Johnson County Conservation Board Headquarters and Maintenance Facility

The Headquarters Building and the Maintenance Facility, two separate projects designed for the Johnson County Conservation Board, and located in the County's flagship public park, were first occupied March 25, 2010. The Conservation Board, in concert with its mission, recognized the importance of constructing highly sustainable facilities. Their direction to the design team was "give us two LEED certified buildings within the existing project budget." In July 2011, both projects were awarded The United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification, giving these two buildings the highest sustainability rating among County owned facilities.

• Johnson County Conservation Board Headquarters and Maintenance Facility
• F.W. Kent Park
• 2048 Highway 6 NW
• Oxford, Iowa 52322

• Headquarters Building Area: 4,704 ft²
• Maintenance Facility Area: 8,231 ft²
• Cost of Construction: $1,915,000

Sustainable Elements

Elements

Both projects are LEED registered. The LEED Design Application is in process. At this time both buildings are on schedule to receive a Gold Certification.

Site

• Construction Activity Pollution Prevention – Reduce Storm Water Runoff and Erosion.
• Site Selection – No Development on Wetlands or Critical Slopes.
• Landscaping – Use 100% native vegetation and/or noninvasive species.
• Site Development – Maximize Open Space - 50% Plus Site Restoration.
• Alternative transportation:
  • Designated Parking, Low Emitting & Fuel Efficient Vehicles
  • Designated Parking, Car Pool / Van Pool
  • Bicycle Storage & Changing Rooms Provided
  • Parking Capacity at Code Minimum
• Stormwater Management – Constructed Wetland for Stormwater Management
• Reduce Heat Island Effect:
  • Roof: Solar Reflectance Index @ 29 or greater
  • Paving: Solar Reflectance Index @ 29 or greater
• Light Pollution Reduction:
  • Lighting Designed to Minimize Light Trespass Beyond Site
  • Lighting Designed to Comply With Dark Skies Initiative

Water Efficiency

• Water Efficient Landscaping – No Potable Water for Irrigation.
• Innovative Wastewater Technologies – Constructed Wetland for Tertiary Sewage.
• Water Use Reduction – Low Flow Fixtures- Dual Flush Toilets Reduce Water Use by 41%

Energy and Atmosphere

• Green Power – Purchase Renewable Energy Certificates.
• Enhanced Refrigerant Management – No CFCs or HCFCs Used.
• Optimize Energy Performance:
  • Enhanced Building Commissioning
  • Geothermal Loop Field for Heating & Cooling
  • Automation System to Regulate HVAC Energy Use
  • Radiant Panels for Heating and Cooling
  • Water to Air Heat Pumps to Heat Equipment Space
  • Domestic Water Heated by Geothermal Heat Pumps
  • Total Heat Recovery – Ventilation Air
  • High Efficiency Motors for HVAC Equipment
  • Variable Speed Drives for HVAC Motors
  • High Performance Lighting- Use LEDs where appropriate
  • High Performance Lighting Fixtures, Lamps, and Ballast
  • Lighting Control by Occupancy Sensors, Photocells, and Time of Day Control
  • Air Lock Vestibules – Exterior Entrances
  • Enhanced Thermal Envelope - Structural Insulated Panels at Roof and Exterior Walls
  • Windows: Energy Star compliant, low E2, argon filled, insulated glass in low VOC foam filled pultruded fiberglass frames
  • Total Energy Use Performance of Both Buildings Models @ 50% Beyond the Requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code and ASRAE 90.1

Material and Resources

• Storage and Collection of Recyclables – Storage Space Provided.
• Reduced Materials – Polished or Sealed Concrete Floors Throughout.
• Construction Waste Management – Divert 88% from disposable waste stream.
• Recycled Content – 21.2% Recycled Materials per Total Material Cost.
• Regional Materials – 24.9% Extracted, Processed & Manuf. Within 500 Miles (TMC).

Indoor Environmental Quality

• Construction Indoor Air Quality Management – Implemented During Construction.
• Tobacco Smoke Control – No Smoking Policy Enforced During Construction & Occupancy.
• Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring – CO2 Sensors @ HQ.
• Indoor Environmental Quality:
  • Ventilation Beyond Code Minimum @ MF.
  • Ultra Violet Lights @ Cooling Coils to Prevent Mold.
  • No Carpet.
• Low Emitting Material:
  • Low VOC Adhesives & Sealants.
  • Low VOC Paint & Coatings.
  • Low VOC Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products.
• Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control – Radon & Moisture - Install Under Slab Vapor Barrier With Less Than .01 Perms.
• No added urea formaldehyde in materials or products.
• Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control – Walk-Off Mats at all HQ Entries.
• Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control:
  • Air Locks, Seals, & Vapor Barrier – Garage / Office.
  • Control High Efficiency Air Filtration – MERV 16.
  • Isolate / Ventilate Custodial and Copy Rooms.
• Individual Control of Systems:
  • Lighting – Control to Suit Individual Tasks - 90% minimum.
  • Thermal – Adjustable for Individual Comfort – 50% minimum.
• Thermal Comfort Design – Design Thermal Environment to Meet ASHRAE Standard 55-2004.
• Thermal Comfort Verification – Post Occupancy Survey–Implement Corrective Action if needed.
• Daylight & Views:
  • Daylight 75% of Occupied Spaces With 2% Glazing Factor – HQ.
  • Provide Direct Line of Sight Outdoors for 90% of Occupants - HQ.

Operations and Maintenance

• Owner's Manual – Provide Manual Describing Routine Operations & Maintenance for all HVAC Operation, Water System Controls, Lighting Equipment and Controls.
• Training – Provide On Site Training to the Owner for Operations and Maintenance for all HVAC and Electrical Systems.