WELCOME TO OUR NEW HOME

We are all proud to be a part of the Rockford team, and we hope you find pride in our new offices as well. This building was designed to do a number of things:

SUSTAINABILTY

Not only does Rockford’s office demonstrate sustainable principles in the design and construction of the building, but it also supports sustainable operations for years to come. On the next several pages, you will find information about the sustainable features of our office.

LEED

The United States Green Building Council LEED Certification program is one way to measure the sustainability of our new office. Green building strategies help protect our environment and preserve natural resources. Energy efficient electrical and HVAC systems reduce our operating expenses while supporting the health and well-being of our team. Finally, we have incorporated greener recycling and transportation programs that reflect our commitment to sustainability each and every day.

Reflect Rockford’s commitment to the urban core and the continued revitalization of Grand Rapids. Demonstrate Rockford’s sustainable commitment and LEED leadership. By utilizing an existing brownfield site and warehouse and applying Rockford’s sustainable experience, we are anticipating a high performing building and LEED Gold certification. Offer a high-tech environment that improves service to our clients and results in greater flexibility for our team. Create a work environment that is efficient, productive, flexible and highly collaborative. Support Rockford’s economic sustainability through reduced operating expenses and lower overall occupancy costs. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I hope you enjoy our new office and its reflection of how Rockford truly is “Building For a Changing World”.

Mike VanGessel

SITE SELECTION

ALTERNATE FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION

The former Miller Products building stood vacant for several years. The innovative repurposing of this structure, using brownfield tax credits, adds significant momentum to the continued renaissance of the surrounding neighborhood and community. It is estimated that there are more than 450,000 brownfields in the United States. Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties increases local tax bases, facilitates job growth, utilizes existing infrastructure, takes development pressures off of undeveloped land, and improves and protects the environment. (USEPA, 2012) Approximately 1,375 tons of contaminated soils from previous manufacturing activity were sent to a disposal facility.

By moving our offices downtown, there are many convenient services within walking and biking distance. Public transportation is also readily available. In order to encourage the use of alternate forms of transportation and support our team members in their health and wellness efforts, Rockford’s new office includes bikes available for use, showers and lockers.

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Most errands can be accomplished on foot.

PARKING

Asbestos and lead paint were removed from the building prior to remodeling following the State of Michigan regulations for abatement. The building was captured, contained and maintained with negative air pressure machines.

LIGHT POLLUTION

WALKABILITY SCORE

Flat terrain, excellent biking lanes.

data provided by walkscore.com

BIKEABILITY SCORE

For those that still prefer to drive to work, Rockford provides preferred parking in the interior and exterior lots for vanpools, low emission / fuel efficient vehicles and electric cars. Designated bicycle corrals have also been constructed around the building to promote alternate forms of transportation.

The parking lot lighting has been designed for safety while being conscious of light spilling into the night sky. Built-in light features reduce spill, which in turn, improves the nocturnal wildlife habitat.

= 10 Gallons of H²0 Runoff Retention

HEAT ISLAND REDUCTION

Rockford’s light colored membrane roof, covered parking, courtyard and green roof assist in keep the building and surrounding areas cool in the summer by reducing heating loads. As a result, the building requires less energy consumption for air conditioning, produces less air pollution and greenhouse gas and improves our team's health and comfort.

Three Benefits of Green Roofing

STORMWATER RETENTION

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has indicated that a typical city block generates more than five times as much runoff as a woodlot of the same size. Rapid runoff from building roofs can increase flooding and erosion and result in sewer overflows. Green roofs can absorb water and release it slowly over a period of time, as opposed to conventional roofs which immediately discharge stormwater.

Old Miller Products 450 Gallons New Rockford Office 3,000 Gallons

Green roofing can retain 60% - 100% of incoming rainfall.

‘URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT’ REDUCTION

Natural cooling processes are promoted through the retention & release of moisture by photosynthesis & evapo-transpiration.

INCREASED ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Thermal insulation provided by green roof plants significantly reduce heating & cooling costs.

