Highly Efficient
HVAC Systems
This building has HVAC equipment that reduces energy costs by 23%. Not only does this consume less energy and reduct building operational costs.
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Enhanced Commissioning: Verifies and ensures that building elements are designed, installed, and calibrated to operate as efficiently as possible to the specifications required by both LEED and AEGB. Buildings that perform efficiently consume less energy, lower maintenance and operational costs.
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Enhanced Refrigerant Management: By actively managing the refrigerant systems, the building is helping to reduce ozone depleting chemicals that have a direct contribution to climate change.
LEED Safety First Credits
In response to COVID-19, USGBC released new LEED Safety First credits. With the safety of the building users in mind, the project has incorporated these items into the design to reduce the spread of germs and viruses.
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Touchless entry/exit at restrooms and main building entrances.
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UV Air filtration in the air handling equipment: This cleans the air passing over the cooling coils and extends the life of the equipment.
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A visitor lounge area that provides additional space within the building for patients to comfortably wait for their appointment.
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A comfortably programmed outdoor courtyard that ensures all visitors and occupants have fresh air spaces for social distancing al fresco.
Sustainability
Project Background
The project is located within the Mueller neighborhood in the city of Austin, TX. In 2016, Mueller was recognized by the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC) as the largest neighborhood in the world to become certified as Stage 3 LEED Gold for neighborhood Development (LEED ND) under its pilot program.
Some of Mueller's sustainable efforts include water infiltration systems, incorporating drought-tolerant native and adaptive plants, reclaimed water (“purple pipe”) systems and a variety of transportation options. Our 1401 Philomena medical office project is already more sustainable just by choosing the Mueller neighborhood.
Indoor Environmental Quality
Improving Indoor Air
Indoor Environmental Quality has a major impact on the wellness of building users. Enhanced air filtration along with increased ventilation provides a comfortable indoor environment for building occupants and helps in preventing human health problems associated with poor indoor air quality. Walk-off mats at main entrances help to keep dirt, dust and debris from entering into the building.
Low VOC Emitting Interior Finishes
This building has incorporated finishes that emit very few Volatile Organic Compounds (“VOCs”), which can be harmful to humans and impact the air quality within the building. Low emitting materials specified for this project reduce the quantity of contaminants, pollutants and other VOCs in the air. The energy and carbon footprint of the interior finish selections were also considered and materials having Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs) have been specified for interior finishes.
Interior Fitness
Circulation
The building was designed and built with approachable, safe and visually appealing stairs to encourage refreshing physical activity. The west stair is light, bright and full of art! A quick trip up and down the lobby stair gets the blood moving and avoids waiting for the elevator.
Storage and Collection of Recyclables
Recycling and reducing waste are major components of a sustainable future. The building has provided a dedicated area accessible to building occupants for the collection and storage of recyclable materials. It has a recycling program that separates trash and recycling, diverting recyclable materials from our landfills.
Indoor Water Use Reduction
High Efficiency Fixtures and Fittings
Water is a highly valuable and limited resource in Texas. Potable water in buildings constitutes a large portion of a building's freshwater consumption. The building design incorporates multiple strategies to reduce potable water consumption, including the use of efficient plumbing fittings, fixtures, and equipment.
Water Metering
Tracking water consumption throughout the building helps to identify potential leaks and allows management to identify other opportunities for water savings.
LEED ND Neighborhood
Mueller was recently recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as the largest LEED certified neighborhood in the world and the first in Texas to become certified for Stage 3 LEED Gold for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) under its pilot program. Some of Mueller’s sustainable efforts include rooftop solar panels, thousands of new trees, a water filtration system, incorporating drought tolerant native plants, construction waste diverted from landfills, energy-efficient buildings, and even solar public art.
LEED ND integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national system for neighborhood design. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a development’s location and design meet accepted high levels of environmentally responsible, sustainable development.
http://www.muelleraustin.com/news/journal/mueller-named-worlds-largest-leed-gold-neighborhood/
Sustainable Outdoor Spaces
Open Space
Our central courtyard creates a physical connection between people and nature. When building occupants have opportunities to connect with the outdoors, they exhibit improved well-being and productivity. Outdoor spaces have a calming affect on humans AND have a cooling affect on the planet. The natural grass lawn reduces heat island effect and slows and treats stormwater runoff that can impact water quality.
Heat Island Reduction
It’s hot in Texas, but the built environment can make the temperature even hotter! This building is designed to reduce the heat island effect created of urban construction by locating the majority of the parking under cover, using highly reflective roofing materials and increasing the amount of landscaping around the building.
Sustainable Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor Water Use Reduction
A good landscape design, combined with the use of native, adaptive and drought tolerant plants, dramatically reduce irrigation needs. Reclaimed, non-potable water is used for landscape and lawn irrigation. Reusing treated water reduces the need to irrigate with clean drinking water. Although it has been treated, please don’t drink the water from our purple pipes!
Drought tolerant, native plants
The courtyard contains native, drought tolerant plants to reduce water use outside the building. Native plants have adapted to Austin’s hotter, dryer climate and, as a result, have lower water requirements and require less maintenance to remain beautiful.
Bike Parking
Easily accessible bicycle parking is provided in several areas around the building and garage for visitors and commuters. Convenient bike racks are located by the front door for visitors, while covered and secure bicycle parking for commuters provides options for building users that may prefer to stretch their legs on the way to work. The Mueller neighborhood provides a safe “bicycle network” which means building occupants can more easily ride their bikes to and from the building and local amenities.
