ENR 2024 Midwest Best Projects
Award of Merit, Sustainability: Project Dolphin
Photo courtesy Clayco
Project Dolphin/DB Schenker
Cherry Valley, Ill.
Award of Merit
Submitted by: Clayco
Owner: Venture One Real Estate
Lead Design Firm: Lamar Johnson Collaborative
General Contractor: Clayco
Civil Engineer: Jacob & Hefner Associates
Structural Engineer: IMEG Corp.
Mechanical Engineer: Sun Mechanical Systems
Electrical Engineer: Titan Electric
Plumbing Engineer: MVP Plumbing
Fire Protection Engineer: USA Fire Protection
Solar Engineer: Altus Solar
Owner's Representative: CBRE
Nearly every part of this 350,000-sq-ft LEED Platinum warehouse and distribution facility embodies sustainability. The integrated design-build project utilized energy models and carbon calculations to reduce embodied and operational carbon throughout the design, construction and turnover process.
Highly efficient mechanical, building automation and electrical systems as well as a roof-top photovoltaic solar array offset 100% of the building’s electrical usage. The team used lower carbon concrete for all slabs on grade and piloted a CarbonSense concrete at the electrical transformer and guardhouse pads to reduce carbon emissions associated with concrete.
Through early planning and implementation of low-cost sustainability technologies, the project team significantly reduced carbon emissions throughout the construction process. Two 24-kW battery energy storage systems provided temporary power for the construction trailer and jobsite, reducing diesel consumption and associated emissions by 80%.
The 12-month project also benefited from a power purchase agreement with a solar development company, which is leasing the warehouse roof for solar and then purchasing electricity at a discounted price—all without adding capital costs.
Through a user-friendly building automation system, an upgraded acoustical wall and ceiling construction in the offices, the project has created a healthy environment for the client.
