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Legacy project: Paving way for geothermal, Apple Valley Liquor Store No. 3

The first building project in Minnesota to receive Green Globes certification, Apple Valley Liquor Store No. 3 uses a highly efficient geothermal heat pump system to save on energy costs.

The “sustainable” CNH Architects design appeared in southeast Apple Valley in 2008, before the word was widely recognized in environmental circles.

“This was all about building performance and sustainability, and energy usage was a big part of that,” said Wayne Hilbert, lead designer and a principal of CNH Architects. He noted that the store would use no natural gas or oil for heating. Geothermal energy utilizing ventilation exchange is used for heating, ventilation and air conditioning needs, as well as for refrigeration equipment. The beer coolers are included in the process.

The structure at the corner of 157th Street West and Pilot Knob Road uses half the energy of an average liquor store of its size, and has since recovered the extra costs involved for the advanced systems resulting in significant annual energy savings, explains Hilbert.

Read the archived Pioneer Press story

Other energy savings features include a green roof application in which sedum (fleshy plants) are used on parts of the roof along with more typical, highly reflective heat rejecting roof materials. Strategically placed, energy efficient windows and light sensing technology utilize sunlight and decrease demand for artificial lighting.

Geothermal elements have since been included in other CNH projects, one involving a second liquor store north of the Twin Cities.

The Green Globes, first developed in Canada, were introduced in the United States at the beginning of 2005 and GBI was the first green building organization accredited as a standards developer by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

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Legacy project: Paving way for geothermal, Apple Valley Liquor Store No. 3

The first building project in Minnesota to receive Green Globes certification, Apple Valley Liquor Store No. 3 uses a highly efficient geothermal heat pump system to save on energy costs.

The “sustainable” CNH Architects design appeared in southeast Apple Valley in 2008, before the word was widely recognized in environmental circles.

“This was all about building performance and sustainability, and energy usage was a big part of that,” said Wayne Hilbert, lead designer and a principal of CNH Architects. He noted that the store would use no natural gas or oil for heating. Geothermal energy utilizing ventilation exchange is used for heating, ventilation and air conditioning needs, as well as for refrigeration equipment. The beer coolers are included in the process.

The structure at the corner of 157th Street West and Pilot Knob Road uses half the energy of an average liquor store of its size, and has since recovered the extra costs involved for the advanced systems resulting in significant annual energy savings, explains Hilbert.

Read the archived Pioneer Press story

Other energy savings features include a green roof application in which sedum (fleshy plants) are used on parts of the roof along with more typical, highly reflective heat rejecting roof materials. Strategically placed, energy efficient windows and light sensing technology utilize sunlight and decrease demand for artificial lighting.

Geothermal elements have since been included in other CNH projects, one involving a second liquor store north of the Twin Cities.

The Green Globes, first developed in Canada, were introduced in the United States at the beginning of 2005 and GBI was the first green building organization accredited as a standards developer by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

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BURNSVILLE FIRE STATION NO. 1

CNH’s largest fire station to date, the City of Burnsville’s Fire Station No. 1 is home to a crew of all full-time firefighters and more than 44,000 SF with 10 apparatus bays. Firefighter safety was one of nine top priorities for the station. Multiple contamination zones and a designated de-contamination area will allow firefighters to keep contaminated equipment and clothing in the apparatus bay until decontaminated. Another priority in the design was firefighter mental health. A warning system that slowly ramps up with alert tones and lighting while only alerting responding staff ensures firefighters are not awoken in an abrupt manner. The station includes areas for relaxation with different lighting to promote natural sleep rhythms, as well as a yoga studio and meditation garden. Extensive firefighter training features including Firefighter 1 and advanced training elements are another highlight of the station.