Awards

On April 5, Piquette Square Housing for Veterans, built by O’Brien Construction, received the prestigious Phoenix Award for National Community Impact 2011. This award recognizes outstanding revitalization projects based on five criteria: magnitude of the project, innovative techniques, solutions to regulatory and social issues, and impact upon the community. Awardees are determined by a panel of environmental professionals and business and government leaders.

Piquette Square is a 3 story, 150 unit apartment complex located in Detroit’s New Center area. The structure boasts 11,000 square of feet of common area as well as commercial space on the first level. Developed and managed by Southwest Solutions, Piquette is designed to provide homeless veterans in the City of Detroit with permanent housing as well as a comprehensive offering of supportive services. These services are on-site and include mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, on-site job training, computer labs, and educational programs. Piquette Square is the second project of its kind in Michigan, and one of the largest of in the United States.

The building site for Piquette Square had varied uses over its history, but it best known as the former location of the Detroit Studebaker Plant which operated from the mid 1900’s to the 1940s. In later years, the location was owned by the Michigan National Guard Armory and also operated as a warehouse and meat market prior to being destroyed by fire in 2005.

The Brownfield redevelopment of Piquette Square represents a comprehensive collaboration among government, non-profit, corporate and individual funders and service providers. Taking almost 2 years to build, the project was financed with a blend of public and private resources and funding. Developing the property required considerable environmental remediation as a result of 80 years of manufacturing and industrial use. The 3.28 acre site was polluted with petroleum products from leaking underground storage tanks as well as other contaminants. Preparing the site for residential use required removing 50,000 tons of contaminated soil and installing a sub-slab ventilation and vapor barrier system.

• Concrete block and brick masonry providing longevity and durability to the exterior envelope of the building
• Energy efficient windows with insulated glass
• PVC membrane roofing, which significantly reduces heat gain within the building
• Super insulated walls and ceilings assemblies that provide thermal efficiencies exceeding code requirements
• Sub-slab ventilation system which prevents the intrusion of below grade vapors from gaining access to the building, creating a healthy interior environment
• Energy efficient electrical fixtures, reducing overall demand for electricity
• Lighting control systems which economize the building's overall electric "waste"
• Low VOC paints and products in finished spaces
• Carpet squares with a significant post-industrial recycled content
• Location of building within walking distance to several public ways, reducing the necessity to travel by automobile
  

Piquette Square was completed in June of 2010 and was completely leased within 60 days of its July 2010 opening. O’Brien is proud to be part of a project that is not only a fine example of state-of-the-art construction, but also impacts the lives of so many valued members of the Detroit community. Piquette Square demonstrates how when people come together, we can transform blighted, dilapidated communities into vibrant, thriving beacons of hope.

For a complete list of Piquette Square project supporters, visit the Southwest Solutions Website at www.swsol.org

For project details, fact sheet, list of project partners, and photographs, visit: AKT Peerless Environmental & Energy Services

LEED is the national benchmark for the design, construction, and operations of high-performance green buildings. Core and shell construction covers key building elements such as structure, envelope (foundation, roof, walls, doors and windows) and systems such heating, cooling and ventilation.

LEED certification of Lithuanian Hall was based on a number of green design and construction features that enhance the building, the experience of those who work and visit there, and the interests of the broader community.

LEED recognized features include:

•Reuse of existing building stock

•Regionally produced materials

•Reuse of locally salvaged building materials

•Urban development to help sustain the neighborhood

•Preserving the historic character of the building

•Natural lighting

•Enhanced thermal envelope

•Efficient ventilation and cooling system

•Radiant- heat flooring

•White reflective roofing

•Native landscaping

The energy efficient systems used in Lithuanian Hall have produced significant energy savings for the building’s owner. The radiant heat system alone has reduced energy consumption by more than 12%, according to Dan Pederson, senior director of business development at Southwest Housing. Factoring in the high ceilings and other design features, the savings is about 25%, Dan said.

For source information and more details, visit: Southwest Solutions

Also, see the Model D article on this project at: Model D - Lithuanian Hall