Energy Star® rating)
• Heating efficiency 10 percent above code
• Cooling efficiency 30 percent above code
• Ventilation system that delivers seven to ten times the amount of code-required outdoor air
• Non-chlorinated (ozone-friendly) refrigerants
• Recycling of 50 to 90 percent of the construction waste
• Recycled gypsum board (made from power plant byproducts)
• Paints, sealants, and adhesives that meet the strictest VOC limits in the country (California)
• CRI-certified Green Seal carpet and adhesives

The Wisconsin Electrical Employees Benefit Fund Office Building, Madison, Wis. utilized the Green Globesâ„¢ rating system to achieve energy efficiency. Architect and photo credit: The Renschler Company

Benefits of Using the Green Globesâ„¢ Process

According to Truelove, Green Globesâ„¢ is easy to use and educational: "All documentation is done online, which streamlines paperwork and makes data entry fast and reliable. The documentation procedure is carefully designed to follow the entire building process, from project initiation to commissioning. Users address only questions related to the project phase they are involved with. This is an enormous benefit in the building industry, where time is precious, and additional paperwork is burdensome," Truelove says.

"The educational component prompts users with examples and recommendations at each project phase, to ensure the building will be sustainable," he continues. "After answering questions in each phase, the database provides immediate feedback on how the building is progressing, and ideas on what could have been done to make the building more sustainable. Architects, engineers, and contractors new to the green building market can use Green Globesâ„¢ to educate themselves on best practices. This makes Green Globesâ„¢ ideal for new graduates just starting their careers."

Once data entry is complete, an email is immediately sent to the user, starting the process of verifier contact for an on-site review. "Although this review is optional, it is essential to ensure the Green Globesâ„¢ system provides maximum benefit to designers, contractors, and owners," Truelove notes.

"Our Green Globesâ„¢ verifier was knowledgeable about architectural, engineering, and contracting issues. The verification took only one day and involves interviews with the project team. Once the review is complete, the verifier provides excellent, immediate input on what went well and what might be considered for future green buildings, a welcome benefit," says Truelove. The verifier took the energy modeling documentation and is running the input through a Green Globesâ„¢ system as a check of assumptions. Upon completion he will send a final report.

Truelove found the process to be highly effective in promoting a sustainable approach to design and construction. Furthermore, he says, Green Globesâ„¢ is affordable. "The entire process can usually be done for well under $10,000, which includes the verifier fee, and is within the budgets of most building owners. We look forward to using Green Globesâ„¢ on many successful green building projects, he concludes.