Lawrence, KS (January 11, 2010) – University of Kansas architecture program, Studio 804, Inc., received confirmation that the residence at 3716 Springfield Street, Kansas City, KS, which was built in 2009, has been awarded LEED Platinum certification; a first for a residence in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.
LEED is an internationally recognized sustainable building certification program, which assists in the design and third party verification that a building achieves certain performance levels among all of the most important metrics: sustainable resource use, energy savings, water efficiency, C02 emissions reduction and improved environmental quality. The goal of the Springfield residence focused on the implementation of the most technologically advanced systems available to create an unprecedented example of sustainability within the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.
The home incorporates many strategies aimed at not only reducing energy consumption of the residence but also strives to generate a surplus, which can then be fed back into the electrical grid. The twenty-four photovoltaic solar panels and a residential wind turbine actively harness energy provided by the site, while the thermal mass of a concrete floor absorbs heat from the winter sun that then supplements the geothermal heat pump, which extracts warmth from deep underground. An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) helps to maintain a constant temperature within the residence, yielding in less energy requirements for heating and cooling. The collective result of these systems is a residence which is fully self sufficient, even generating more energy than it consumes.
In addition to the energy saving technologies, other systems such as pervious pavement, a drought tolerant lawn and a rainwater reclamation system were implemented to help reduce any impact the residence might have on the immediate community and environment.
Studio 804, Inc. is directed by Dan Rockhill, JL Constant Distinguished Professor of Architecture at the University of Kansas.
Studio 804 is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, design/build program at the University of Kansas School of Architecture, Design, and Planning focuses on the creation of community based architecture. The Studio 804 experience encompasses all aspects of the building process, from initial design through finished construction.
For further information, images for publication, or to schedule an interview with Professor Dan Rockhill or members of Studio 804, please call 785.864.4024.