Set in the Tampa Bay region along the Gulf Coast, the city recognizes building design and performance as a way to protect natural resources and improve environmental quality. In building the 7,500-square-foot Dunedin Fire Station 61, the city turned to Green Globes® to make smart use of public funds.
“Green Globes achieves the goal of verifying environmental performance and obtaining certification while allowing clients to keep their construction budget funds directed toward sustainable features,” asserts Daryl Krumsieg, project manager at Wannemacher Jensen Architects, the St. Petersburg, Fla.-based design firm.
“Green Globes achieves the goal of verifying environmental performance… while allowing clients to keep their construction budget funds directed toward sustainable features.”
Krumsieg says one of the unique aspects of a fire station is that the crew is often responsible for maintaining the facility, so durable and low- maintenance materials were welcome qualities. For Dunedin Fire Station 61, clay masonry units filled with spray foam insulation allow the exterior masonry to serve as part of the interior walls. The design also excluded acoustical ceiling panels in favor of acoustical structural deck to reduce finish materials, and sustainable polished concrete flooring eliminated the mastic and material on top of the slab.
SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
- Landscaping shading and a high albedo roof minimize heat-island effect
- Stormwater runoff from building and impervious surfaces are directed to pervious areas on site
- A variable refrigerant system serving multiple zones via one condenser improves energy savings
- Clerestory windows to bring daylight into the space
- On-demand gas water heaters for showers
- Bicycling changing and storage facilities
- An innovative diesel exhaust system connects directly to fire vehicles parked in the station
Transparent Process
Krumsieg says Green Globes helps everyone understand the commitment and offers a forum where the design team, city, and construction manager can collaborate. In addition, the assessor’s walk-though of the property was a real advantage. “It instills significance and accountability to meet someone who is actually hands-on, personally examining the building,” remarks Krumsieg. “Our assessor was able to see things that we couldn’t, and that was very beneficial to the city.”
Having joined the project during the construction documents phase, Krumsieg sees how Green Globes could be best leveraged during the early phases of a project.
“The Green Globes [software] is a great way to get everyone on board, and the documentation materials can help the team discuss options to build into the process. Now, we are using Green Globes resources and the assessment recommendations to capture additional opportunities on another fire station project we have underway.”
With the rising awareness and environmentally responsible technology, Krumsieg notes that Green Globes offers a less labor intensive option for verification. “More municipal codes are requiring green design and construction and clients gain value from certification,” says Krumsieg. “This makes Green Globes is an efficient and effective tool…it was a beneficial experience for the city and our team.”
