2014
2030
C H A L L E N G E
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y A C T I O N P L A N
“Being a 2030 Challenge Leader
is our Sustainability differentiator;
fully integrated and ingrained in our
t e c h n i c a l a n d b u s i n e s s p r o c e s s e s .”
Photo Credits
Page 1 - First United Methodist Church,
image courtesy of Masters by Jacque
Page 3 - Conservation Hall at Executive Residence,
image courtesy of archimania
CONTENTS
TLC Commitment . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
GreenWeek. . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
A Bias Toward Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Ongoing Initiatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......4
Benchmark . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Future Sustainable Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
TLC Design Goals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
TLC Team Commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
TLC Engineer ing for Architec ture
2 014 Sustainable Ac tion Plan
PA R T I : S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y AT T LC
TLC Engineering for Architecture, Inc. committed to designing high performance, sustainable buildings before the
inception of LEED®. In 2003, our first project to achieve LEED certification was also Florida’s first LEED building – Stetson
University’s Lynn Business Center. By the end of 2013, a decade later, TLC achieved the milestone of 232 projects having
attained LEED certification through our efforts in engineering, consulting and commissioning. We’re proud to have
led the way in achieving numerous ‘firsts’ in sustainable building design and LEED certification and we continue our
commitment to be an industry leader in sustainable building design. Our portfolio of certified projects now exceeds 24
million square feet of sustainable space. Included in those projects are schools, offices, hospitals, municipal and federal
facilities and three of our own offices.
In addition to consulting on projects pursuing LEED certification, TLC provides engineering and consulting on projects
with many sustainable goals - net zero, Living Building Challenge, Green Globes, Florida Green Building Coalition and
more. Regardless of the rating scale, pursuit or aspiration towards a particular goal, TLC’s goal is to engineer, commission
and consult on buildings that operate efficiently, for the benefit of our environment, those owning and/or using the
facilities and the future of mankind.
C O M M I T M E N T T O S U S TA I N A B L E D E S I G N
TLC staff members serve on numerous local, state
and national USGBC committees and ASHRAE work
groups focused on sustainable design. We provide
support through active involvement in additional
organizations and faculties that advance the
engineering of sustainable facilities. We educate our
partners in the design and construction industry on
sustainability. TLC staff members regularly present
on sustainable design topics at a variety of national
and regional industry conferences, seminars and
symposiums.
The natural progression of our commitment to
sustainable design led us to accept the 2030 Challenge
in May 2009 and the AIA 2030 Commitment in
March 2010.
This living document is updated annually, reviewing
our accomplishments and setting the stage for the next
chapter. We note our achievements and raise the bar in
areas where we have met established milestones
and bring focus to those areas that may require
additional effort.
To that end, our strategies will be adjusted as we move
forward, setting near term implementation where
possible, identifying those strategies that will require
additional effort or time to achieve and adding stretch
goals that challenge us.
Our goals and initiatives are in two primary
categories:
•
•
Actions TLC takes as sustainable corporate citizens and
to operate our business sustainably
Goals that focus on engineering designs for our clients
Both are equally important as we ‘WALK THE TALK’.
First United Methodist Church
Orlando, FL
LEED NC 2.2 Silver
1
GREENWEEK2013
Following the successful launch of GreenWeek in 2012, the week-long education and
awareness event was repeated in 2013, with new speakers and internal activities.
GreenWeek2013 was held September 23 to 27 and included speakers (videostreamed to all TLC offices) from a peer MEP firm, the developer of a unique
sustainable farm-to-table enterprise, a national REIT focused on increasing energy
efficiency in existing office buildings and architects who are partners in a Living
Building Challenge project, along with an energy modeling competition among
TLC operating groups. TLC staff participated with the goal of sharing sustainable
solutions with our clients, partners and interested parties. Overall, GreenWeek
activities had more than 500 attendees, 20% who are clients of the firm. Our
educational efforts secured CEUs for both AIA and Professional Engineers licensed in
Florida (where the majority of the firm’s staff and numerous clients are
located), with 425 certificates issued.
Internally, during Green Week, TLC offices held daily events to raise
awareness of living sustainably at work.
•
“Let it Go!” spurred our staff to clean up our offices by recycling
literally thousands of pounds of drawings, specs and more.
