Tag Archive for: sustainability

Steven K. Alspaugh Elevated to AIA’s College of Fellows

Associate Steven K. Alspaugh, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C® has been elevated to the American Institute of Architecture (AIA) College of Fellows for his efforts toward making the profession a part of an ever-increasing service to society. AIA Fellows receive this esteemed membership honor for their exceptional work and contributions to the profession of architecture and […]

Owner Perspective: Historic P.R. Mallory Factory Redevelopment

After decades of unsuccessful attempts by for-profit developers, Englewood Community Development Corporation and John Boner Neighborhood Centers managed to revive the historic but neglected P.R. Mallory factory as a community asset. Once the bustling intellectual headquarters of P.R. Mallory & Company, the inventors of the Duracell battery and many other technological innovations, the industrial site […]

6 Ways to Reuse and Recycle in Your Workplace

At Schmidt Associates, sustainability is something we strive for in each architecture and engineering project we do. We work with clients to implement designs that are energy efficient, use renewable energy sources, gain LEED certification if desired, or even reuse existing structures and materials when possible. This focus on sustainability is, in part, why we […]

We’re an Approved IPL RCx Study Provider. What Does That Mean?

Schmidt Associates is an approved Indianapolis Power & Light (IPL) Retro-Commissioning Study Provider. This status helps us enhance our energy service offerings to our Indianapolis-area clients by allowing us to execute retro-commissioning studies and lead clients through IPL’s energy incentive program. Even if a building was designed to be energy efficient, as time goes on, […]

Top 6 Things to Know when Considering Adaptive Reuse

We have all heard the real estate mantra “Location, location, location!” However, great location does not also lead to perfect buildings. In fact, oftentimes the least perfect building is situated right on the site you want. And while some may consider a total demolition and rebuild as the only option, there are oftentimes a lot […]

Form, Function, and Funds: The Next Wave of Sustainability

When it comes to sustainable design, perhaps sustaining the attention of consumers is as important as the design itself. While sustainability may be written off as one of many “green trends”, it plays an enormous role in shaping how our future looks – both from the buildings we inhabit to the overall planet we live […]

The Value of Adaptive Reuse

To understand the importance of adaptive reuse, one must first appreciate the value of old buildings and architecture. While it can feel “progressive” to tear down the old in order to make room for the new, adaptive reuse defines progress differently. Rather than creating a narrow vision that imagines possibilities with a blank slate, reuse […]

Why Is Adaptive Reuse Important in Today’s World?

To understand the importance of adaptive reuse, one must first appreciate the value of old buildings and architecture. While it can feel “progressive” to tear down the old in order to make room for the new, adaptive reuse defines progress differently. Rather than creating a narrow vision that imagines possibilities with a blank slate, reuse […]

LEED Certification 101

 Better buildings! It’s the goal of the LEED Certification rating system. As such, each new version raises the bar; challenging owners, designers, building managers, manufacturers, and contractors to continually improve. One example of a higher standard is LEED version 4. Referencing ASHRAE 90.1-2010, it is an energy code more stringent than Indiana’s current energy code. High […]

Designing Residence Halls Specifically for the Student

Integrating specific academic environments into five Ball State University Residence Halls was a key early design consideration for the combined $144+ million projects. There was an opportunity to create an interplay between pre-millennial student lifestyle, academic, and career interests while also optimizing for energy efficiency. By adding the latest technologies, new amenities, and flexible design […]