Small Seed, Big Impact
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