Conservation

You are currently browsing the archive for the Conservation category.

Streetwise Parking

April 20, 2012 in Conservation, Green Building | No comments

Starting few years ago, it seems commercial developers and cities began approaching parking differently.

It wasn’t that long ago when 4-5 parking spaces per 1,000 sf of development was the standard. Now, it is more like 3-4 spaces. It’s estimated that in the U.S., we have 500 million surface parking spaces, roughly equivalent to the land mass of Puerto Rico. Amazing.

The Wall Street Journal recently ran a review of Eran Ben-Joseph’s “ReThinking a Lot” book on parking. This MIT expert in urban planning and landscape presents a few historical facts on the topic:

  • Julius Caesar might have been the first to regulate parking, prohibiting chariots and carts from Rome’s commercial district at certain hours.
  • The first American “off-street” parking emerged in the 1920s, with the rise of auto manufacturing.
  • During the suburban flight of mid-century in America, it was considered enlightened public policy to use surface lots as downtown placeholders until redevelopment could take hold.

I think we are all a bit more mindful now. Here’s what I’m seeing on several of our projects:

Reasonable Design. Most of the design, if it is not code driven, is working smarter. We are seeing development plans for 80% of maximum expected traffic level, rather than accommodating those few days (like Black Friday/retail) when every parking space is taken. The stalls themselves are also getting smaller.

Regard for Runoff. There is a little more bioswale type of thinking, including porous paving and strategic placement. This results in better quality storm water discharge/lower turbidity.

Attention to Vegetation. Parking fields are being landscaped with more centralized tree mass. These areas are not just an afterthought: small marooned pods placed every 50′ or 100′, sometimes dictated by code. They seem more intentional and meaningful to the end users.

Move to lighter-colored surfaces. When compared to asphalt, lighter surfaces create less of a heat sink. This lowers light pollution and energy expended.

The results? Better quality of life for us and future generations.

I think we’ll see many more changes going forward. How have you seen parking evolve?

Share

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email

Tags: , , , , ,

LED Lighting Trends in Commercial Construction

March 1, 2012 in Conservation, Construction Trends, Green Building | 1 comment

Electricity is the #2 operating expense for most properties. Lowering cost can be a real game changer.

We’re about to commence our second LED exterior lighting package at the Redstone Arsenal and in the process should achieve about a 70% energy savings. Here is what we are seeing across the board: 

Landlords are investing. There is less new construction, but we see landlords taking more time to investigate energy efficient designs for new projects and existing holdings as well. Smart move. They are creating value on the front end and midway by making properties not only brighter, but lower cost long term.

Lighting technologies are advancing the cause of efficiency. This includes LEDs, induction, wireless controls and more. Coupled with contributions from local utilities, long term efficiency helps offset the upfront costs of retrofitting with these products. Creating and then sustaining energy efficiency is becoming the topic of action in addition to words.

Tenants are voicing their opinion. There is more pressure on property owners and managers to become more energy efficient. In return it brings along some postive press and good will.

Savings are being monitored in real time. New management systems like netLiNK wireless controls have the ability to control individual fixtures and verify the actual savings.

LED lighting is continuing to evolve. Manufacturing is getting more efficient and technology costs continue to burn off. There are still some challenges, especially for parking field lighting. There are now LED lighting applications which provide adequate light levels on taller poles including 35 & 40’ poles.

Induction is becoming a bigger player. Induction is another excellent light source rated for a burn life of about 100,000 hours. It is akin to fluorescent, but with no internal cathodes to fail. It seems that for canopies, garages, wall mounts and lower wattage “area” applications, induction is an excellent light source and typically costs less than LED. However, induction still a new frontier.

What experience have you had with LEDs, natural white and induction? Would you recommend one system over the other? 

Share

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email

Tags: , , , , , ,

A Simple Garden Grows More than Produce

April 27, 2011 in Community Service, Conservation, Customer Relationships, Family, Team Building | No comments

Three years ago we decided to plant a few tomato plants beside our office. That small patch of land has become much more.

Our plot has grown into a full garden featuring silver queen corn, rosemary, strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, watermelons, squash, turnip greens, cucumbers, peppers and of course—tomatoes.

Beyond the beautiful produce, the beds have become a way for our company to share with the community. In the height of the growing season we harvest vegetables and put them on our kitchen table.

We share among our employees, friends that drop by and our neighbors. One year we had an over-abundance of tomatoes, so it became a team effort to see what all you could make out of a tomato. You’d be amazed at the creative recipes.

It is a joy for all of our employees to share what we grow with our customers. When we build a building we give them a home for their team, but being able to share from our garden extends into their homes as well.

Those personal relationships are the foundation of our company.

Share

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email

Tags: , , , , , , ,

A Simple Flower Can Bring A Company Together

April 5, 2011 in Community Service, Conservation, Family, Preservation, Team Building | No comments

Every year, we have a Christmas gathering to bring all the Stewart Perry families together.

