2022SummerMagazine_Web

per month to NIPSCO. If clients follow a rigid
heating and cooling guideline, our green
buildings would be about half of that,” said
Kreith. The LEED-Platinum Valparaiso home
pays zero to NIPSCO every month for their
electric use and actually receives a kilowatt
(KW) credit since the solar panels produce
more energy than the home is actually using.
Site selection works in tandem with carbon
footprint reduction. “The optimum choice is to
pick a site where you’re closest to your people
to minimize the amount of travel they have to
do,” explained Lewis. Placing a building close
to a grocery store, walking or bike trails, public
transportation, restaurants, and coffee shops
encourages people to commute less which in
turn reduces emissions.
Clean, Clear Water
from Site to Stream
When rainwater rushes over parking
lots, streets, sidewalks, and
lawns, it picks up pesticides, oils,
sediment, debris, and other
pollutants, “ultimately ending up in our rivers
and lakes,” said Lewis. “Let’s say we’re building
a building in Valparaiso. We must be cognizant
of where the rainwater goes so it’s not
impacting the rest of the community in a negative
way,” explained Lewis. Native plantings,
best management practices, and low flow
sinks and toilets can aid water conservation
and improve water quality.
Health and Happiness
“The most current trend in sustainable design
is wellbeing of the occupants, which has
ramped up significantly in the past five years.
Clients are really concerned about the indoor
environmental quality of the space,” said
Lewis. To enhance indoor air quality, ERVs,
also known as fresh air exchangers, pull crisp
outside air into your HVAC unit while pushing
old air out. “You’re constantly getting
fresh air in your house without opening windows
or doors, and letting sickness, pollen,
mold, and other allergens escape,” said Kreith.
Indoor air quality is a significant contributor
to the health and happiness of its occupants,
but so are outdoor views, natural light, inside
plants, Zen rooms, social areas, dedicated fitness
space, and walking trails, which have also
become priorities for clients in recent years.
Sustainability for the Future
Whether desirable or not, everything we do
in Valparaiso leaves a lasting mark. By using
environmentally-friendly building materials,
thoughtfully selecting sites, and considering
the health and happiness of a building’s occupants,
Kreith and Lewis are working to ensure
that future generations inherit a healthy, thriving
environment.
“Architects and builders create and manipulate
the built environment. Green building
means that we do our work by leaving as little
impact on the natural environment as we can,”
said Lewis.
Photo provided by
Younique
Design + Build
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