Green Building
Nietz Electric / Mechanical: Rochester's 1st LEED Certified Building
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Alvin E. Benike, Inc. Delivers Green Building Projects
Green building is the way to build with our future generations in mind. Whether your goals are to reduce operational expenses through energy conservation, a healthy indoor environment through the use of non-toxic materials, or a better place to work and play through day-lighting and fresh air, Alvin E. Benike, Inc is experienced in green building strategies and implementation.
The term green building is gaining momentum in the industry as climate change consciousness becomes more prevalent. Energy efficiency, waste reduction, and indoor air quality are at the heart of green building. Concerns over rising energy costs, resource depletion, and leaning the construction process are what drive many Owners to consider green building techniques. Building with recyclable, local, renewable and non-toxic materials are strategies that can be easily implemented on any construction project. At Alvin E. Benike, Inc., we believe in green building, we value green building strategies and innovations, and we are experienced in green building.
We Believe in Green Building
Benike believes that what we do and how we do it has an impact on our planet. We believe that all types of construction should follow a green-building or sustainable model in order to continue to transform our community into a healthier, more efficient, safe, and ultimately more affordable place to live. We recognize that sustainable building occurs on a number of levels and commit to meeting and exceeding the expectations of the Owner.
We Value Green Building Strategies and Innovations
Alvin E. Benike, Inc. believes in continuous improvement through innovation. We recognize that environmentally conscious building strategies are continuously evolving. Our company’s recent work on several green buildings has provided our team with opportunities to engage in innovative strategies, practice implementing sustainable building techniques, and contribute to discussion about how to optimize building efficiency. Recent work has included elements of geothermal heating and cooling, Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs), structural insulated panels (SIPs), stormwater collections systems, pervious concrete, permeable pavers, electrochromic glass, and renewable energy.
We Are Experienced in Green Building
Alvin E. Benike, Inc. has completed a number of energy efficient building projects. Benike completed construction on the Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association (IMAA) building in 2006. This project was regarded by many as one of Rochester’s first green buildings. The Egan-Nietz Building which was constructed in 2008 was the first LEED certified building in Rochester, MN. The Winona County Historical Society Expansion project in Winona, MN was constructed to be “LEED-certifiable,” but the Owners elected not to go through the rigors of the certification process. Most recently, construction was completed on two more green buildings: the Cascade Meadow Wetlands & Environmental Science Center (currently seeking LEED certification), and the City of Rochester Public Works & Transit Operations Center.
LEED Accreditation
Aaron Benike became LEED accredited in 2005 and is helping raise the bar on what “green building” means to the industry. He has participated in many green building roundtable discussions. Mike Benike became an LEED accredited professional in 2008 and is a member of the local chapter of the US Green Building Council. He helped charter the Rochester committee of the USGBC-MN, sits on the Rochester Energy Commission, Rochester Area Builders’ Green Building Committee, and is a community advocate for a sustainable future. Adam Benike received his accreditation in 2009 and is currently maintaining his specialty credential of Building Design + Construction (LEED AP BD+C). We at Benike are always looking for best practices from our and others’ projects. We believe that Green Building is really about continuous improvement.
Solar Power at Benike Residence
Here is a public link to Aaron Benike’s solar array on his residence. The link provides information regarding the power generated by the solar panels.