ST. LOUIS, MO, April 4, 2007... St. Louis-based Vertegy, a sustainability-consulting firm known for its award-winning design and consulting services, has been tapped by the owners of Frieze Harley-Davidson to help ensure that their new facility in O’Fallon, Ill. is as green as possible.  The 33,000 square-foot facility will use “green architecture” and other sustainable features to create a high performance building that will greatly reduce potentially negative impacts on the environment and be a candidate to earn LEED certification. 

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The LEED certification program operated by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a globally recognized process that uses common standards to define “green buildings.”  Its goal is to support the design and construction of buildings that reduce or eliminate negative impacts on the environment.  Gary Karasek, architect and LEED Accredited Professional, designed the state-of-the-art facility and will be working alongside Thomas Taylor of Vertegy, the sustainability consultant, and Paul Henckler of Trumpet Builders, the general contractor, to complete the eco-friendly building. 

“I am very excited to be one of the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealers to construct a LEED-certified building,” stated Jenny Frieze, owner and general manager of Frieze Harley-Davidson. “I hope other business owners and Harley-Davidson dealers will be encouraged to take similar steps when constructing new facilities. I am very proud to have the opportunity to contribute to a program that will have a positive impact on preserving our environment.”

The entire Frieze building will be constructed using insulated concrete forms (ICFs), an energy-efficient structural wall system providing an insulation R-value of 40.  Initial energy models indicate that the building will be over 40 percent more energy efficient than would have been possible with a standard construction approach. The towers flanking the showroom will be brick clad with the remaining exterior walls coated in the synthetic stucco applied directly to the ICF.

The building is sited within the naturally landscaped grounds, using native grasses, plants, and drought-tolerant shrubs and trees. The natural look, in lieu of a manicured lawn, limits maintenance and water use and promotes positive points for LEED.

The building’s environmental aspects carry through to the interior of the building, which features rapidly renewable bamboo wood flooring, specialty coatings in the display areas and a combination of lighting means. Natural light emitted through the northwest showroom windows and over 40 solatubes are supplemented by the computer-controlled light system which provides an energy savings mode for all of the artificial light fixtures. The interior will adhere to strict limits on products which emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), such as adhesives, sealants and paints to promote cleaner air. 

In addition, due to the well-insulated building envelope, mechanical systems have been reduced in size, and innovations have been incorporated to increase system efficiency. The shop maintenance staff will work on a concrete slab heated with a hydronic radiant water system, which burns used motor oil as fuel. The five-year payback for this installation will also serve the community as a used oil depository. 

“There are many benefits to be derived from developing a LEED-certified building, including the fact that it provides a healthier environment for customers and staff,” notes Taylor. “We’re very pleased to have had the opportunity to be part of the team for this unique project, which we expect to be among the first LEED certified Harley-Davidson dealerships in the entire country.”

Founded in February 2005, Vertegy provides clients with design, procurement and construction consulting services for green and sustainable facilities.  One of the key ways Vertegy serves clients is by helping them gain certification for their projects from various nationally and internationally recognized certification bodies, such as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which provides LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification. Vertegy — which is derived from combining the Latin root for green and strategy — is based in St. Louis at the new LEED Platinum-certified Alberici headquarters. For more information, call 314.733.2666 or visit www.vertegyconsultants.com.