Sustainable Design Practices

Construction recently began for the Morphotek Pilot Plant located in Lionville, PA.  The project was fully designed in REVIT, a BIM (Building Information Modeling) software program.  This provided the Client and Design Team real time project visualization and detail at every stage of the design process. 

The project is currently slated for LEED Silver Certification. 

The project includes the redevelopment of a brown field site and an aggressive construction waste management plan to divert more then 75% of construction waste from landfills.  The building is expected to use 30% less water and 33% less energy than a conventional building of this type, thanks in part to an enhanced commissioning process which will ensure that building systems are designed, constructed and calibrated for optimal performance.  The facility will include FSC certified wood and local, low emitting materials with recycled content throughout.  Exterior shading devices and high performance glazing are incorporated into the building shell design to reduce glare and heat gain, while the roofing material was designed to reduce the heat island effect.  Project construction is slated for completion in September 2011.

Berks Lancaster Green Building Association

The Berks Lancaster Green Building Association has entered into it's third year as a non-profit organization in support of promoting a more sustainably built environment!  The group has held a number of well attended events in 2010 ranging from Networking Events to Educational Seminars and Workshops including:  Deregulation and the PA Solar Economy, Passive House, Sustainability & Energy Efficient Lighting, Solar & Geothermal Technology, Feasibility & Incentives, and Water Efficiency.  Also, new this year, was the group's First Annual Sustainability Festival, which included over 30 exhibitors with unique ties and commitments to environmental stewardship.  Exhibitors specialized in local organic foods & produce, composting, rainwater harvesting, alternative energy & energy efficiency, environmentally responsible building materials & systems, and waste & recycling.  The Festival aimed to inform homeowners and their families on the various ways we can collectively reduce our environmental impacts, and how day to day decisions can make a big difference.

For more information, please visit www.blgba.org

USGBC News

Arcus Design Group is also proud to announce that Brian Falcon was appointed to the position of Green Building Association of Central Pennsylvania at-large Representative to the USGBC's Northeast Corridor Regional Council.  This Council promotes consistency in programs and governance among the many chapters / affiliates of the USGBC and consists of eight regional representatives from chapters located from the Potomac to Long Island.

HBA Pyramid Awards - Ruskin Lane

Along with two previous Pyramid Awards, in Spring

of this year, the Ruskin Lane Residential Community was awarded the prestigious Community of the Year award from the Home Builders Association of Chester & Delaware Counties. 

Ruskin Lane is an 11 Lot residential community developed and designed by Arcus Design Group.  The project was conceived with the involvement of the original property owners who wished to ensure their family property was developed in an environmentally responsible manner with a strong focus on the architectural style and home design. 

This was particularly important to the property owners since they intended to continue living on the land in one of the new homes.  The community design was inspired by the Arts & Crafts period, in a turn of the century style prevalent in the Media, PA area. 

The home designs successfully integrate current building technologies and materials to

promote maintenance friendly, energy efficient and environmentally responsive homes rich in architectural style and detail.  The homes were designed to the NAHB Green Home Gold Standard, with the final home constructed in the community certified under this program.  Other sustainable aspects included individual on-lot storm water recharge beds and clustered home layout to maintain a 4 acre wooded land preserve and buffer. 

The homes were constructed by Mingioni Construction Company.  As part of the

development process each home buyer had the opportunity to work directly with both the Architect and Builder to either customize one of the prototypical home designs or to develop a true custom home design.  Ultimately, this unique development, design and planning approach resulted in an architecturally inspired and extremely successful new community.  Click here for more information about the HBA.

Arcus Design Group is currently interested in developing another unique community, similar to the Ruskin Lane project, and within the Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware area.  This subsequent community will embrace environmentally responsible land stewardship, fully sustainable home design and architectural integrity for home and community design. 

If you are a like-minded property owner with interest in exploring your property potential, please contact Chris McQuail at cmcquail@arcusdg.com or 610-458-9900.