CxGBS® announced today that the new community center for Rocksprings Park in Athens, Georgia, for which the company performed commissioning and LEED Project Administration, has achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The firm employed their Holistic Commissioning® approach to provide guidance throughout the design and construction phases of the project in addition to providing training for the project team, owners and operational staff. The $2.1 million project involved the replacement of an outmoded, 1960s' era structure with a new, 8,100 square-foot building.
Duluth, GA (PRWEB) January 10, 2012
The completed facility includes administrative offices, dedicated and multi-purpose activity spaces, storage for equipment and furniture, a small kitchen, a central control station, an open lobby area and public facilities.
Landscape architect firm Doran & Karwoski, Inc., which was contracted by the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government to develop a master plan for the park, invited CxGBS to join the project team at the recommendation of Athens-Clarke County. "We had worked on LEED projects but didn't have any LEED AP professionals," said Owner Mary J. Karwoski, ASLA. "We wanted someone to help us through the process. CxGBS did a good job of facilitating all of the paperwork so when items were sent to the USGBC, everything was submitted properly."
Although the requirements for the master plan included LEED certification for all buildings, Karwoski credited CxGBS and construction contractor DSI Construction Group Inc. with pushing the project to LEED Gold. "The minimum required by the client was certified when we did our initial checklist," said Karwoski. "We thought we could achieve silver, but there were things that allowed us to pick up extra points.”
"One thing that really helped was to get everyone on same page," Karwoski said. "CxGBS came in and gave an overview of what we and the contractors needed to look for, and we got the construction contractor on board from the get-go. Even with best-laid plans, if you don’t have everyone buying into the project, it doesn’t work."
Goals for this project, from materials to design and construction of the building, were to encourage long-term serviceability, minimize maintenance, standardize components, simplify service and reduce costs. Yet, a core component for the community center was to provide an inviting, occupant-friendly environment.
"This challenge—to create energy-efficient, functional spaces that also address occupant comfort—is one of the main reasons companies and government entities turn to CxGBS for commissioning assistance," said Jay Enck, CEO, CxGBS. "Performing the commissioning and the LEED certification at the same time is a much more efficient approach, and in the case of the Rocksprings Park Community Center, education and engagement of all parties were the keys to achieving their goals."
About Rocksprings Park & Community Center
Operated by the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, this six-acre park features a 8,100 square-foot community center, pirate-ship inspired playground, outdoor pool, basketball courts and picnic pavilion. For more information, visit http://www.athensclarkecounty.com.
About CxGBS®
Commissioning & Green Building Solutions, Inc. (CxGBS®) is a nationally recognized green building consulting firm that helps clients build, operate and maintain environmentally friendly, top-performing buildings. The firm’s professionals work with project teams to reduce risk and apply sustainable development principles that lower the total cost of building ownership and create healthy conditions for occupants for the life of the building. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with satellite offices in Jackson, Mississippi; and Lenoir City, Tennessee, CxGBS® offers a comprehensive suite of services to provide high value solutions for better performing buildings including Sustainable Design Consulting, Holistic Commissioning®, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Certification Project Administration and Forensic Investigation. CxGBS is recognized by the General Services Administration (GSA) as a Schedule Contractor for its Federal Acquisition Service for Facilities Maintenance and Management (Contract # GS-21F-0069X). For more information, visit http://www.cxgbs.com.
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Jennifer Koon
Michael Mackenzie Communications
404-543-9636
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