DPR and Architect Demonstrate Feasibility of Sustainable Design and Construction

Lancaster Foods, LLC, a subsidiary of Guest Services, Inc., is one of the largest independent produce distribution companies in the Mid-Atlantic. When it outgrew its current warehouse, Lancaster Foods knew it wanted a state-of-the-art produce distribution facility in the Jessup, MD area but did not realize how that desire tied into LEED certification. The facility’s high-energy requirements and the perceived cost and schedule concerns did not make green building an obvious choice.

The project designer, Powers Brown Architecture, and contractor, DPR, demonstrated for the owner that pursuing LEED certification was not only feasible, but would in fact require little up front investment, while providing a robust long-term payoff.

Working through the owner’s construction management representative, DCMA, the design and construction team presented a scorecard on what it would take to get the building LEED certified, as well as conducted a mini-Charrette with an evaluation of first costs versus long-term cost benefits. The owner signed on with the LEED certification part of the project almost immediately.

Construction started in October and DPR registered the project and began the early stages of document management for what the team expects to achieve Silver LEED certification upon completion in 2008.

The $23 million project entails the renovation and conversion of an existing ice cream manufacturing and storage facility into a produce storage and production facility. It includes all new MEP systems, an innovative ammonia-based refrigeration system, and a small addition, which will infill an alley between two sections of the building. With the exception of a 20,000-sq.-ft. office area, which is being constructed within the existing building, the entire facility will be refrigerated to temperatures ranging from 32 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Despite challenges related to an extended design process and permit delays, the team is committed to complete the fast-track job on schedule by June 2008.