For a second time in thirty days, a Smet construction project has achieved LEED Certification status! This time the LEED Certification has been awarded to the Solberg headquarters construction project for its sustainable design and construction. As reported previously, the LEED acronym stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and the certification program is administered by the U.S. Green Building Institute. Certification is applied for after the project is completed so even though you can plan ahead by following an environmentally friendly design with proper execution, a project manager doesn’t know 100% how the Institute will review the entire project until the actual award.
In this case, Smet constructed a $4.8 million project which focused on building a new manufacturing facility, offices and a research laboratory for Solberg. It is one of several projects in the village of Howard to be LEED certified. Solberg is a global supplier of fire-fighting foam concentrates and equipment.
Sarah Reese, LEED AP ID+C with Smet was responsible for over-seeing and obtaining the LEED certification on behalf of our customer. “Working with the Solberg people was wonderful as they understood what it takes to become certified and were willing to go the extra mile to achieve this important status.” Sarah went on to say, “It was particularly important for our client to achieve LEED certification since they have a commitment to the environment with many of their unique products being environmentally sustainable. It is important to be a leader and to lead by example especially when your products have an effect on the environment.”
The project entailed construction of a manufacturing facility of 18,000 SF for fire prevention products and environmental control, fire suppression products. It also included a separate research building; a 6,800 SF test laboratory for “state-of- the-art fire research”. Smet oversaw the design build process, value engineering, bidding, and construction. The masonry and tilt-up concrete design was uniquely designed for the company’s needs and specific work. It was a “hybrid-design build” technique which involved working with the Solberg’s designer who specialized in laboratory and research facilities.
Located on 10 acres in an industrial park in the Village of Howard, Smet was able to secure a municipal governmental incentive which closed the gap funding resulting in a positive financial feasibility allowing the project to move forward.
Smet strives to use sustainable design practices and has the in-house ability to pursue LEED certification on your projects. If you have a project where LEED certification is important, contact us and ask us how we can help you achieve LEED certification.
For More Information:
Greg Polacheck
Director of Market Research
[email protected]
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