Appleton International Airport terminal featured in US Green Building Council report

October 25, 2017

Posted in: Architecture & Interiors, Aviation, Building Engineering

When Appleton International Airport asked Mead & Hunt to design a general aviation terminal that would achieve LEED certification, our architectural team went above and beyond. The terminal achieved a LEED-Platinum certification, the highest rating possible.

The building is now featured in the LEED in Motion: Transportation report (see page 6 of Project Spotlights). This series, by the U.S. Green Building Council, highlights successful green building projects internationally. Past topics covered retail, industrial and hospitality facilities. The most recent report focuses on the transportation sector, featuring sustainable and energy efficient transportation facilities.

As human connections grow rapidly across the globe, they drive an intense demand for transportation. In fact, the rate of international air transportation is expected to nearly double in the next 20 years. Energy efficient buildings such as the Appleton International Airport Platinum Flight Center are helping to meet this growing demand in a sustainable way.

To lay the groundwork for the project, we collaborated with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Appleton International Airport and the Sustainable Engineering Group early in the planning phase. This effort led to the airport being one of 10 airports selected nation­ally to participate in the FAA’s Sustainable Master Plan Pilot Program.

Following goals set in the Sustainable Master Plan, the design team ambitiously set out to optimize energy efficiency and reduce emissions associated with energy consumption. The objective was to meet the rigorous standards for Net Zero Energy buildings. The building had to provide as much renewable energy as it consumed, create comfortable environment, and have a 100-year lifespan.

To achieve these goals:

• The building is sited to maximize solar gain and super-insulated to reduce energy needs.
• Well-placed windows and skylights, photovoltaic panels and occupancy sensors supply ample daylighting and an efficient electrical system.
• A rainwater capture cistern reduces reliance on potable water.
• Thermal mass and natural ventilation assist the geothermal heating and cooling system in providing a comfortable indoor environment.
• The polished concrete floor is durable and compatible with the in-floor radiant system.
• Building materials like stone, metal panel and wood are used for their durability, low maintenance needs and indoor air quality attributes.

We’re pretty proud of this beautiful terminal, and excited about it being recognized in the USGBC report.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Doreen Dazenski, LEED® AP, has more than 15 years of experience with architectural planning and design, primarily in the public aviation field. She is a proponent of sensible, sustainable buildings and incorporates the principles of efficient design into her planning work.