CONTECTS CONSULTANTS AND ARCHITECTS

INTRODUCTION

In commercial applications, energy-efficiency and occupant comfort are so closely linked that both factors should be considered simultaneously. A project manager must take into account the interactions between the building site, the thermal envelope, and mechanical systems to balance the overall performance of the structure. We support energy initiatives with a range of consulting services in a quality assurance process that increases the probability that a new facility is functioning as intended, ultimately, meeting the owner’s expectations. Contects believes in the importance of management practices that are economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable.

LEED® Consulting Services

Contects Consultants and Architects will employ the principles of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) process to navigate the project from registration through successful certification of a high-performance, sustainable building.

Services offered:

Pre-Design Phase

o Assess appropriate LEED standard for the project.
o Identify challenges and low-hanging fruit.
o Establish environmental goals.

LEED Design Charrette

o Facilitate a discussion identifying feasible green building measures, the LEED credits associated with those measures, and the responsible party.
o Establish a LEED Action Plan.

Design Phase

o Facilitate the decision-making processes with the intent of obtaining the best value for the owner concerning durability, technology applications, and cost implications.
o Provide support and consulting to each team member assessing building performance and environmental goals.
o Provide support for specification language, templates, forms, etc. to communicate LEED requirements.
o Review drawings and specifications for LEED compliance.
o Submit Design Phase LEED submittals the USGBC.

Construction Phase

o Define roles, responsibilities, and communication links for General Contractor.
o Conduct site monitoring of LEED sustainability strategies and construction verifying compliance with credit requirements.
o Provide sustainability training seminars for contractor personnel, ensuring the execution of the LEED processes and required submittals to facilitate certification.
o Develop construction Indoor Air Quality Plan and monitor General Contractor's performance of this plan.
o Develop and coordinate local sustainable alternatives to maximize recycling of waste materials for the Construction Waste Management Plan.

Preparation of Submittal Package

o Conduct central collection and control of all documentation needed to facilitate the certification application required by the USGBC.
o Submit up to two credit interpretations to the USGBC
o Certification application package meeting the prescribed process requirements that will be submitted to the USGBC, on the behalf of the project owner.

LEED® Commercial Experience

Silver Ventures, Full Goods Warehouse (Pearl Brewery Development) - This is an adaptive re-use project of what was once the Pearl Brewery warehouse. The project will encompass 59,000 square feet of conditioned space and will be a mixed-use development, which includes office, retail, restaurant, and residential spaces, located near downtown San Antonio, Texas. The goal of the project is the achievement of LEED for Core & Shell, Version 2.0 certification. Contects is currently leading project team members through the design, construction, and document submittal process for LEED certification.

U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers, USACE Tenant Fit Up - For this 55,000 square foot adaptive re-use project, the Department of Defense established certain goals to enhance the performance and environment benefits of the project. The sustainable properties will be measured and verified using the LEED Green Building Rating System developed by the USGBC to promote sustainable construction practices. Contects provides the general contractor, G.W. Mitchell & Sons, with the technical expertise to successfully navigate the LEED process and achieve the targeted LEED Gold Certification. For this project, Contects developed a construction waste management plan to recycle 75% of the demolition and construction waste, and a construction IAQ plan. In addition, Contects is providing subcontractor training, reviewing all submittals for LEED compliance, monitoring the job site for LEED compliance, and will submit the requisite documents for the final LEED certification and review process.