The United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development defined “sustainability” as the ability of a community, “…to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

How do we shape our present resource use toward that end?

Since buildings account for approximately 48 percent of the world’s carbon emissions, a logical place to begin is to design and construct better buildings – buildings that respond appropriately to their sites; use less energy to light, heat, and cool; use less water; and are better places to live and work.

How do we begin and how much does it cost?

The Durrant Group tackled these questions in designing its new headquarters in Dubuque, Iowa. Using an integrated design approach where its own architects, engineers, and the constructor work together as a team from the beginning, it designed a “green” building for approximately the same cost as a standard office space. The building is designed to reduce energy consumption by 50 percent compared to a typical office. The design team is also working toward a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Platinum designation from the United States Green Building Council.

“Reduce, reuse, recycle” is a mantra often used to describe how to achieve sustainability. Durrant practiced this as the firm adapted the former industrial site, the Adams Company manufacturing building, into its new headquarters.

The firm reduced its energy needs by designing a highly energy-efficient shell using bio-based wall insulation and high-performance window systems. The building is heated and cooled with a ground-source geothermal heat pump system. Geothermal well water is also used to flush toilets and irrigate landscaping. A daylight harvesting system controls the interior lighting, dimming electric lighting in response to the amount of sunlight entering the building. On the roof, photovoltaic panels generate electricity and a solar panel provides hot water to sinks.

Durrant reused many components salvaged from deconstructing the existing building, including wood studs, roof insulation, and structural steel. In addition, several Durrant employees were able to reuse the fiberglass insulation for their own homes.

The firm recycled approximately 70 percent of the construction waste, diverting it from the landfill. Metals went to scrap dealers, concrete was ground up for aggregate, and “clean” lumber went to the chipper under a pilot program of the Dubuque Metropolitan Solid Waste Agency to recycle wood as garden mulch.

In addition, the firm specified new construction materials with a high recycled content wherever possible. The carpet and office furnishings are highly recyclable and are manufactured by companies with a strong commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices.

Most of the sustainable strategies Durrant employed in designing the new headquarters did not add to the initial cost of the building.

Some strategies, such as increased insulation, have a small cost, but one that is quickly offset by reduced energy costs. High-tech systems like photovoltaic panels do add significant cost. However, incentives are available from the Iowa Energy Center, the U.S. Department of Energy, and even the Internal Revenue Service to help building owners offset the initial cost of certain systems and ­upgrades.

Durrant did extensive research to seek out and evaluate applicable programs. These included tax credits for improved building energy performance, and no-interest loans and property tax credits for photovoltaic installations. During the course of the research, a number of programs were identified that are only available to not-for-profit entities that, while not available to the firm, would certainly benefit many of its clients.

When the firm moves into its new building this spring, the office will showcase its design expertise, help demonstrate sustainable design strategies for its clients, and be a great place to work. The fact that it cost no more than a standard building shows that, indeed, Green Design is Good Design. SLDT