•
“Purge your Pantry” included an organic coffee/tea mixer for staff,
while collecting non-perishable food for local food banks
•
“Model your Green” encouraged staff to wear their green/organic
clothing and be increasingly aware of origin
•
“What’s your Number?” provided education on which plastics are
accepted by local recyclers, how to use Energy Star Target Finder,
quantifying your commuter mileage/MPG, along with options for
mass transportation
•
“Find the Green” a photo scavenger hunt to locate various
sustainable products in and around TLC offices
TLC Green Week 2013 Activities
“GreenWeek 2013” ended with TLC staff participating in USGBC’s Green Apple Day of Service. Activities ranged from
planting sustainable gardens to educational activities for elementary and middle school-aged students.
A BIAS TOWARDS AC TION
TLC’s Sustainability Committee involves representatives from all of TLC’s business units. The group meets quarterly to
keep our engineering designs, skills and professional credentials at a competitive edge in the market. The Sustainability
Committee is organized in sub-committees and working groups, focusing on aspects of business practices, design,
commissioning, education and research. The seven sub groups are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
2
Carbon Footies Task Group
Tech Know How Task Group
RECON! Task Group
LEED Users Group
Building Performance Simulation Working Group
Commissioning Working Group
Energy Services Working Group
TLC Engineer ing for Architec ture
2 014 Sustainable Ac tion Plan
Accomplishments in 2013 include expanded educational offerings by each of the working groups and enhanced
coordination among the firm’s operating groups to achieve consistency in practice and delivery of our services across the
firm.
CARBON FOOTIES are the foot soldiers responsible for raising awareness among the TLC Team and partners, while also
suggesting and implementing policy changes in line with the 2030 Challenge goals. In addition to being an integral part
of the GreenWeek2013 activities, the Carbon Footies also accomplished the following in 2013:
•
•
•
•
Installed nearly donated 100 occupancy sensors in the Orlando office (housing corporate support and three operating
units)
Introduced a new Break Room Policy converting to the use of non-disposable plates, bowls and silverware
Published 52 Green Tips of the Week on the employee Intranet, sharing information and encouraging sustainable
behaviors
Supported the relocation of TLC’s corporate support group by leading the way in recycling unused office supplies and
excess equipment
TECH KNOW HOWS review sustainable design strategies, refining details and methodologies across TLC, sharing
information among the technical staff with the goal of increasing the use of various systems and products that
have proven themselves. Members of Tech Know How taught 20 classes in TLC’s University during 2013, connecting
participants through video links and sharing information on energy modeling, daylighting, commissioning, energy
conserving building systems products and more. By sharing this knowledge, design teams embrace strategies that help
achieve/exceed target energy use intensities and lighting power densities. “Homerooms”, lunch and learns and other
video-training conferences have helped spread knowledge among TLC’s offices, adding confidence to design teams’
decisions.
RECON! leads the way in evaluating evolving technologies for appropriate application in our designs. This group
focuses on the future - emerging technologies, new applications for existing technologies and being ‘hands on’ as these
technologies are initially incorporated into TLC designs. They are the eyes and ears of TLC’s sustainability culture - looking
ahead to identify trends, strategies and best practices across the design industry. Once a product or trend is thoroughly
vetted by RECON and incorporated into a successful project, it is packaged with lessons learned and moves to Tech Know
Hows to disseminate that knowledge within TLC.
In 2013, the Sustainability Committee added a LEED Users Group to gather and share LEED credit best practices,
provide training, assisting staff and partners with LEED v4 and supporting TLC staff members on the LEED AP credentialing
maintenance program. The LEED Users Group shares information internally among staff members and supports outreach
to TLC teaming partners. TLC is currently in pilot on the LEED Proven Provider program and the LEED Users Group assures
consistency across the firm.
The Building Performance Simulation Working Group, in 2013, provided a
homeroom series on energy modeling, sharing tips and tricks across the firm, among
energy modelers. They serve as the firm’s subject matter experts on building simulation.
The Commissioning Working Group meets monthly, sharing lessons learned,
experiences and standard processes across TLC’s operating units, striving continually
to focus on best practices. TLC’s focus on greening existing buildings resulted in
an Energy Services Working Group. This group, established in 2013, has
developed a standard report format which has been implemented across TLC and
is sharing information firm-wide on PACE, Energy Star Portfolio Manager and
other tools.
Conservation Hall
Tennessee Executive Residence
Oak Hill, TN
LEED NC 2.2 Gold
3
PA R T I I : S U S TA I N A B L E B U S I N E S S P R AC T I C E
O N G O I N G I N I T I AT I V E S / A C H I E V E M E N T S
- EDUCATION
•
TLC is an approved education provider for AIA, Florida Board of Professional Engineers and the Board of
Architecture and Interior Design. TLC staff members provides approved training for numerous architects,
contractors and others in the industry, with sessions tailored to their individual needs, frequently focusing
on sustainable design topics.
