Case Study: Embassy Suites, Denver Downtown Convention Center, LEED Silver

amberkeenoy | March 14, 2012 | 0 Comments

Case Study: Embassy Suites, Denver Downtown Convention Center, LEED Silver

Embassy Suites

Denver Downtown Convention Center

LEED Silver Hotel

Sustainability & Green Building Services

Project duration:

2006 – 2009

Project monetary value:

$33,724,699

Client contact:

Judy Esterbrook

1420 Stout Street

Denver, CO 80202

O: 303-592-1000

Case study written by:

Amber Keenoy, Senior Consultant - Antea Group

Date case study written:

01/31/12

Architect:

Tucker Booker Donhoff + Partners

General Contractor:

WPM Construction

Challenge

The design of Embassy Suite’s Denver Downtown Convention Center Hotel was progressing well when the team decided to rethink its strategy on building green.
The project was not originally designed as a LEED project and the exterior design was complete and approved by key stakeholders. Then the team decided to strive for sustainability and a LEED Silver certification.

The challenge was as the hotel had been well in design, with exterior design complete – how would the team achieve LEED Silver with minimal design changes?

Solution

The solution involved viewing the site and the building holistically. Thus the team was able to creatively and with minimal cost or time impacts derive solutions which were sustainable and in compliance with LEED principles. Some examples of the teams clever strategies:

Curtain Wall System – views to the outdoors and energy efficiency
State of the Art Elevators – using latest regenerative drives for energy efficiency
Energy Star Appliances – energy efficiency
Environmentally Friendly and Healthy Interiors – low emitting and low VOC
High Ratios of Recycled Content in Products
Green Cleaning Program
Stringent Indoor Air Quality Plans – during construction and post occupancy
99.08% of all Construction and Demolition Waste Diverted From Landfill
Hydronic Heating and Air Conditioning System
Lighting Controls
Locally Sourced Materials
Building Management System

The curtain wall system provides sweeping views of the mountains while maintaining energy efficiency. The curtain wall has 1” insulated glazing consisting of low e glass which provides outstanding energy performance and an exceptional light to solar gain ratio. This also allowed for less artificial lighting and more natural lighting. The elevators use the latest regenerative drives which convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and then feeds power back into the building’s energy grid. The elevators are capable of saving of up to 75% energy as compared to typical elevators.

Energy Star appliances are used throughout the hotel including kitchens and induction ranges. The lighting system has occupant controls and energy efficient fixtures. Additionally, the air quality inside of the hotel is monitored and controlled so that healthy indoor air quality levels are maintained at all times.

As for the interiors; the paints, furniture, fixtures, equipment, wall coverings, floor coverings, sealants, adhesives, and wood products contain very low to no traces of Volatile Organic Compounds.

The construction of the hotel involved demolition of a multi-story concrete parking structure. All of the demolition materials were recycled into aggregate for use in concrete and landscaping totaling to 21,428 tons which was recycled and reused on site. Overall an impressive 99.08% of the construction and demolition waste was diverted from landfill. The staff uniforms also have recycled content. Rapidly renewable materials, in large part comprised of bamboo were used in the paneling, floor tiles, and decorative items.

Result

The resulting Embassy Suites Denver Downtown Convention Center Hotel which received LEED Silver certification by the United States Green Building Council in 2011 is one which encompasses a balance of environmentally conscience building with guest and occupant comfort. The hotel stakeholders also utilized innovative strategies while adhering to minimal cost impacts during the design and construction process. Currently, only less than one half of one percent of all hotels in the United States are LEED certified buildings. The result of the Embassy Suites Denver Downtown LEED Silver Hotel is one that shows even when teams are not decided upon LEED and have begun design, it is never too late to change direction, include LEED, adhere to cost budget, and end up with a hotel that strikes the balance between beauty and an environmentally friendly hotel