Celebrating 125 Years: Innovation and Sustainable Design

CSHQA in early morning light

Energy Star was created by the EPA and US Department of Energy in 1992; green leader USGBC was founded in 1993, followed by LEED™ in 1994; Green Globes expanded to the United States from Canada in 2004. 

Sustainable design has been a driving force at CSHQA since the 1970's and continues ever stronger today.  In 2013 CSHQA’s Boise office moved to its present location at 200 Broad Street.  LEED registered with a goal of Platinum, the once 60-year-old warehouse is now one of the most energy efficient commercial office buildings in the state and the only one to use a radiant system for both heating and cooling.  Geothermal heat, daylight harvesting, LED lighting, low-water-use features, a thorough commissioning process, and extensive HVAC and lighting controls all contribute to an estimated EUI [Energy Use Intensity] of 30*, far less than median US office of ~150-200**. 

 

Conceived as a laboratory for high performance design, this building and the team who conceived it place CSHQA firmly in the 21st century with our focus on the future of innovative and sustainable architecture and engineering.  –

 

 

* Preliminary figure.  A more precise EUI will be available after the building has experienced a full year of post-commissioning operation.

** Comparative EUI figures based on benchmarking of more than 100,000 buildings can be found on the Energy Star website: http://www.energystar.gov/buildings/sites/default/uploads/tools/DataTrends_Energy_20121002.pdf?bebf-1d6e

 

8 Very Cool Things about CSHQA Boise



CSHQA Boise Entry and Front Desk

We've settled in, learned the ropes and nearly dialed in the control systems for heating, lighting, ventilation and even the alarm system. What an amazing space of sophisticated and sustainable design and brilliant engineering. Here’s a quick tour of my favorites:

1. Cool foyer.
2. All of our work stations are on one floor in a big, open, collaborative space. Makes you feel truly connected and part of the energy.

3. Our ‘deli’ is bright and sunny and a nice place to eat lunch or take some time away. Come spring the patio will be extra nice.

4. The Big Kahuna – CSHQA Conference Room. It’s the largest of 5 meeting spaces.

5. Cool, filtered water that tastes great! A counter shows how many plastic bottles we have saved from a landfill.

6. Lavender plants – still blooming in November! Along the western wall of the access ramp.

7. Green and then some! This is one of five greens to be found on the northern interior wall. It's our own custom color. 2b is shorthand for Second & Broad Streets.

8. My total geek out room – the Mechanical Room. These five pumps help circulate glycol through 4.6 miles of pex under the concrete slab floor to warm or cool our space.

CSHQA Concrete Pour - Last Look at the Radiant Floor System

Radiant floor system before the concrete pour.

Last week the second of two concrete pours covered the final section of radiant floor system at CSHQA's new offices at 2nd & Broad and marked a major milestone in this 5-month construction project.  Crews started at 6:30 am and by 10:30 the initial pour was nearly complete (to be followed by many hours of detailed finish work.) 

The yellow, lego-like substrate of interlocking panels provides built-in spacing and fastening for the PEX tubing, plus insulation for heating and cooling functions.  The system extends throughout the entire office except for a few spaces such as walls and the entryway foyer.  Nearly 5 miles of PEX were covered by approximately 2-7/8 inches of concrete.

Once connected to Boise's geothermal system the radiant system will provide low-cost heating; in warm months cold water will be pumped through for cooling.  This comfortable, energy efficient system completely replaces convential furnace and forced-air systems and the operational savings are expected to be significant. –



Pre-cut sub-structure boards are used as guides for an even pour.





Using their boots the crew works the concrete into the panel system. 



Smooth floor wall to wall.