A3C architecture firm wins Ann Arbor Energy Commission awards

A3C Collaborative Architecture, come on down! You’ve just won a new car! Okay, well, maybe not a new car…

…but the Ann Arbor-based architecture firm has won the city’s first Energy Challenge Award for both the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy categories.

The awards recognize local businesses that achieve a high standard of energy efficiency or renewable energy use in their buildings. The city was specifically looking for commercial projects (both new construction and renovations) that become more energy efficient or utilize renewable energy.

A3C has transformed its downtown offices, a historic building across the street from the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum, into an example of how green building can work and why it’s a good idea. It’s also the first building in the city’s downtown to incorporate a green roof and geothermal heating and cooling system. A number of renewable options will be utilized in the inside, including recycled carpet and other sustainable building materials.

A3C is going for LEED gold status and will become the first company to meet the city’s 30 percent challenge.

The Energy Challenge Award is part of Ann Arbor‘s Energy Challenge to achieve 20 percent renewable energy use community-wide by 2015. Participating projects will serve as examples of how energy efficiency and renewable energy are incorporated into Ann Arbor to help reduce energy costs and global warming emissions.

Source: Andrew Brix, spokesman for the Ann Arbor Energy Office

Writer: Jon Zemke