Sustainability

Recycle. Remember. Re-imagine.

More Sustainability News for Klotz Associates . . .

Sewer Rehab Technologies

Ralph Cox, PE presented “Sewer Rehab Technologies:  Choosing the Right Approach” at the American Public Works Association Texas Chapter Southeast Branch February General Membership Meeting.  The meeting was held at the E.B. Cape Center at the City of Houston, and approximately 40 people attended.  His presentation generated a lot of great questions and discussion. 

Sewer rehabilitation is sustainable because it reduces the amount of disruption to the area compared to replacement.  It uses the existing infrastructure and minimizes the use of new materials.  It is also much more cost effective.  That meets the Triple Bottom Line of low impact development!

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 . . . 

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 stablization, 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 certified professionals who are erosion and sediment control experts.

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 . . .

TAMU – Galveston Ocean and Coastal Studies Building earns LEED GOLD Certification

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE INFORMATION . . .
The project started out with a goal of LEED Silver, but as it progressed, several conscious decisions helped to exceed that goal.  The following items contributed to the achievement:

• Outstanding performance by the Owner in championing the LEED effort on this project, and encouraging the team to go for the Gold!

• Outstanding performance by the Contractor with their construction waste management program (diverted 89% of on-site generated construction waste from landfill)

• Outstanding performance by the Design and Construction team by incorporating recycled content (31%), regional materials (41.3%) and potable water use reduction (41.3%)

Klotz Associates provided grading, civil utilities, civil site plans, and specifications for this effort.  The design included minor grading around the new building, sidewalks, access paving using GrassPave, a driveway to the delivery area, a water line leak-detection monitoring system, onsite sanitary sewer relocation, new storm sewer, preparation of a SWPPP and NPDES permitting.

New Concepts for a Pilot Project incorporated into Design Criteria

MORE INFORMATION . . . This project was a pilot project for Harris County, and it was the first sustainable roadway project for the County.  Concepts from this project were incorporated into the County’s Low Impact Development and Green Infrastructure Design Criteria for Storm Water Management adopted in 2011.  On the Birnamwood project, an alternative typical section was designed which utilized an inverted cross slope and median ditch instead of a typical raised median.  The median ditch, high filtration soils and underground storage tanks were incorporated as mitigation and detention to prevent from having to purchase off-site detention.  The alternative design also eliminated the need for a storm sewer system.

Different types of low profile landscaping that removed Total Suspended Solids (TSS) from the runoff were planted to observe the success rates and incorporate successful plants into other projects.  These innovative and sustainable solutions saved the County money, shortened construction time and improved the stormwater quality of the run off on the project site.