The Mid-Ohio Foodbank facility was built with the intention of minimizing its impact on the environment while having a positive impact on the local economy and neighborhood.
The Project Design Team specified products made of locally harvested and extracted materials. Low-VOC paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants were used throughout the building. MOFB staff and visitors to the facility have not had to endure the impact of chemical out-gassing from these types of materials, greatly improving the Indoor Air Quality for all who enter the facility compared to a typical building.
With the great number of staff and exceptional volunteers who come to the Foodbank daily, a substantial portion of the environmental impact of the overall operations is transportation based. To reduce this environmental impact, the Mid-Ohio Foodbank installed a bicycle rack and has designated prime parking spaces for visitors and staff that either use low-emitting, fuel-efficient vehicles, or who carpool and/or vanpool to the facility. Additionally, for bikers, a shower is available for their use.
Also with this high number of staff and volunteers at the facility each day, water use is another opportunity to reduce the Foodbank’s environmental impact. The facility is equipped with dual-flush water closets and low-flow urinals, lavatories, showers and kitchen sinks. With the use of these water-efficient fixtures, the Mid-Ohio Foodbank facility achieved over 30% water use reduction, compared to a conventionally designed building. Additionally, the Foodbank chose a landscaping design that does not require use of a permanent irrigation system.
Energy savings resulting from the building renovation upgrade has exceeded 20% when compared to simply complying with code minimum requirements. These savings were achieved by using a highly efficient lighting design and associated smart controls and the use of outdoor air delivery monitoring to optimize building ventilation delivery based on measured actual space requirements.
During construction, responsible material handling and selection led to over 20% of the construction materials to be recycled content and over 30% to be regionally based. Forest Stewardship council certified wood was used for over 50% of the wood for the project. The contractors executed the construction waste plan with a 95% diversion from landfill rate.For example, materials removed during demolition were sold at a “yard sale” with all proceeds going straight to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.
The Mid-Ohio Foodbank Project Team included:
Rogers-Krajnak - Architect of Record
Heapy Engineering – LEED Consultant & Commissioning Authority
Korda / Nemeth – MEP Engineer
Kinzleman Kline Gossman – Landscape Design
Shelley Metz Baumann Hawk – Structural Engineer
EMH&T, Inc. – Civil Engineer
Ruscilli Construction Co