Our new Sustainability Manager Michelle Smith highlights four sustainable design elements from recent Bergmeyer projects that have a positive impact on our environment.
Planting a seed is just the beginning of how you can nurture and care for a plant as it grows. In honor of Earth Month, we have identified four elements of sustainability that might be a small seed but can have a big impact.
1. Water Use Reduction
Why should we care?
Conserving water not only saves water, but conserved energy since you don't have to heat or pump water that isn't used
Conserving water also means that you don't have to use energy to treat fresh water twice -- once to make it potable, and the second time to treat it after use
How did we do it?
Boston Dynamics Headquarters and Test Lab Facilities
40% water use reduction
7 water bottle filling stations
a reduction of 353,985 gallons consumed annually
2. Interior Environmental Quality
Why should we care?
Daylight exposure can result in a greater sense of wellbeing and satisfaction
Daylight can save electricity when daylight sensors are installed, or lights are turned off
Diffused sunlight shows true colors that artificial light distorts
Increased levels of daylight increase productivity and sales
How did we do it?
Everlane
In Georgetown, plywood deck and joists were removed to let light spill in from the 2nd and 3rd floors
"Sun tunnels" were added into the dressing rooms
Skylights throughout the sales floor in University Village distribute daylight
3. Energy Use Reduction
Why should we care?
Reduces fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
Reduces climate change
Reduces capital and operating costs
Encourages innovation
How did we do it?
Endicott College
Reused the existing basement and foundations
Installed a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) System for HVAC efficiency
Building envelope designed to exceed the MA Stretch Energy Code by 7%
Lighting designed to exceed IECC requirements by 73%
4. Healthy Materials
Why should we care?
Many building industry materials, chemicals, and elements post dangers to human and ecosystem health
Many toxins bio-accumulate and have been shown to cause endocrine disruption
Preservatives in building materials can impair learning and waken muscle function
How did we do it?
Emeco’s 111 Navy Chair for employee lounge seating is made of 111 recycled Coca-Cola PET bottles
120 Boston Beer kegs upcycled to create screen dividers for a meeting room
Carpet is Mohawks’ Nutopia 2.0 collection: net positive for carbon and water, and is Living Product Challenge Petal Certified, Declare Red List Free and Green Label Plus certified