OFS Brands earns LEED Silver
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OFS Brands, in conjunction with Hafer Associates, announced today that it has been awarded LEED® Silver certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) for the Cool Springs Stables and Maintenance Facility. Last year, OFS Brands announced that its Chicago Showroom was awarded a Gold level certification and is awaiting the response on its application for the OFS Brand Washington, D.C. Showroom. LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

Cool Springs is an innovative corporate educational agrarian campus being developed by OFS Brands. The property is being developed as a multi-purpose corporate facility that will include several building structures, a man-made reservoir, marina, hiking trails, a Sporting Clay course and various other features. Cool Springs is currently utilized for the education of OFS Brands customers from around the country helping to bring the company’s environmental heritage and policies to life. OFS Brands is also using Cool Springs as an opportunity to promote education for local scout troops and other local student outdoor learning activities.

Mike Wagner, Senior VP of Sales & Marketing, stated, “OFS Brands is helping define ‘green building’ by helping to promoting integrated, whole-building design practices and becoming certified in environmental leadership in the building industry. The Company is proud to help stimulate green building while raising consumer awareness of the benefits associated with these structures at the same time.” Hafer Associates, design architect and engineer, achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified building save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community. Hafer Associates Principal, Ron Steinhart, PE, LEED AP, stated, “As building professionals, we feel that it is important to always incorporate sustainable design elements into every project. It is our opportunity to make a positive impact for the health of our community. With our creative designers, we help our clients find ways to integrate LEED elements into their unique project, schedule and budget.”

LEED certification of the Maintenance Facility was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:

• 100% of the building wastewater is treated on-site utilizing a packaged treatment unit by Algaewheel.
• Water use reduction by using dual-flush toilets and low flow faucets and shower heads.
• 30% building energy savings by using high performance windows, overall improved thermal envelope, radiant floor heating, domestic hot water heated by heat pump desuperator, energy recovery ventilator for outside air ventilation, reduced lighting power, and a sophisticated temperature control system.
• stormwater quantity and quality control
• site light pollution reduction
• use of reservoir for landscaping irrigation system
• diverted 96% of construction waste from landfill by recycling
• building materials have recycled content and were manufactured regionally
• High percentage of the wood used is from FSC certified forests.
• Improved indoor air quality due to low-emitting materials and ventilation
• Maximizes daylighting to improve outdoor views for occupants

OFS Brands, Inc. is a family owned corporation, headquartered in Huntingburg, Indiana, and is committed to providing socially responsible furniture and logistic solutions through better design, excellent performance, and innovative products and services.

SOURCE: OFS Brands Inc.

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