Green building gains foothold in Brookfield
ESI says headquarters prove sustainability makes financial sense
Environmental Systems' new Brookfield headquarters was designed to prove a point: Going green is good for a business's bottom line.
It's a message the consulting and sustainability education firm preaches to its clients, and now it has another way to prove it. The Brookfield building, 3410 Gateway Road, is expected to be 35 percent more energy efficient than building codes require - that is, until another solar panel array is added, boosting that number to 44 percent more efficient than required, according to ESI officials.
Energy use will be carefully tracked and recorded, so actual savings can be determined throughout the building's life.
Yes, going green increased construction costs by 6 percent, but the long-term energy savings will pay for that, and more, down the road, company president Paul Oswald said.
"It's about sustainability but also business sense," he said. "If it wasn't good for the business, we weren't going to do it."
The building - which is being reviewed for LEED platinum certification, the highest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design category bestowed on new construction by the U.S. Green Building Council - incorporates energy-saving techniques and equipment throughout. There's "no-mow grass" out front, water-conserving fixtures in the bathrooms and plenty of windows so the need for electric lights is reduced. High-grade insulation, high-efficiency mechanical systems and low-emitting building materials also help achieve the goals of sustainability and profitability.
Brookfield leading way
ESI and the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance teamed up to offer an open house showcasing the sustainable elements of the headquarters last month, and the attendance list filled fast, Oswald said.
The firm conducts technical training and classes on sustainable business practices, efficient operation of businesses and more, so its headquarters will continue to serve as an example to many people.
"When ESI receives their LEED certification, they will be positioned as a model for other businesses in Brookfield and beyond," said Sue Loomans, WGBA executive director. "This is especially true since ESI will closely monitor their building performance. They will be able to demonstrate the business case for green building on an ongoing basis."
Brookfield seems to be the right location for such an endeavor. The community has nearly half the LEED-certified buildings in the metro-Milwaukee area, Loomans said.
"Brookfield is making its mark in the green building world," she added.
That likely comes thanks to the progressive nature of the businesses attracted to the area, Brookfield Director of Economic Development Dan Ertl said. The city supports sustainable construction, but in the end, it's forward-looking approach to economics that usually persuades a building owner that paying more upfront to incorporate green measures will mean less expense over the building's life.
"Brookfield is consistent with focus on sustainable practices, and we promote sustainable design in buildings, sites and city practices," he said.
"No one in Brookfield coerced, regulated or demanded ESI to pursue 'green' buildings, but they used a business model to get to this green building, by making it economically feasible as well."
Finances work out
ESI estimates that over a 30-year building life cycle, the company will receive at least a 106 percent return on its green investment. That number could improve if additional efficiency measures are taken or the price of energy goes up more than anticipated.
"We are a working, living example of how sustainability and business sense can be practical," Oswald said.
FYI
Learn more or schedule a tour at ThinkESI.com.
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