TKA + Partners :: TKA Architects + Partners was founded on the principle of responsible architectural design. The first and only determinant of successful architectural projects is responsibility - responsibility to the owners, building, the occupants, the budget and the environment.

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CCH Interior Renovation

to Save Energy and

Improve Space Efficiency

Client: CCH, Inc., Chicago, IL

Project: Interior renovation of common spaces in owner-occupied facility

Design Features

Modernize the interior design and improve efficiency of common spaces, including lobbies, corridors, conference rooms, cafeteria and restrooms
Achieve a LEED-CI Silver Certification for the entire project that consists of interior, exterior, and overall site improvements

Challenges

Improve the overall quality of the building and its environment while maintaining existing mechanical systems
Determine the most appropriate rating system for LEED certification, considering the full scope of the project vs. the minimum program requirements of each LEED system

Key Achievements

Install materials with high recycled content to reduce waste, while improving the quality of the building environment, as well as reduce impacts resulting from extraction and processing of virgin materials: cradle-to-cradle carpet, recycled glass terrazzo, high recycled content aluminum framing, ceiling grid and tile, porcelain tile, stainless steel toilet partitions
Purchase regional materials, extracted and manufactured within 500 miles of project location, thereby supporting the local economy and reducing the environmental impacts resulting from transportation
Install rapidly renewable materials, in order to reduce the use and depletion of finite raw materials: bamboo ceilings and veneers, ceiling tiles made of jute, linoleum flooring, cotton batt insulation
Utilize only certified wood, in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council's requirements and criteria, in order to encourage environmentally responsible forest management
Use no or low-VOC emitting materials, including paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, flooring systems and furnishings
Save energy and improve environmental well-being of occupants by reducing the indoor potable water consumption by over 30% over baseline standards: new energy efficient plumbing fixtures and boilers
Install new energy efficient light fixtures with daylight and occupancy sensors and Energy Star eligible equipment, in order to optimize building energy performance and reduce the environmental and economic impact associated with excessive energy use
Maintain much of the interior nonstructural components in order to extend the life cycle of the building stock, conserve resources and reduce waste
Provide a complex storage and collection of recyclables facilities and program
Divert at least 75% of all construction and demolition debris from disposal in landfills and incineration facilities
Improve the indoor air quality, and thus promoting the comfort and well-being of all workers and building occupants during construction and prior to occupancy, by sealing, properly ventilating and thoroughly cleaning the areas in construction or demolition phases, installing low or no-toxicity levels adhesives, paints and sealants, sequencing construction and operation activities to minimize the impact on air quality, flushing-out the building after final construction
Achieve a minimum certification of Silver level for LEED for Commercial Interiors, in collaboration with project work accomplished on the building shell and exterior site