High Performance Buildings
High performance buildings are energy efficient, have low short-term and long-term life-cycle costs, are safe and healthy for occupants, initially minimize negative impact on the environment and ultimately have a restorative impact. High performance buildings create tangible savings associated with energy, water and waste efficiencies as well as “softer” benefits, such as human health and productivity, impact on the environment and incorporation of recycled content materials.
High performance buildings:
- Are healthy and productive
- Have good indoor air quality, lighting and acoustics
- Are cost effective to operate and maintain
- Use sustainable practices to reduce resources needed to build and operate the facility
Meeting the criteria for a high performance building requires a commitment to three crucial conservation strategies:
- The building "envelope" must be tight to minimize the transfer of thermal energy
- Lighting, plumbing, and mechanical systems must be highly efficient
- Natural daylight and ventilation should be optimized
Once these strategies have been implemented, we incorporate renewable energy technologies to achieve a high performance facility.
Sustainable Materials
Once a project’s goals have been determined, Pfluger Associates works to select the most appropriate materials to achieve these goals. This process includes research, evaluation and sourcing of materials in four primary areas:
Construction Materials:
- Recycled and recyclable
- Natural, plentiful or renewable materials
- Products manufactured via resource efficient processes
- Materials that can be manufactured and purchased locally
- Durable products that offer a long life
Energy Efficiency:
- Materials and systems that help reduce energy consumption.
Water Conservation:
- Products that reduce building water consumption both inside and outside
Indoor Environment:
- Products that enhance indoor air quality and eliminate indoor air pollutants
- Materials offering reduced emissions
- Materials and components that resist moisture and inhibit growth of biological contaminants
- Products and systems that can be healthfully maintained using non-toxic or low VOC cleaning methods