•
TLC staff presents the Energy Modeling Wizard to teaming partners, helping architects, contractors and building
owners the value of beginning energy modeling at the inception of a project in order to drive down the energy
demand through building massing, orientation and amount and location of glazing. This competitive game drives
how the value of energy modeling with real life design decisions.
•
Through TLC University, in 2013, firm-wide educational video conferences were offered to 3,307 class participants
with 28 course offerings directly related to energy and water efficient design processes and products. USGBC
Greenbuild sessions were offered in 23 teach-back sessions by conference attendees.
•
TLC staff members frequently serve as subject matter experts on sustainable design topics, along with hosting
tours of projects during construction to help educate others. During 2013 TLC staff spoke at numerous
conferences, including:
USGBC - Regional and National Events
CleanMed
Society of American Military Engineers
BOMA
AIA - Multiple State Events
DBIA
Health Care DesignASHE
Society for Marketing Professional Services ASHRAE
TLC participation in education events conferences, exhibits and project tours.
4
TLC Engineer ing for Architec ture
2 014 Sustainable Ac tion Plan
- PA P E R /R E C Y C L I N G
•
All TLC offices continue to recycle paper/cardboard/glass/plastic/aluminum. During GreenWeek 2013, our “Let it
Go!” activity reduced the paper clutter in our offices and also helped our Ft. Myers, Florida office make headway on
downsizing into new office space by archiving and recycling accumulated plans and specs. After more than a decade
in the same office, not only was there a considerable amount of paper ready to be recycled, but also office furniture and
unused office supplies. Surplus that wasn’t bought by a used office furniture vendor was donated to non-profit and
other causes, with the remainder being recycled.
•
After the 2004 hurricanes that battered southwest Florida, TLC’s Ft. Myers office used 137 pounds of copper wire for
temporary power at the office. In 2013, as they relocated into new office space, the copper was sold, with some of the
funds going to purchase supplies to create a Sustainability Wall of Fame, constructed from recycled lumber and LED
lights to showcase just some of the LEED certificates earned on projects engineered and commissioned by staff in that
office.
•
All practical TLC internal HR/Financial documents are handled electronically.
•
Firm financials are available electronically on-line to all staff members.
•
New employee orientation is as paperless as practical. The Day 1 Welcome to TLC package is delivered via email with
hyperlinks to all referenced documents, minimizing waste and providing new employees with access to information
as it is updated/changes.
•
Marketing materials/reports are shared electronically among TLC Offices
•
TLC marketing materials are printed on at least 50% post consumer recycled content or FSC-certified paper stock
and printed with bio-based, non-toxic inks, when possible.
•
We recycle shipping materials from deliveries for materials being shipped out.
Moorings Park
Naples, FL
LEED for Homes SIlver
TLC Ft. Myers Ribbon Cutting
In front of Sustainability Wall of Fame
The Bridge Building
Nashville, TN
LEED C&S 2009 Platinum
(USGBC’s highest scoring
LEED CS 2009 project)
5
- E N E R G Y / WAT E R
•
TLC’s procurement policy permits only the purchase of
Energy Star compliant appliances and equipment, if the class
of equipment is Energy Star rated.
•
Incandescent lamps are prohibited under the procurement policy, along with
polystyrene (Styrofoam) plates, cups, bowls, etc. in our break rooms/kitchens.
•
Corporate-wide, printers and other office equipment that can be programmed to
shut down is set to do so, while those that must be manually powered down are
tasked to individuals or small groups for shutdown.
•
Duplex printing is the default option for those
printers capable and is required for all practical
situations.
•
Space and task lighting is manually turned off
(where sensors are not deployed) at the
end of the day or when not necessary.
Lake Nona Research & Academic Facility
Orlando, FL
LEED NC 2.2 Platinum
Seminole State College
Sanford, FL
LEED CI 2.2 Gold
6
TLC Engineer ing for Architec ture
2 014 Sustainable Ac tion Plan
- BENCHMARKING
As management consultant Peter Drucker has said: “If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it.”
In 2011 TLC collected information on the amount of energy used in our offices, for commuter and business travel.
This revealed that the greatest opportunity for reduction lie in managing our office energy use. Anecdotally, the
behavioral changes cited earlier in our GreenWeek programs and on-going initiatives have decreased our energy
and materials usage. Quantification of those improvements proves challenging since we do not have objective
baseline information about our usage before implementing these measures. We intend to develop ways to measure
our usage and to report on this in subsequent years.
