Sustainability
Recycle. Remember. Re-imagine.
Remember the rules of the campground?
Respect the natural environment:
Take in and use only what you need
Take all your garbage with you
Leave the campground better than you found it
At Klotz Associates we’re re-imagining our processes and offering our clients opportunities for sustainable design – which can save money, too. From stormwater management to sustainable roadways. Recycled concrete to native and renewable materials. LEED, LID, SSI or any sustainable criteria. Our fresh perspective helps clients balance economic development with environmental opportunities.
Klotz Associates provides award-winning engineering designs while focusing on practical, workable solutions for our clients. We’re identifying new ways to meet the needs of today without compromising the resources of tomorrow.
Sustainable. Affordable. Liveable.
Klotz Associates identifies and implements the sustainable practices that build our communities.
Sustainability News for Klotz Associates . . .
EnvisionTM Sustainability Rating System Now Available!
The ISI (Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure) released the EnvisionTM Sustainability Rating System on January 16, 2012 for public use. The EnvisionTM 2.0 rating system is designed to help users identify ways in which sustainable approaches can be used to plan, design, construct and operate infrastructure projects. It includes a series of ten primary criteria and 74 sub-criteria that promote sustainable infrastructure solutions. You can view the rating system at http://www.sustainableinfrastructure.org/.
As a leader in civil engineering services, Klotz Associates has been extremely active in promoting sustainable infrastructure practices. Wayne Klotz, PE, D. WRE, President of Klotz Associates, is a member of the ISI Board of Directors and was instrumental in preparing EnvisionTM 2.0. Katherine A. Mears, PE is on the Accreditation Committee of ISI, and she is working to prepare credentials for Sustainability Professionals to become certified to use EnvisionTM.
Herod Elementary School Received Silver LEED Certification
The Herod Elementary School in Houston, Texas received Silver LEED Certification. Klotz Associates prepared the site design for the 84,500 square-foot elementary school building and associated parking on a 7.22-acre site. An existing elementary school was on site, and the existing school had to continue to operate as the new school was being constructed.
As part of the grading and drainage plans provided by Klotz Associates, bio-swales, vegetated swales, pervious concrete pavers and an underground detention system were provided to help with the impacts as well as qualify for Storm Water Quality and Storm Water Quantity LEED credits. Additionally, as part of the LEED Material Reuse Credits, portions of the schools brick facade, wooden beams and super structure were recycled for use in various parts of the new school to help incorporate and transition the living history of the old school building into the new and updated school. Once the new school was opened for the 2011 school year, the old school building was demolished and removed.
Congratulations to the Klotz Associates Land Development Department and the team led by Mike Wheeler, LEED AP for this great achievement! Read More . . .
Green Mobility Challenge
The Klotz Associates Team received second place in the Green Mobility Challenge, a sustainable design competition to propose better ways of constructing, operating and maintaining future transportation projects. This contest was hosted by the
Central Texas Regional Mobility authority in association with the Texas Department of Transportation and the Central Texas Council of Engineering Companies.
The Klotz Associates Team submitted a written proposal and presentation boards with conceptual sustainable elements associated with the Manchaca Expressway project. They were one of the three finalists chosen to present their ideas for the project at the Presentations & Awards Event at the LCRA Redbud Center in Austin on November 15, 2011. Proceeds from the event will benefit sustainability scholarships at Texas Universities.
Congratulations to the Klotz Assocates Team for this wonderful effort for a good cause! Read more . . .
Mike Wheeler, LEED AP, attended 2011 LEED Neighborhood Development Symposium
Mike Wheeler, LEED AP attended the U.S. Green Building Council Texas Gulf Coast Chapter’s first effort to scale up sustainability at the 2011 LEED Neighborhood Development Symposium on October 25, 2011. Attendees spent the day focusing on greening communities, urban development and neighborhoods. The region’s leading professionals including local leaders and planners primarily focused on the elements required to make former industrial areas into residential and commercial space. Mike participated in a case study about the MDI Superfund Site, a history-making project that marks the first time in US history a private entity completely funded and executed the cleanup of a federal superfund site. Mike is just one of the LEED APs at Klotz Associates that is focused on continuing our commitment to sustainability.
TAMU – Galveston Ocean and Coastal Studies Building earns LEED GOLD Certification
One of Klotz Associates’ projects for the Texas A&M University at Galveston, the Ocean and Coastal Studies Building received official notification from USGBC that the project achieved
LEED Gold Certification! Read more . . .
An Expert in Control
Klotz Associates employee Michael Collins, PE, PhD, PH, CFM was awarded certification as a CPESC, Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control. This achievement demonstrates significant capabilities and proficiency in runoff management, site planning, soil stabilization, erosion prediction and control, and related environmental regulations.
This certification promotes clean water and environmental stewardship by focusing on construction techniques to control sediment during and after construction. With only 141 CPESCs in the United States, Dr. Collins is part of an elite group of certifiedprofessionals who are erosion and sediment control experts.
A “Power” – ful Presentation
Ralph Cox, PE gave a presentation to the Texas Association of Clean Water Agencies, the San Jacinto River Authority Staff and the Green Forest District Meeting of the Texas Water Utilities Association on energy savings at wastewater treatment plants. Ralph explained how Klotz Associates has helped cities and water districts save significant amounts of electricity and money and provided ideas for these agencies to incorporate these ideas. Energy costs are on the rise, and designing changes that result in electricity cost savings means real dollars in the bank for agencies that treat wastewater.
New Concepts for a Pilot Project incorporated into Design Criteria
Klotz Associates prepared the preliminary study and final design for the Birnamwood Drive Extension from South of Cypresswood Drive to Spring Creek Drive for the Harris County Public Infrastructure Department. This roadway project included approximately 0.8 miles of existing and new alignment for a four-lane boulevard connector including curb and gutter, sidewalks, a bridge over Harris County Flood Control District J109-01-00, traffic signals, traffic control plans and drainage design. The project included bid and construction phase services. Read more . . .
