CH2M HILL Designed Army Aviation Support Facility Achieves LEED® Silver Certification
CH2M HILL Designed Army Aviation Support Facility Achieves LEED® Silver Certification
CH2M HILL, a global full-service engineering, procurement, construction, and operations firm, designed the 115,000-square-foot facility that houses the Colorado Army National Guard's Aviation Command. The facility's design supports the maintenance and operations of six of the command’s CH-47 Chinook and sixteen of the command’s UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.
Utilizing integrated building information modeling technology the project team, lead by CH2M HILL and supported by consultant Coover-Clark & Associates and the Colorado Army National Guard, was able to accurately examine all options for structural, lighting and HVAC design to ensure sustainability goals were met while staying within budget.
Sustainable design features use 42 percent less energy compared to traditional designs, saving nearly $60,000 annually. A number of innovations including high-efficiency heat recovery, low-energy evaporative cooling, and innovative daylight harvesting technology help achieve these savings. A state-of-the-art monitoring and control capability allows the facility to further capitalize on energy savings though Web-based access to building controls.
Xeriscaping and using roof runoff, instead of potable water, for irrigation reduces water irrigation up to 70 percent and domestic water consumption is cut in half through the use of ultra-low flow showers, sinks, toilets and waterless urinals. Innovative daylight harvesting technology not only saves energy, it also provides a well-lit work environment for the 55 full-time and 400 active duty Guard members working in the hangar. These harvesting technologies include a 620-foot light shelf that reflects low-angle winter light deep into the building, a translucent wall panel that brings diffused light into the hangar and 48 skylights. Sensors signal the artificial lighting system when needed. In addition to bringing down operating costs, this technology improves the quality of the work environment.
"The Army Aviation Support Facility was created with sustainability in mind, but the final product far surpasses mere efficiency," said Lt. General Clyde A. Vaughn, U.S. Army Director, Army National Guard. "It is aesthetically stunning, and it blends effortlessly with its native environment."
Environmental savings were also implemented throughout the project's construction, with 20 percent of building materials coming from recycled materials, and through recycling, 93 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills.
In July 2008, the project received an Air Force Honor Award for sustainable design.
With more than 100 LEED Accredited Professionals, CH2M HILL has produced more than 70 LEED certified and certifiable designs in the past five years, with many designs achieving the Silver Certification.