While focusing on commuter and business travel has less overall impact, we continue to identify efficiencies
where possible. Due to changes in our IT structure, TLC offices can work cooperatively on projects through our
WAN, reducing travel. Additionally, projects being produced in AutoCADD are shared through Availl, while REVIT
projects can be opened across offices, gaining efficiency for project teams, while also decreasing travel-related
energy. In 2013, through a server upgrade and back-up reconfiguration, TLC reduced the number of servers by 10%,
subsequently requiring less power and reducing our energy demand.
TLC relies on video conferences for both client and internal meetings, where feasible, averaging approximately
15,000 minutes per month, supporting our ability to work across operating units on projects, while reducing travel
tim, and increasing coordination with clients and partners.
Broward College Institute for Public Safety
Davie, FL
LEED NC 2.2 Gold
Miami Dade College Culinary Arts Building
Miami, FL
LEED NC 2.2 Silver
7
PA R T I I I : F U T U R E S U S TA I N A B L E B U S I N E S S
PRACTICES
In addition to our continued focus on office energy reduction, we continue to identify and refine office procedures and
processes that further minimize paperwork, reduce travel and raise awareness of all TLC staff towards the over-arching goals
of the 2030 Commitment as we live sustainably in our offices. Additional benchmarks will define future steps. As data is
gathered, initiatives will be expanded, refined and enhanced with quantifiable goals. We will continue to focus our internal
efforts in three areas - Education, Paper/Recycling and Energy/Water.
- E D U C AT I O N
•
Tech Know How, RECON! and the working groups will continue to provide regular presentations to the staff to disseminate
knowledge on proven sustainable strategies, along with introducing newer technology and products as they are evaluated.
•
Annual updates of TLC’s 2030 Commitment, Sustainability Action Plan and quarterly results will continue to be shared
across the firm via firm video conference, lunch and learn sessions and quarterly operational management meetings.
•
During 2013, through TLC University, 13 hours of training per TLC staff member were presented, totalling 3,307 participants!
Among the many topics, were 28 classes on Energy Services, 23 LEED specific sessions and 14 general sustainability sessions.
Hospital Universitario San Vincente de Paul
Rio Negro, Colombia
LEED NC 2.2 Silver
Nemours Children’s Hospital
Orlando, FL
LEED NC 2.2 Gold
8
TLC Engineer ing for Architec ture
2 014 Sustainable Ac tion Plan
•
TLC staff members will continue to join/support academia at various higher education institutions where they
are involved in creating and instructing sustainability and sustainable design programs to influence future
designers and constructors. Current staff with roles in academia include:
°°
Kim Shinn, PE, LEED Fellow, BEMP, CxA - Lipscomb University’s Institute for Sustainable Practice guest
lecturer in Renewable Energy graduate program/Recipient of Lipscomb’s Sustainable Achiever Award.
°°
Mark Gelfo, PE, LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP O+M, CxA, Director of Business Development & Sustainability
- serves on the Sustainability Program Advisory Board for Jacksonville University’s new Sustainability
Major course of study. Kristy Walson, PE, LEED AP BD+C, BEMP - repeat presentations of Schematic
Design energy modeling
wizard show at Seminole State College, Valencia College and for the UCF ASHRAE student chapter.
°°
A. Brian Lomel, PE, LEED AP BD+C, CxA - guest lecturer at University of Miami School of Architecture,
Florida International University School of Architecture, Florida International University School of
Hospitality & Tourism Management and the Florida Atlantic University School of Architecture, all
on sustainable design topics.
•
TLC will maintain and expand involvement in appropriate local, regional and national meetings, often as
presenters.
•
In 2014 TLC will again bring a focus to sustainable design during GreenWeek; (September 22-26) and USGBC
Green Apple Day of Service on September 27.
- PA P E R / R E C YC L I N G
TLC will track and establish baseline information for paper purchases and establish a goal of reducing paper
purchases and increasing the purchase of paper with recycled content, as financially appropriate.
•
Reduce paper use through increased use of electronic files, along with printing of half size plans and fewer
sets that may be shared among design team members.
•
Track and establish a baseline for increasing the volume of paper recycled, thus diverted from the
waste stream.
Immigration & Customs
Enforcement
Charleston, SC
LEED CI 2009 Silver
701 Brickell Office Building
Miami, FL
Re-Certified LEED EB O&M Gold
9
ENERGY/WATER
Our goal is to identify appropriate energy and water conservation measures for each office with
a timeline for implementation, along with payback. Initial focus will be on ‘no cost’ improvement and further
changes in procedures that will reduce energy use. Additional measures that require financial investment
will be evaluated and prioritized based on payback and an approved budget for implementation.