The first year this reunion was held at our place, we spent one Saturday morning planting several hundred daffodils across the lake on the hillside. We chose that spot because it is visible from our conference room and is a reminder of renewal and hope that comes with each new year.

The experience that Saturday with our team and their families was invaluable. We all worked together to create a nice addition to our campus. In the years since then we have added more daffodils so that now every spring across the lake we have a beautiful vista of flowers.

Our daffodils are the gift that continues to give year after year. When we construct an “owner occupied building”, during the design stage, I share with the client that to me a building should be more than 4 walls and a roof and that it should leverage important values of the company. In our case, the daffodils serve us as a reminder to our team of the importance of being cohesive. I wonder what are the important values that your environment helps to communicate?

 

 

Share

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email

Tags: , , , , , , ,

It’s the little things that add up…Some New Year’s Resolutions you might consider

December 28, 2010 in Conservation, Construction Trends, Green Building | 2 comments

I read recently that nearly 1,200 pounds of trash is produced by the average person per year. We ignore that scrap of paper or old cardboard box but it all adds up.  The drip-drip-drip process eventually turns into a river of trash.

When we moved into our offices 3 years ago, one of my main objectives was to reduce our waste that was taken off site. Our ultimate goal is to have no rubbish coming from of our campus and this might be a bit unrealistic.

Here are some simple steps we have taken:

  • We have two receptacles at each desk; one for trash, the other for recycling. This has allowed us to get a fresh perspective on what we throw away each day and for our folks to get the message that reducing waste is important.
  • Since starting this policy, we have greatly reduced the amount of waste, that in turn, reduces what is taken to the landfill and in addition reduce our carbon footprint. When we practice what we preach at the office, I believe this message gets taken home as well.
  • We have banned the use of bottled water. This is one of the leading causes of trash. A great example is shown here with this infographic about bottled water.
  • We also have banned Styrofoam cups, paper plates and plastic utensils and now use dishes and silverware. A dishwasher is a very efficient appliance.

What steps might you take to reduce your trash and increase your recycling?

Share

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email

Tags: , , , ,

Trend Spotting: Adaptive Re-use of Existing Commercial Properties

October 5, 2010 in Conservation, Construction Trends, Remodeling | No comments

It’s not surprising that in the U.S., only one new enclosed mall has opened in the last 4 years. In that same time, it has been estimated that nearly 500 of the 2,000+ malls in our country have closed. That translates to a lot of property and structures available for immediate use. But who wants to buy mall space nobody is frequenting? That’s where a growing trend comes into play.

Renovation and adaptive re-use of malls and other commercial properties is on the rise. Many of these properties are strategically located but need to be oriented in another direction. The focus is on taking existing assets and making them stronger by redeveloping them or retrofitting them for a use different from the original intent.

According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, Simon Properties has earmarked its entire $200 million-plus construction budget this year for renovation and redevelopment rather than new building. Others are taking a similar path by changing vacant properties for completely new uses. From my involvement, I see this movement continuing, at least in the short and mid term future.

Another trend we see is, where weather permits, the concept of opening enclosed spaces to the outdoors. It’s “de-malling” the mall, so to speak. That doesn’t mean the existing structures have to be torn down. We are just finding new ways to use these older properties.

The bonus? Adapting existing structures for new use is about as green as it gets. We’re not disturbing any untouched land and we’re cutting back on suburban sprawl. It’s a win-win.


Share

_____________________________________________________________

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Give Smarter Commutes the “Green” Light

October 1, 2010 in Conservation, Green Building, Preservation | 2 comments

Nearly every sizeable city in the United States struggles with clogged arteries. It’s a sea of traffic signals, brake lights and all-around urban sprawl. The roads in and out of town stack up during rush hour with smog-spewing traffic jams.

Nobody enjoys sitting in traffic, so there is personal motivation to eliminate tie-ups. It saves time and reduces frustration. It can also reduce pollution.

Here are a few things we have done to limit the impact employee vehicles have on the environment, at least while they are at work:

  • At our office, the best parking spaces are for carpools only. This encourages our team to find a friend to ride with. It saves them gas money too.
  • Our parking lot has low flow paving, so there is less effect on the ecosystem.
  • An island in the lot is filled with plants to limit our carbon dioxide impact.
  • We offer flex hours, so employees may choose to come in at times when traffic is lower, eliminating the extra pollutants emitted while waiting in traffic.
  • Employees can connect to their email out of the office. If they would like to work from home occasionally, it cuts down on gas and pollution.

This is an example of how being green can have benefits beyond the impact on the environment.

But we can always do better. The key is cooperation, especially among officials of neighboring municipalities. After all, polluted air and water does not stop at the city limits. Low-efficiency buildings in one area suck energy from the overall power grid. By pulling together, cities can adopt sustainable practices that will both preserve natural resources and enhance the quality of life.

What steps are you taking to lower your business’ carbon footprint?


