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Clean Energy
Success Stories
CERTs-Southeast: Clean Energy Resource Teams of SE Minnesota
IMAA Builds the First Comprehensively "Green" Building in Olmsted County !
The Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association (IMAA) is a nonprofit organization located in Rochester that helps refugees and immigrants gain independence by helping them find employment and assisting with language, healthcare and social services. Last year, IMAA assisted more than 500 people and provided interpreting and translation services to agencies, businesses and organizations in the region.
When Kristy Arend joined IMAA as its
Development Director, her first task was to find professional office space to
replace the cramped quarters it occupied. An extensive search for
appropriate space was unsuccessful, but an opportunity arose to work with
A.E. Benike, Inc, a
contractor who would build to suit on property it owned and lease the finished
building. Kristy suggested that the new building be designed as a
"Green" building, and IMAA Executive Director Ron Buzard, fully supported the idea.
IMAA worked with Aaron Benike (LEED-Accredited professional) and designer Carol Karnes to ensure that the building is site-sensitive, protects natural resources, is energy-efficient and water-efficient, and has a healthy indoor environment, while being beautiful and meeting the specific needs of the organization. Although the building meets all standards for LEED-certification (see details in table below), IMAA did not go through the certification process due to the extra cost. Construction costs on the 8000 square-foot building were $200/SF.
IMAA's philosophy is that caring for our natural resources is not only the right thing to do; it promotes unity in diverse communities through a shared goal -- caring for our Earth. IMAA was recently awarded the Environmental Achievement Award from Olmsted County and Rochester Public Utilities for its comprehensive recycling efforts. Constructing a green building was a natural outgrowth of that philosophy. When refugees arrive in the U.S., they are generally not aware of environmental concerns such as recycling and global warming. Arend believes this building represents a tremendous opportunity to educate new environmentally-aware residents of our county. Accordingly, future activities will include a community garden, bike-riding, and prairie restoration.
IMAA loves its new green space and is currently involved in a capital campaign to purchase the building.
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LEED STANDARD |
INTENT |
IMAA SITE FULFILLMENT |
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Close Proximity To Alternative Transportation |
Access to multiple bus lines, bike path |
IMAA SITE IS LOCATED ON BUSLINES & BIKE TRAIL |
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Facilities Which Support Alternative Transportation |
Bike racks, changing rooms, showers |
IMAA HAS AN EMPLOYEE SHOWER AND BIKE RACKS |
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Code Minimum Parking Stalls and Efficient Parking Lot Layout |
Minimize blacktop surfaces, thus reducing heat island effect Minimizing parking is thought to encourage carpooling and use of alternative transportation |
IMAA HAS CODE MINIMUM PARKING; WILL SHARE PARKING WITH NEIGHBORS FOR EVENTS |
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Reduce Heat Island Effect of Parking Lot
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Shade the parking lot to minimize direct sun onto blacktop during summer months, allow sun to melt snow in winter months |
IMAA WILL PLANT DECIDUOUS TREES ALONG THE SOUTH & WEST EDGE OF PARKING LOT |
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Reduce Heat Island Effect of Roof |
Research future implementation of green roof |
NOT AVAILABLE YET |
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Light Pollution Reduction
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Minimize exterior lighting |
IMAA’S EXTERIOR LIGHTING IS MINIMAL; ENOUGH TO PROVIDE SAFETY & SECURITY; AMPLE AMBIENT LIGHT FROM THE STREET |
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Water Use Reduction |
Water-efficient landscaping Water-efficient plumbing futures
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IMAA WILL HAVE NO IRRIGATION SYSTEM; WILL USE NATIVE PLANTS & GRASSES THAT REQUIRE LITTLE WATER; INSTALLED WATER EFFICIENT PLUMBING FIXTURES |
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Management of On-Site Rain Water
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Minimize amount of run-off Reuse rain water |
IMAA HAS ON-SITE RETENTION PONDS, RAIN-GARDENS, AND RAIN BARRELS TO CAPTURE & RE-USE STORM WATER |
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Optimize Energy Performance |
Minimize heat gain and heat loss Use of alternative energy sources Maximize use of daylight |
IMAA HAS INSTALLED LOW-E GLAZING TO MINIMIZE HEAT GAIN & LOSS; EXCEED CODE MINIMUM INSULATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ROOF AND WALL INSULATION; GEO-THERMAL HEATING & COOLING, OPERATIONAL WINDOWS FOR MINIMAL COOLING IN WARMER WEATHER; INTERIOR CLERESTORIES TO BORROW LIGHT FROM EXTERIOR FACING WINDOWS |
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Green Power |
Pay premium to utility company to purchase wind-generated electricity |
IMAA HAS SIGNED UP WITH ROCHESTER PUBLIC UTILITIES TO PURCHASE WIND GENERATED ELECTRICITY |
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Storage and Collection of Recyclables
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Recycling center located on-site to minimize trash output
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IMAA HAS A SPECIALLY DESIGNED AREA FOR RECYCLING CONTAINERS; PRESENTS ONGOING TRAINING OF CLIENTS AND STAFF TO ENSURE PARTICIPATION |
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Minimize Waste
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Utilizing technology to eliminate as much paper as possible Minimize construction waste
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IMAA HAS LONG BEEN COMMITTED TO CREATING A PAPERLESS OFFICE; CONSTRUCTION WASTE WAS SENT TO A RECYCLER TO BE SORTED |
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Reuse of Materials |
Use of recycled materials |
ALL CABINETS INSTALLED AT IMAA ARE RECYCLED FROM THE MAYO CLINIC |
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Low-Emitting Materials |
Use of paints and adhesives that are low in V.O.C.s ( volatile organic compounds) |
IMAA USED GREEN SURE CERTIFIED PAINTS FROM SHERWIN WILLIAMS; LOW EMITTINGADHESIVES FOR THE CARPETING |
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Regional Materials |
Use of materials that originate or are manufactured within a 500 mile radius of the building site |
ALL MATERIALS USED AT IMAA ORIGINATED OR WERE MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE 500 MILE LIMIT |
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Controllability of Systems
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Indoor lighting and thermal comfort can be individually controlled |
IMAA HAS MULTIPLE SOURCES OF LIGHT IN EACH ROOM; OPERATING WINDOWS FOR INDIVIDUALIZED COMFORT |
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Daylight and Views
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As many spaces as possible with windows for natural lighting and a connection to the outdoors Utilize natural light to minimize the artificial light required |
IMAA HAS LARGE WINDOWS IN ALL BUT TWO ROOMS; INDOOR CLERESTORY WINDOWS TO DIRECT NATURAL LIGHT TO THE INTERIOR ROOMS |