Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects recognizes that all human activity impacts the environment. We employed sustainable practices on projects long before GREEN was fashionable, such as: site orientation, sun shades, day-lighting, ice harvesting air-conditioning systems and energy management systems.
We have designed sustainable buildings that traditionally have been slow to meet the necessary criteria. Some examples are:
• Market District stores, one of the largest grocery stores in the U.S., achieved LEED GOLD status.
• Cobb County Superior Courthouse design achieved LEED GOLD level in Georgia.
• GE Data Center achieved LEED PLATINUM.
Our firm provides ongoing, in-house education of sustainable strategies and products. Over one-third of the architectural staff are accredited as LEED Associate Professionals.
OUR COMMITMENT IS IN OUR PROJECTS
COBB COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT HOUSE
LEED GOLD
The project documented a 26.7% energy cost savings through the energy model, resulting in 5 LEED points. It employed water use reduction methods that yielded water savings of 47.5%, earning both WEc3.1 and WEc3.2, as well as one Innovation and Design point. 25% of the project’s materials were manufactured, harvested and earned an exemplary performance point for EQc4.3: Low Emitting Materials, Carpet Systems.
MARKET DISTRICT
LEED GOLD
LEED Gold certification was achieved with the use of natural daylight throughout more than 75% of the occupied spaces within the facility while a reflective roof membrane reduced cooling loads leading to a reduction in required energy usage for the building. From the use of recycled steel and environmentally friendly exposed polished concrete floors to low VOC paints, adhesives and sealants and certified wood products in all interior doors, trim, and millwork. A certain percentage of all the building's power is provided by green power sources.
GE DATA CENTER
LEED PLATINUM
LEED Platinum certification and TIER 3 Design certification was achieved through green building strategies focused on reducing environmental impact, reducing energy consumption associated with the data center, and improving occupant comfort and satisfaction. 98% of the existing building's structure was reused, reducing the demand for new materials.
COBB EMC
ICE HARVESTING SYSTEM
The facility was awarded an AIA Energy Design Award for the design of the state-of-the-art ice harvester system to meet air cooling needs. It is an ice-based system which stores ice, utilizing low cost off-peak electrical energy and then uses this stored energy as chilled water during peak demand periods.
THE KISKI SCHOOL
Geo-thermal Heating & Cooling System
This project incorporated many sustainable practices in its design and construction. From an energy conservation standpoint, we designed a geo-thermal heating/cooling system that takes advantage of the earth’s constant temperature below grade. By harvesting the nearly constant 60° F temperature in the upper 20ft of the Earth’s surface, this mechanical system design extracts this constant energy source through a geo-thermal pump system. These systems are among the most energy efficient technologies.
LANIER TECHNICAL COLLEGE
SUN SHADES
This project incorporated many sustainable practices through several passive design techniques. This project incorporates passive sun shades on the south and west facades. These effectively block solar radiation but still allow natural day-lighting and views to the pedestrian commons through the large expansive glass windows. Our design also introduced natural daylight to the interior public spaces through the use of clerestory glazing, thereby reducing lighting requirements. A large percentage of the façade is a light reflective color further reducing cooling energy requirements.