Share

_____________________________________________________________

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Want to Build a Greener Society? Demand It.

August 21, 2010 in Community Service, Conservation, Construction Trends, Green Building, Leadership, LEED certified, Preservation | 1 comment

I’ve heard it a million times: “Actions speak louder than words.”

In a country like the U.S., where we vote with our dollars, that becomes even more true. We make a demand and the supplier who meets it wins the sale. Sometimes the government—the officials we elected to regulate policy—can give a push to make it happen. The question is, are we speaking up?

Three weeks ago, we bought a used van for our millwork shop. With a price tag of only $500, it seemed like a great deal. A few days later our shop foreman said the van was getting barely 12 MPG. No problem, I thought. We just need a tune up. Sadly, that did nothing.

The van is circa mid to late 90s. We checked, and the rated MPG when it was brand new was only 13 MPG. At the time, that was all the federal government required. As it turns out, it was operating at peak fuel efficiency.

Due to the rising price of gas, consumer demands and resulting government regulations, fuel-efficiency standards have increased. Pickup trucks are in the 20-MPG range now. Down the road, they’ll probably get closer to 30 MPG. To me, this is an example of the government pressing us to do better. In a perfect world, we’d all become more energy efficient on our own. But the reality is, sometimes laws are needed to encourage businesses (and people) to do the right thing.

On January 1, 2011 every building permit issued in the state of California must be designed to meet green standards. I have no doubt that this can be accomplished throughout the U.S.  I believe we can improve our overall energy efficiency and sustainability practices, like we did with fuel mileage.

So, are you letting manufacturers and elected officials know what you want? We can prompt a gentle nudge in the right direction.


Share/Bookmark

_____________________________________________________________

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , ,

New EPA Regulations Usher in Construction Stewardship

July 7, 2010 in Conservation, Construction Trends, Green Building, Leadership, Management, Preservation | No comments

If it has not already, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will eventually impact us all. The environment and the livelihoods of many are at stake. The tragedy is a “wake up call” reminder that we only have one earth, and we all have a stake in pollution control.

Environmental responsibility has always hit home with us. Construction activities that disturb large areas of soil have the ability to pollute, and while the impact maybe not on the scale of the Gulf oil crisis, the total effects can have a far-reaching impact. For us, proper management has always been paramount.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has some new standards going into effect with the Final Effluent Guidelines which will impact construction grading.

Effective February 2010, this initiative is designed to save our creeks, rivers and lakes from about 4 billion pounds of sediment which presently flows into them annually.

Under the new law, all construction site owners and contractors will be responsible for implementing best management practices.

While the new rules are designed to be flexible, accommodating site-specific conditions, they also include a required discharge report for rain events. The water quality report measures turbidity, or the suspended solids in a liquid that make it hazy. In many states a background test is performed before construction begins, and sites may not add more than 50 parts per million to effected water. This would be the expected change during a normal rain event at a natural site.

IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
The EPA is phasing in the new law to allow local authorities, other governmental agencies, owners and contractors to adjust to the new regulations. Starting in mid-2011, any site that disturbs 20 acres or more will be required to comply. The regulations will apply to 10-acre sites starting in 2014. Where states have issued their own construction storm water permits in the past, the new rule must be incorporated into any permits issued after the effective date.

While these new regulations will obviously impact cost, to me, it is better than the alternative.


Share/Bookmark

_____________________________________________________________

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , , ,

On the Horizon: A Concrete that Eliminates Storm Water Management Systems

May 28, 2010 in Conservation, Management, Preservation, Projects, Technology | No comments

We try to keep our finger on the pulse of best management practices for today’s construction. To us, that happens when quality means/methods balance with an eye toward the environment. Pervious concrete can do both.

Pervious concrete is a wonderful concoction that holds up structurally and is porous enough that water can seep through it and flow back into the aquifer. It has polymers that glue the aggregate together, simultaneously allowing open cells to be formed in the concrete. The top inch filters out particulars such as oil and grease and the storm water flows through.

We had our first encounter with pervious concrete 5 years ago on one of our Florida projects. Since then, we have used it on several more sites. Here’s what we have learned from our experience:

● The product works better on sandy soil, which affords good drainage.

● Some pervious pavements fail because of insufficient drainage, especially in climates that experience heavy winter freezes that harden the ground.

● Shale aggregates in the concrete can break under freeze/thaw conditions, clogging the water flow.

● The selection of aggregate in the sub-base is important, and the curing process is crucial. A seven-day, wet-curing period is what we have learned works best.

Pervious concrete is a Best Management Practice recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. While it is a little more expensive than traditional concrete, additional cost will be balanced by the reduction or elimination of traditional storm water management systems like retention ponds and sewer tie-ins.

Share/Bookmark

_____________________________________________________________

Merrill Stewart is Founder and President of the Stewart Perry Company, a commercial building contractor based in Birmingham, Ala. Contact him via email.

Tags: , , , , ,

« Older entries