Michels and Waldron Associates, LLC is a firm committed to the principles of sustainable design with a history of applying an expertise to sustainable projects. The office has been incorporating sustainable design elements in all projects regardless of size and scope; from energy efficient single family residences to large, complex projects obtaining LEED certification. Our firm works closely with the client, consulting engineers, facility managers and building occupants using the integrated or "whole building" design process resulting in a truly sustainable building.
Currently we are working on the new Anheuser-Busch distribution center for the New York City metropolitan area. In addition to architectural design services, our office is overseeing the LEED certification process for this project. In addition we are collaborating with Linens-N-Things in an effort to obtain LEED certification for their flagship store in Secaucus, NJ; this is currently being reviewed by the USGBC. We are assisting Master Cutlery in Secaucus, NJ coordinate with the NJ Meadowlands Commission the installation of photovoltaics on the building roof.
All projects whether they are LEED certified or not are fully reviewed for maximum energy efficiency through site analysis, building envelope analysis and the use of high performance building elements (glazing, efficient lighting and efficient HVAC systems).
There are several LEED Accredited Professional on staff assisting with the certification of the Anheuser-Busch project. Several other staff members are currently in the process of becoming LEED APs.
The following are components of sustainable design we would attempt to incorporate into retail power centers:
Site Design
- Building Orientation Analysis For Maximum Daylighting
- Brownfield Redevelopment
- Stormwater Management- Pervious pavement system and grid pavers
- 1) Increase on-site infiltration and manage run-off
- 2) Remove pollutants from stormwater run-off
- Heat Island Reduction- Helps overall energy performance of the building
by altering the microclimate of the site for the better
- 1) High albedo surface materials adjacent to building (i.e. white concrete)
- 2) Maximize landscaping as feasibly as possible
- 3) EnergyStar complaint roof system
- Transportation And Parking
- 1) Proximity to public transportation
- 2) Bicycle Commuting- route and path analysis; site storage
Water Management / Efficiency
- High Efficiency Irrigation for Landscaping
- Low water fixtures and sensor controls
Energy Efficiency
- Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency- Energy Modeling
- 1) Building orientation on site
- 2) Building envelope analysis
- 3) Systems analysis: lighting, HVAC
- Renewable Energy Analysis
- 1) Photovoltacis- Solar energy panels
- Daylighting
- 1) Light shelves
- 2) Exterior light fins
- 3) Skylights
- Building Commissioning
Materials and Resources
- Recycled Building Materials
- Rapidly Renewable Materials
- Certified Building Materials
Indoor Air Quality
- Low or No VOC Finishes
- Low Emitting Materials
The above is a minimum potential list of design strategies. With project site and program specifics, a more accurate list of what can actually be accomplished can be created. The above however should not be interpreted as a checklist of single items; they are an integrated list of design elements that work in concert with each other to create a truly sustainable building. These design elements must be analyzed early, before or during schematic design in order to produce a really effective sustainable building.