The housing itself is designed and is constructed to be energy efficient and environmentally responsible. With a sophisticated and environmentally sensitive client such as UPS, the architects and their consultants were able to address a large number of sustainable design issues. The prime objective was to impact the site as little as possible while providing a conservative, low profile, timeless facility. Trees were saved as close as 15 feet from the building, while disturbed areas were replanted primarily with indigenous plant materials. Storm water from the buildings and an adjacent major highway is aerated and filtrated before the water flows into the wetland at the low end of the natural ravine.
Water leaves the site cleaner than when it enters.
Energy savings for the lighting are realized through external sunscreens that maximize daylight harvesting possibilities, fluorescent fixtures designed especially for computerized offices, compact fluorescents for supplemental lighting and an advanced energy management system. The HVAC system is CFC free. Interior materials were selected in consideration of their off gassing and a burn off period was specified. The architects were also careful to use wood from renewable forests. All these elements help to maintain a healthy working environment for the UPS employees.