Future targets include:
•
Evaluate the LPD of each office and identify areas where daylight sensors, occupancy sensors, etc.
to decrease electrical load and the associated cooling demand.
•
Evaluate the cost of hybrid vehicles as rentals. Work with corporate vendors to familiarize them with
our preference for hybrids.
•
Establish baseline water consumption levels and targeted reduction goals in line with LEED CI WE
Prerequisite.
•
Water Use Reduction in all offices. Provide data to landlords in leased facilities showing payback
achievable through low-flow fixtures, if not already installed.
•
Prioritize phasing out inefficient office equipment.
•
Incentivize sustainable commuting practices, encouraging carpool and public transportation.
•
Develop a telecommuting policy, with the intent of reducing our energy use in both space occupied
and employee commuting.
•
TLC office host buildings will be surveyed by TLC. Energy consuming or indoor environmental quality
systems serving TLC space will be re-commissioned at least every three years.
•
Work with janitorial staffs at each office location to implement the use of green cleaning products.
•
Evaluate providing reserved parking spaces for ultra low-emitting vehicles.
Solar Tracking Model
Georgia Tech
Engineered Biosystems Building
Atlanta, GA
Pursuing LEED NC 2009 Gold
CFD Model
Josey Pavilion
Decataur, TX
Pursuing Living Building Challenge
10
TLC Engineer ing for Architec ture
2 014 Sustainable Ac tion Plan
TLC DESIGN GOALS
TLC believes in education of our staff and our clients, along with open dialogue on the life cycle costs,
environmentally beneficial aspects and overall health benefits of sustainably designed spaces to achieve the
targeted reduction goals of the 2030 Challenge to which TLC has committed.
1. Establish and publish a site energy use intensity (EUI) goal for every new construction and major renovation
project with an MEP basic service design fee (does not include construction administration, LEED
administration or other additional services) of $50,000 or more.
•
This goal should be established, signed off on before design begins and maintained in cooperation
with the project team (owner/user, architect, and construction manager [if applicable]).
•
A contemporary energy model will be maintained to assure that the design remains consistent
with this goal (update the modeled performance at each major project deliverable – SD, DD,
CD, as applicable).
2. Establish a lighting power density (LPD) goal for all interior renovation projects. The goal shall be consistent
with a 25% reduction compared to the prescriptive requirements of ASHRAE 90.1 2007.
3. All applicable design work will be tracked using the AIA 2030 Commitment Design tracking tool.
4. Formally request and, if granted owner’s permission, gather the actual energy performance of every project
meeting the criteria for energy modeling (greater than or equal to MEP basic service design fee of $50,000)
and report that performance to the project team each year for a period of at least three years after beneficial
occupancy by the Owner/User.
5. Each Discipline Committee is responsible for developing, maintaining and training discipline staff in the use of
high performance building design processes, templates and systems to achieve the required 2030 Challenge
and Energy Star by Design goals. High performance design checklists will be implemented on each qualifying
project.
6. Projects that demonstrate innovation in the use of systems and technology and integrated project delivery
processes will be recognized and publicized through internal company communications.
Confidential Datacenter Project
Hot Aisle Model
Aurora, CO
LEED NC 2009 Silver
11
T LC ’s O N G O I N G T E AM CO M M I T M E N T
Technical staff development goals supporting 2030 Challenge:
12
•
At least one person in each MEP Operating Unit certified as an ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling
Professional (BEMP) or on a career path towards certification. TLC will continue offer at least forty hours of
energy modeling training annually.
•
Provide an established a career path for commissioning authorities, beginning with entry level, increasing to
senior level staff and senior commissioning authority shall be ACG-certified.
•
Provide a career path for energy services and sustainability consultants, beginning with entry level, increasing
to senior level staff. The senior consultants shall have an applicable ACG Energy Services, ASHRAE HPDP or BEMP
certification.
•
TLC will continue to encourage every Operating Unit director, senior mechanical, plumbing and
electrical manager/engineer, project manager, senior designer, energy/sustainability consultant and
commissioning authority to be a LEED Accredited Professional with Specialty and active in the LEED AP
credential maintenance program. For staff members who are not eligible for LEED AP status, the firm will
periodically offer a Green Associate study group. The Operating Unit with the highest proportion of LEED APs
with specialty and Green Associates (of those eligible) will be recognized annually during GreenWeek.
The future of our planet is highly dependent
on the actions of the design and construction
industr y.
Our commitment to the 2030 Challenge
and steps to achieve these audacious goals will
bring significant changes to our industry and
u l t i m a t e l y, c h a n g e t h e wo r l d fo r t h e b e t t e r.
www.tlc-engineers.com
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