Project Description
Committed to Environmental Sustainability
Client: Golden Triangle Construction
Location: Imperial, Pennsylvania
Size: 12,000 SF New Construction
Before they approached RSSC Architecture, Golden Triangle Construction’s (GTC) existing facilities were cramped, poorly lit and incompatible uses were not well separated. When GTC decided to replace their existing building, they also agreed that their newly-designed facilities should be environmentally sustainable. With our assistance, they achieved their goal of meeting the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) requirements for LEED Gold Certification of their new campus.
RSSC designed the new office building as a separate structure from the maintenance shop. The workspaces in the new facility offer all employees access to views and daylight. The new campus has many sustainable features. Energy-efficient lighting and a geothermal heat pump are expected to reduce energy costs by more than 28% when compared to similar facilities. The installation of a water recycling system for the construction equipment cleaning machinery will reduce process water consumption by 95%. New landscaping will eliminate the need for irrigation and ultra-high efficiency water closets, urinals, faucets and showers will reduce potable water usage by more than 20%.
More than 15% of the materials used for the new buildings were salvaged or reused materials, some of the materials were manufactured from rapidly renewable resources and more than 40% of the materials were extracted, harvested or recovered within 500 miles of the project site. For example: the steel roof framing is comprised of salvaged guardrails from GTC’s local material stock and were fabricated into trusses on site. Additionally, all the interior finishes significantly reduce or eliminate the introduction of volatile organic compounds and more than 75% of the construction waste was diverted from landfills to be reused or recycled. RSSC Architecture is proud to have been a part of supporting Golden Triangle Construction’s commitment to providing their employees with a healthy working environment while reducing the environmental impact of the construction and operation of their new facilities.