SMALLER CARBON UPTAKE

WATER EFFICIENCY

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Carbon dioxide (CO²) is removed from the air & stored in rooftop plants.

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Only a small portion of the courtyard will be irrigated, which significantly reduces the amount of potable water used for plantings. The remaining site and surrounding landscape is drought resistant, requiring no permanent irrigation. For our drinking water, Rockford has installed a Reverse Osmosis (RO) System, which separates drinking water from any impurities. This specialized system uses a semi-permeable membrane along with activated carbon as the filtering device. An RO System uses less electricity than distillers and has proven to be more effective than conventional tap filters. The RO System allows for Rockford team members and guests to experience a clearer, cleaner, better tasting water. Low flow faucets, showers, water-closets and urinals save 38% of potable water annually.

BIODIVERSITY

The green roof atop Rockford’s offices is designed to attract different types of wildlife with a focus on attracting native pollinators to the roof. The roof garden will feature a variety of Sedum species with biodiversity strips of varying plant species, including Michigan natives, designed to attract wildlife and increase overall biodiversity. (See opposite page) Plant species were chosen to have bloom periods throughout the growing season to provide a source of food for the local pollinators (bees / butterflies / positive insects, etc.).

‘Hamelin’ Dwarf Fountain Grass

GRASSES

Oakleaf Hydrangea

‘Stella De Oro’ Daylily Japanese Forest Grass

‘Millenium’ Ornamental Chives

FLOWERS Liriope Ground Cover

‘Adago’ Miscanthus Grass Daffodils

Two essential elements in attracting wildlife are structural height and vegetation species diversity.

‘Little Kitten’ Miscanthus Grass ‘Walkers Low’ Nepeta

‘Chanticleer’ Pear

42 FEET TALL

SHRUBS

37 FEET

TREES

‘Bloodgood’ Japanese Maple

TALL

‘Graham Blandy’ Boxwood ‘Jaczam’ Pear

‘Red Obelisk’ Upright Beech Dense Yew

Weeping White Pine

SOUTHERN TOWER

NORTHERN TOWER

ENERGY ASSURANCE OPTIMIZED ENERGY PERFORMANCE

A team of commissioning agents have provided an independent third party review of the design of all energy related systems. They worked directly with subcontractors throughout construction to assure proper installation, compliance with design specifications and performance.

The building design was analyzed using three dimensional energy modeling software to determine the amount of energy the building will use during the course of a year. This design approach identifies which building components consume the most energy and allows designs to be modified accordingly.

INITIAL DESIGN

After the review of initial designs many building features were removed, maintained and added to give the result seen today.

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LIGHTING

A measurement and verification process will be used at Rockford to ensure that the efficiency goals targeted during the design are realized when the building is operating. By collecting utility data, the energy model will be calibrated and actual performance will be compared to design goals. System adjustments will be made to optimize energy performance.

Occupancy sensors have been installed to turn lights off automatically when rooms are not in use. Daylight harvesting, another feature of Rockford's lighting automation system, senses the amount of natural light entering the open office areas and alters the brightness of overhead lights accordingly. On the building exterior, parking lot lighting also features energy-efficient LED’s. The LED lightbulb uses 60% less energy than standard bulbs.

FINAL DESIGN

The installation of an inverter to provide uninterruptible power to emergency lights eliminated the use of 100 batteries.

Interior ambient light added

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Roof monitors added

MEASUREMENT & VERIFICATION

Glass reduced from 40% to 33%

Cityscape view maintained

Rockford will save nearly 12,500 kWhs per year of electricity and 3,000 therms per year of natural gas, totaling nearly $4,000 of annual savings. The building systems have been designed to achieve a projected 38% energy cost savings compared to ASHRAE 90.1-2007 Appendix G. Rockford’s energy savings are nearly double that of a typical LEED office building and align with advanced energy standard metrics including the net zero energy building movement, EPA’s Energy Star Program and the 2030 Challenge. An average office building has an Energy Use Intensity of 100 kBtu/square foot/year. The predicted EUI for Rockford is half that at 50 kBtu/square foot/year.

