Truex Cullins & Partners Architects
Wins Energy Efficient Design Competition
For Dubois & King Corporate Headquarters

february 15, 2005 | Burlington, Vermont

 

Truex Cullins & Partners Architects received the Excellence in Comprehensive Building Design at the Better Buildings by Design Conference. The conference, sponsored by Efficiency Vermont, was held February 9th & 10th at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington. The award was presented to the Burlington-based firm in recognition of the new DuBois & King Corporate Headquarters Office Building located in historic downtown Randolph, Vermont. The building successfully achieves an “innovative approach to integrating energy efficiency improvements into a comprehensive, high-performance design.”

Truex Cullins & Partners Architects collaborated with the engineering firm of DuBois & King to implement sustainable design features such as special light-reflecting blinds that reduce glare while increasing natural light in office spaces, occupancy sensors and a lighting dimming system to reduce electrical use, and the location of skylights and windows to maximize daylight penetration deep into the building. Improved mechanical systems include an HVAC system designed to recover 80% of heating/cooling energy exhausted from the building and sensors located on the rooftop to limit the amount of air conditioning needed. Fiberglass windows with insulated frames and triple-glazing and a very tight, super-insulated wall and roof system work to reduce heating and cooling costs. All of these features enhance employee comfort and health, significantly reduce operating costs and conserve natural resources.

In addition to integrating sustainable design improvements, the building was also designed to respect the historic nature of its neighborhood. The building conforms to the setbacks, rhythm and scale of its neighbors and blends in well with respect to its materials. The new structure recalls the memory of the old village school it replaced with the color and type of brick, the white color of the metal panels, the relative size and configuration of the windows and the overall scale of the building.

The design team included the following consultants, Owner: Randolph Area Community Development Corporation, Randolph, VT; Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering: DuBois & King, Williston & Randolph, VT; Energy Efficiency Partner: Efficiency Vermont, Burlington, VT; General Contractor: Professional Construction, South Burlington, VT; Mechanical Contractor: Thomas Mechanical, South Burlington, VT; Electrical Contractor: Cole Electric, East Thetford, VT; Building Insulation: Foam-Tech, div of H.C. Fennell Co., East Thetford, VT; Masonry: HOK Masonry, Johnson, VT.