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Photos of this event - click here
On several occasions, DesignGroup, 515 E. Main St, has served as the site for monthly programs for the Central Ohio IFMA Chapter, but on October 22, the architectural firm itself became the focal point as some 25 persons toured the building to see an early and strong commitment to sustainability.
DesignGroup provides expertise in planning, architecture, interior design, graphics, and sustainable design. As designers of the built environment, DesignGroup has deep-seated beliefs in civic responsibility, healthy communities, life-long learning, sustainable architecture, and design that elevates.
The four and one-half story, 62,000-square-foot building was built 10 years ago and just ahead of the establishment of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.
Nevertheless, as Jack Hedge, firm principal, pointed out, DesignGroup incorporated enough sustainable features into its building that it could have easily qualified for Silver Certification, “and probably would have gone for Gold” had the rating system been in place.
In utalizing this one-half acre site, the firm moved its operation from 7600 Olentangy River Rd., to the near-east side of Columbus., an urban redevelopment area. The building cost $6.2 million, is 100 percent occupied, and has been the recipient of numerous awards.
Hedge said the site had been used as a gas station and used car lot before DesignGroup selected it for its building. The infrastructure was in existence, he said, “so if you can move to an urban site with these amenities in place, you are ahead of the game.”
The building was designed and constructed to utlize the sun as a lighting and heating source. The south side of the building is 60 percent glass. It has sun screens above the window levels to keep out the hot rays of summer but let them in in the winter to help heat the building.
Hedge said they minimized the amount of glass used on the east and west sides of the building to limit exposure from the sun. They also provided a 50 percent tint on the west side windows, but kept the windows clear on the north and south sides.
The funneling of light into the building also reduces the firm’s dependency on electricity for lighting, Hedge said.
“Our dependency on artificial light is minimal, and because of this we have a better working environment for our staff, and we are more productive.
“The majority of our meetings are conducted in conference rooms and in other meeting spaces that require no lighting,” he said. “We are managing the sun and its impact on our building to our advantage.”
The firm also used renewable and recycled materials where possible, and installed waterless urinals. Last year, DesignGroup’s Green Team challenged the firm to reduce paper consumption. At the end of the year, the firm had reduced staff paper consumption by over 4.5 tons.
The firm offers these 10 steps toward a green workplace: