Masonry Edge the Storypole Vol6 No4 : Page 26

the Spartan Stores YMCA Wyoming MI Architect DESIGN PLUS Grand Rapids MI Structural Engineer STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATES Grand Rapids MI Construction Manager ROCKFORD CONSTRUCTION Grand Rapids MI Mason Contractor JK MASONRY Comstock Park MI Masonry Materials BELDEN BRICK AND SUPPLY | DOW | GRACE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS | MORTAR NET | QUIKRETE | WIRE-BOND toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design by Elizabeth Young, LEED Green Associate ituated within Metro Health Village, a walkable campus of retail, healthcare, medical ﬁtness, medical oﬃce and general oﬃce facilities, the Spartan Stores YMCA integrates its own mission with that of Metro Health and its primary benefactor and namesake Spartan Stores Foundation. All three are committed to serving and improving their communities, with a focus on health and wellness. The newest Grand Rapids-area YMCA serves the general population of southwestern Kent county as well as patients of physicians aﬃliated with the Metro Health healthcare system. As such, the facilities are top-notch and were designed with several criteria sharing top priority. leAdeR in buildinG STRonG KidS, FAMilieS, CoMMuniTieS And SuSTAinAble STRuCTuReS | with commitment at Metro Health Village Painted CMu proved to be the right material for the job on interior walls of this YMCA. its durability is a huge beneﬁt for the pool and other high traﬃc areas and it also bears the load of the second ﬂoor. Photo courtesy of Rockford Construction S Form and Function Situated on a 10-acre parcel, the 96,000 sf two-story structure with partial basement, thanks in part to the site’s sloping grade, makes the most of its location. Its proximity to a main entrance to Metro Health Village makes it accessible to all residents, while being adjacent to the Metro Health Hospital makes it a logical space for the Metro Health Restorative Health Suite’s rehabilitation services. Window placement in corridors, pool areas and track allows visitors to enjoy a connection with nature via views to the secluded wooded wetland area beyond the south elevation. Project Facts Total Construction Budget $13 MILLION Total Masonry Budget $750,000 Total Square Feet 96,000 Building Cost Per SF $135 Completion Date SUMMER 2011 LEED Certiﬁcation PENDING Silver Anticipated Durability Speciﬁc to the building design, architect Design Plus knew from previous experience with this As a community center, the facility aspires to provide a great diversity of programs and services to visitors. In addition to ﬁtness areas, including track, gymnasiums, cardio and weight equipment and rooms for group classes, features include a main lobby, oﬃces, family fun pool, café, chapel, kid zone child care center, multipurpose room, activity center, mechanical rooms, storage and locker/changing areas. Many of these areas are deﬁned with CMU walls which provide durability as well as loadbearing support, for the hollowcore precast plank ﬂooring of the second story. client that delivering a building with a low long-term maintenance plan is paramount. Masonry’s low maintenance met this need and provided an aesthetic consistent with the surrounding largely brick campus. While there are no architectural design guidelines for Metro Health Village, there is an architectural review committee that ensures new designs meet a quality and aesthetic consistent with the intent of the Village. masonryedge.com 26 MASONRY EDG E / thestorypole Vol 6 No 4 Integrated Design

the Y at Metro Health Village

Elizabeth Young

LEADER IN BUILDING STRONG KIDS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND SUSTAINABLE STRUCTURES with commitment toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Situated within Metro Health Village, a walkable campus of retail, healthcare, medical fitness, medical office and general office facilities, the Spartan Stores YMCA integrates its own mission with that of Metro Health and its primary benefactor and namesake Spartan Stores Foundation. All three are committed to serving and improving their communities, with a focus on health and wellness. The newest Grand Rapids-area YMCA serves the general population of southwestern Kent county as well as patients of physicians affiliated with the Metro Health healthcare system. As such, the facilities are top-notch and were designed with several criteria sharing top priority. Form and Function Situated on a 10-acre parcel, the 96,000 sf two-story structure with partial basement, thanks in part to the site’s sloping grade, makes the most of its location. Its proximity to a main entrance to Metro Health Village makes it accessible to all residents, while being adjacent to the Metro Health Hospital makes it a logical space for the Metro Health Restorative Health Suite’s rehabilitation services. Window placement in corridors, pool areas and track allows visitors to enjoy a connection with nature via views to the secluded wooded wetland area beyond the south elevation. As a community center, the facility aspires to provide a great diversity of programs and services to visitors. In addition to fitness areas, including track, gymnasiums, cardio and weight equipment and rooms for group classes, features include a main lobby, offices, family fun pool, café, chapel, kid zone child care center, multipurpose room, activity center, mechanical rooms, storage and locker/changing areas. Many of these areas are defined with CMU walls which provide durability as well as loadbearing support, for the hollowcore precast plank flooring of the second story. Durability Specific to the building design, architect Design Plus knew from previous experience with this client that delivering a building with a low long-term maintenance plan is paramount. Masonry’s low maintenance met this need and provided an aesthetic consistent with the surrounding largely brick campus. While there are no architectural design guidelines for Metro Health Village, there is an architectural review committee that ensures new designs meet a quality and aesthetic consistent with the intent of the Village. Masonry is used inside and out of the Y. Painted CMU walls were chosen for many high traffic public spaces within the facility for durability purposes. Scored CMU was used for visual interest and variety at corridors, the pool area and activity areas, while standard 16" was used in locker rooms and changing facilities and in concealed areas for cost and convenience. Outside, monarch sized clay brick (4" x 16") in terra cotta and ivory and double monarch (8" x 16") in ivory laid in half bond provide a fresh youthful take on a familiar material. Performance and Sustainability West Michigan has become a leader of sustainable building design. In fact, it is quantifiably among leaders in the US for LEED-certified buildings per capita. It has become business-as-usual for owners, architects and construction managers/general contractors to build green, if not to pursue LEED. This YMCA project is no exception. All structures in Metro Health Village are required to attain LEED certification, but owner YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids had already set a precedent of LEED building with its David D Hunting Y, completed in 2006, the first LEED-certified YMCA in the world. The architect and construction manager have more than 50 LEED projects between them and a handful together. LEED Checklist Spartan Stores YMCA is awaiting LEED-certification, but has submitted enough points for a Silver certification under LEED 2.2, if they are all accepted. Among the points submitted are four in the optimize energy Performance section of the ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE category for achieving performance 21% above the prerequisite minimum. Insulated masonry cavity walls combine with mechanicals and other systems for this increased energy efficiency. Attention to detail, like using 2" closed cell spray foam insulation with an R-value of 14.3 and vapor retarder properties, around the pool due to high indoor humidity, increases efficiency. Masonry contributes heavily to the points sought under MATERIALS & RESOURCES, as well. Two points for diverting more than 75% of total Construction Waste, two points, plus one innovation and design Process point, for greatly exceeding Recycled Content of construction materials. Brick, block, mortar and grout all contain recycled content, as does steel used in masonry structural reinforcing and anchoring support systems. Two more points for utilizing at least 20% of Materials extracted, Processed and Manufactured Regionally. Specifically, the CMU, manufactured less than 10 miles from the job site, contained raw materials extracted from as few as 20 miles away. INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY benefits from masonry in the credits of Construction iAQ Management Plan, during Construction, (one point) as using masonry as backup and finish not only eliminates the need for more products, it precludes respiratory irritants like dust present during drywall installation. A final point for Thermal Comfort, design for its thermal mass property, or ability to slowly absorb heat and slowly release it back into a space. Points are also being sought for lowemitting Materials, Paints & Coatings for low VOC paint used on NO-VOC producing CMU. The commitment to sustainability went beyond LEED, however. It ties back to the mission and vision of the YMCA to provide programs that build healthy bodies and be a leader in building strong kids, families and communities. The Y doesn’t just do this by providing a track, pool and exercise equipment, but by contributing to the sustainability of the planet by choosing abundant, local environmentally-safe building materials to build an energy-efficient building that looks great, lasts a long time and doesn’t compromise the air quality, health or comfort of its employees, guests or neighbors. The YMCA had goals of its own that it wanted to achieve and Design Plus uses LEED certification as a minimum baseline. Project Manager, Craig Janetzke shares that it is Design Plus’ standard practice to integrate the LEED process and checklist as part of the design schematic. Working closely with construction manager Rockford Construction assisted with the added perspective for associated costs, crucial for projects with public and/or philanthropic funding sources. Integrated Design and Project Delivery Working together in a collaborative manner with the construction team aids the architect with the design from budgetary, means and methods and constructability perspectives. Both the architect’s and construction manager’s ex perience with LEED is a bonus, too, as neither party has to educate the other. The CM is responsible for ensuring subcontractors are familiar with the goals and objectives of the LEED process. There is a good deal of communication required between all parties to coordinate site-specific practices, like using appropriate recycling containers and mitigating dust circulation. CM Project Manager Pete Michell explained that sub - contractors were responsible for acquiring and reporting information about how their products and processes contributed to LEED points. For example, mason contractor JK Masonry worked with material suppliers to obtain specific information on recycled content used in production of brick, block, mortar and grout, as well as the distance between the places of material extraction from the earth and manufacture and the jobsite. Masonry products within a 500 mile radius combine with other materials used for a total percentage. Failure to submit information, or accurate information, allows for potential points to be left on the table. More important than mere points, however, is the opportunity to fulfill the owner’s desires for his project. In this case, the YMCA wanted to achieve the most building for their money, that is also high performing, energy efficient and healthy, that will serve their community for many generations.

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