Otto Construction Embraces Green Building
Otto Construction's approach to sustainable design is an integrated one. All project team members monitor sustainable goals and understand how design decisions impact other facets of the project. A review of sustainable design concepts can be integrated to improve building performance, optimize indoor environmental quality, and reduce environmental impact. Sustainable design requires sett ing goals for efficiency at the project outset and monitoring these goals throughout the project. Otto Construction has successfully integrated elements for sustainable design into several of its building projects including credits such as reduction in site disturbance, restoration of open space, light pollution reduction, storm water management, renewable energy, building reuse, recycled materials, and day lighting.
Some project examples include the following:
Northern California Natural History Museum, CSU Chico
With construction just beginning, the building will reflect the university’s commitment to sustainable design to both students and the community. Some examples of sustainable building measures that are included in the design in order to meet the objectives required for LEED Silver include: a storm water collection and filtration system that will be exhibited in an outdoor “Delta” retention pond, porous concrete parking lot, efficient mechanical and electrical systems, construction waste management, water efficient landscaping, and the use of recycled materials.
CSU Chico Wildcat Recreation Center
Another example of our commitment to green building practices is the CSU Chico Wildcat Recreation Center. Sustainable design elements include use of native plants, waterless urinals, solar heating of water, daylighting, photovoltaic panels, and reuse of materials such as framing and concrete. The site phase diverted in excess of 75% (by weight) of demolished material from landfills including: crushing concrete and AC on-site for re-use, sorting miscellaneous metals and metal siding for recycling, salvaging lumber for architectural re-use, salvaging plywood for campus use and processing of wood scraps for fuel at a local cogeneration plant. The Wildcat Recreation Center will obtain LEED Silver Certification.
State of California Office Building 10 Renovations
Otto Construction completed the renovation of the State of California Office Building 10 on Capitol Mall. This project obtained LEED Silver Certification. We were required to submit a full submittal for LEED, which consisted of a detailed breakdown all items we set out to achieve and the results we were able to obtain having implemented the following products which were either sustainable building or recycled materials: roofing materials, interior and exterior lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, HVAC equipment, adhesives and sealants, paint and coatings, carpet and carpet products, construction waste, salvaged and reused materials, post-consumer and pre-consumer recycled products, wood materials (doors, plywood, etc.), and regionally manufactured materials.
City of Vacaville Police Headquarters Building & City of Davis Police Headquarters Building
Otto’s experience in incorporating sustainable design practices includes projects such as the City of Davis Police Department Headquarters. In Davis, this 35,000 square feet. police headquarters building set on six acres was designed to incorporate state-of-the-art police facility design and environmentally sensitive materials, while taking advantage of the agricultural heritage of the community. In Vacaville, high performance environmental systems keep projected energy consumption in this state-of-the-art public safety facility 34% under Title 24 energy code regulations. South-facing windows are equipped with window shades that double as light shelves. Windows are simultaneously shielded from hot summer rays and used to project natural light deep into interior office space. Indirect lighting fixtures automatically dim as natural interior light levels increase. Exterior improvements include environmentally sensitive landscape measures and pervious concrete paving.
Otto Construction also has under contract the following projects which will obtain, at a minimum, LEED Silver Certification: Oak Park Community Center (groundbreaking took place in April 2008), Solano County Health and Social Services Building (design/build construction starting Fall 2008), and Solano County Forensic Lab (construction started Summer 2008).