GREEN POWER

Currently, energy production from traditional sources is a significant contributor to air pollution in the United States. Green energy production aims to combat this growing problem by generating electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, water, wind biomass and geothermal sources. Rockford has made a commitment to purchase Green-e certified power for its operations for at least the next two years. Renovations were designed to accommodate additional sustainable systems such as solar roof panels, which may be added later in the future.

BUILDING RE-USE

The significant energy required for the production of masonry, concrete and steel construction materials was reduced by reusing much of the existing building. Rockford's decision to salvage, rather than build entirely from new, reduced carbon emissions and lessened environmental impacts attributed to climate change. Structural walls, existing concrete floors and a large percentage of the structural steel were reused. The current layout of interior spaces and windows follows the previously existing structural lines. The energy consumption and material cost inherent with the manufacturing and construction process led our team to their motto, “Don’t fight the building.”

90% 5% 5%

RE-USED WALLS

MATERIALS RECYCLED

WASTE & RECYCLED MATERIALS

MATERIAL WASTE

HAZARDOUS WASTE

Regionally manufactured materials containing recycled content were used frequently during construction. The wood walls, staircases and custom casework were made from salvaged local ash trees, which were destroyed by the Emerald Ash Bore infestation. The trees were harvested by the Grand Rapids Park Department, and the Tontin Lumber Company handled kiln-drying and milling. Concrete, structural steel and window systems are also included in the list of recycled materials. Rockford has policies and procedures in place to reduce the amount of waste we generate through office operations. including composting, recycling, donations and hazardous waste disposal policies. Haworth’s TEC-CRETE raised floors have a post-consumer recycled content of 9% and pre-consumer recycled content of 49% and are manufactured in Kentwood.

NEW WALLS

Haworth’s COMPOSE work surfaces have a minimum of 90% preconsumer recycled wood content.

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

A normal adult breathes in nearly 66 lbs. of air every day and can expect to breathe in around 50 billion contaminant particles per hour. Throughout design and construction, Rockford assured that the highest standards were followed including low or no Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) specifications for interior materials and furnishings, under-floor fresh air delivery systems and sustainable construction practices.

UNDER FLOOR AIR

Under floor air systems are energy efficient, offer greater local control of temperature and provide cleaner air. A continual supply of clean, newly conditioned air is introduced directly into the occupied zone where people breathe. Conditioned air is not blown down from overhead as it is with conventional systems, so it does not pass through (and mix with) the stale air and contaminants that collect near the ceiling. The raised floor system also offers greater flexibility in relocating diffusers and technology infrastructure as space needs change. Under floor air distribution systems operate at very low static pressures as compared to conventional overhead systems. This lower pressure can reduce energy consumption by 12% to 27%.

INDOOR POLLUTANT CONTROL

Building entryway systems are designed to capture dirt entering the building. All enclosed areas within the building are properly sealed and ventilated. High performance filters are used in mechanical systems to assure fresh clean air is circulated throughout the building.

AIR QUALITY PLAN & TESTING

LOW EMISSION MATERIALS

DAYLIGHT & VIEWS

Demolition and construction practices lead to increased exposure to indoor air pollutants through the introduction of synthetic building materials, power equipment and vehicles, new furnishings and finish materials. Throughout construction, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association (SMACNA) ANSI Guidelines for Occupied Buildings Under Construction were followed. Prior to occupancy, Air Quality Testing was conducted to assure the comfort and well-being of construction workers and building occupants.

All adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, flooring systems, composite woods and agrifiber products, furniture and furnishings are compliant with the highest industry standards for low emission.

The strategic placement of the courtyard, combined with the full height office windows, result in significant natural light and views to the outdoors. Because of the depth of the original building, several daylight studies were performed, resulting in the addition of six daylight roof monitors to bring more light into the center of the space. The result will be increased energy efficiency and occupant productivity. When combined with perimeter windows, including those surrounding the courtyard, the daylight model demonstrates that 80% of regularly occupied spaces are day-lit.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION TEAMS: