Computer Transportation Services
This single-story slab on grade metal structure is designed to meet present and future needs of a dynamic young company that handles the shipping / moving of delicate electronic equipment. CTS opened for business in their new facility February 16, 2009.
- Computer Transportation Services
- 120th Street
- Breda, Iowa 51436
- Area: 8,000 ft2
- Cost of Construction: $1,700,000
Sustainable Elements
Elements
The owner's intent was to construct a high performance, energy efficient, sustainable building to accommodate the daily operations of thirty-plus employees.
Site
- Provide bicycle storage, showers, and changing rooms.
- Reduce site disturbance, maintain open space, and manage storm water run-off and erosion.
- Reduce heat island effect – reflective, high emissivity roofing, pervious materials at parking.
- "Dark Sky" exterior light fixtures are used for the parking lot lighting and for the building exterior lighting. No light is emitted above horizontal from these fixtures. Exterior lighting is controlled by photocell sensors.
Water Efficiency
- Use no potable water for landscaping.
Energy and Atmosphere
- Low temperature geothermal heat pump HVAC for building.
- Heat pumps are specified to have environmentally friendly refrigerant. That would qualify for LEED points.
- Each office has own temperature control combining heat pump and variable volume control for HVAC.
- Variable speed drives are used for the geothermal loop field circulating pumps to minimize the pumping energy used.
- The dedicated outside and exhaust air unit has a total heat recovery wheel which transfer both sensible (temperature) and latent (moisture) energy from/to the building exhaust to/from the incoming building ventilation air.
- DDC building automation system will provide capability to turn on the off HVAC to meet actual building demands, consequently eliminating the overcooling or overheating that occurs without the building wide control system in place.
- Plumbing fixtures that are low water consumption type. Lavatory facets are electric that automatically close after a short period to eliminate water waste.
- Interior lighting is controlled by occupancy sensor which detects occupants in a room and automatically shut off lighting fixtures if the room is unoccupied.
- High-efficiency electronic ballast and high-efficiency fluorescent lamps used in lighting fixtures.
Material and Resources
- Construction waste management practices and procedures as practical and available.
- Increased thermal resistance at building envelope exceeds requirements of model energy code.
- Energy star compliant windows – low E, argon-filled, insulated glass in pultruded fiberglass frames. Glass controls solar heat gain while maintaining high percentage of visible light transmittance.
Indoor Environmental Quality
- Improved indoor air quality low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint, varnishes, adhesives, sealants, and caulk.
- Enhanced Indoor air quality:
- No use of urea formaldehyde.
- Separate and ventilate areas where chemical use occurs.
- Walk-off mats to control dust and dirt.
- No exposure to tobacco smoke / products.
- Reduced use of materials:
- Polished concrete floors in lieu of floor covering.
- Exposed structure in lieu of suspended ceiling.
- Recycled / Renewable Materials:
- Steel structure, siding, roofing, and framing.
- Cabinet boxes of pressed sunflower seeds.
- Countertops of recycled paper.
- Fiberglass roof insulation - window frames.
- Concrete aggregate of blast-furnace slag, recycled glass, or porcelain.
- Entry mats of recycled rubber and metal.
- Composite wood products of recycled material.
- Local / Regional Materials – preference for use of materials manufactured within 500-mile radius; reduce embodied energy.
- Daylight and views – natural day lighting; building designed to reduce dependence on artificial illumination and harvest sunlight. Naturally day-lit spaces reduce absenteeism and improve productivity. Views of the outdoors provided from each work station and the majority of accessory-use areas.
