Berkeley, CA (February 5, 2009) - LJ Kruse, founded in 1916 as a plumbing and heating contractor – and now a specialist in green building services – has completed their new headquarters in Berkeley, CA and applied for a LEED Platinum certificate as the ultimate in new, green construction.
What green elements went into their building to apply for LEED Platinum?
· Durapalm flooring in stairwell and entryway
· Bamboo safety strips on stairs
· Vetrazzo countertops at reception counter
· Thoughtful daylighting design includes numerous skylights
· High recycled content drywall, ceiling tiles, carpet, countertops
· Benjamin Moore EcoSpec paints and primers
· Furniture - Re-used and re-purposed 75% (more than double the LEED requirement)
· New furniture from Kantor – no added formaldehyde, low-emissions
· Interface Flor carpet tiles
· 100% FSC-certified wood
· Reused some insulation
· Sensor faucets
· Low-flow toilets
· Rainwater catchment system – reduced domestic water consumption by an anticipated 73%
· Drought tolerant plants
· Exposed concrete flooring through most of the downstairs
· Kitchen cabinetry has no added formaldehyde
· Dining tables - no added formaldehyde
· High efficiency lighting throughout, with pendant lamps in the dining area that are locally manufactured with eco-friendly dyes
· Solar panels (more info from Sunlight and Power)
· State of the art HVAC system – featuring dual fuel Carrier hybrid heating and cooling, 100% outside filtered air, and electric air purifiers reducing energy consumption by an anticipated 27%
· Eco-friendly janitorial
· Composting (through the city of Berkeley)
· Planning to do tours of the space for local school-children to learn about green building
About The LJ Kruse Solar System from Sun Light and Power
Berkeley’s Sun Light and Power, founded in 1976, installed a 39 kW PV system incorporating (210) 185-Watt Mitsubishi modules and (5) SB7000 inverters. The system can be monitored online through a web-based monitoring system
This is another solar project in an area that is increasingly a hotbed of solar installations in the Ashby corridor including the SLP offices, Sunpowercorp (previously Powerlight), Acme Bread, Ashby Lofts, Balance Hydrologics, Berkeley Bowl (comp. 2009) and Biofuel Oasis (comp 2009).
Architectural Planning from Friedman Brueggemeyer
Friedman Brueggemeyer is a full service DesignBuild firm operating under one roof in Berkeley, California. With over 20 years experience in the bay region, they helped LJ Kruze realize their dreams through the thoughtful integration of Architecture and Construction.
About L.J. Kruse Company
Founded by Louis Joseph Kruse in 1916, L.J. Kruse Company has proudly been family owned and operated for nearly a century. Second generation Edward H. Kruse ran the operation from 1948-1985. Today, third generation brothers David and Andy Kruse hold the positions of President and Executive Vice President respectively, while fourth generation Janell Kruse Yates serves as Vice President. L J Kruse Co is a certified green business.
L.J. Kruse Company Green Building Services
* High-efficiency, low-consumption air & water systems
* Tankless Water Heaters
* Hybrid Heat/Dual Fuel Systems
* Low Flow & Dual Flush Toilets
* Efficient Air & Water Filtration
* Waterless and Low Flow Urinals
* Reclaimed Water Systems
* Rainwater Harvesting
* Grey Water Systems
David Kruse
President. LEED AP. Graduated UC Berkeley 1973. Apprenticed UA Local 444. Past President, Mechanical Contractors Association of America. Board of Directors, Plumbing Contractors of America. Member, IAMPO and ASPE. Oversees company-wide operations. License holder for C-36,16,4. With L.J. Kruse Company since 1973.
Andy Kruse
Executive Vice President. LEED AP. Graduated UC Berkeley 1978. Board of Directors, Northern California Mechanical Contractors Association. Member of Board of Trustees, Mechanical Contracting Education and Research Foundation (MCERF). Oversees company-wide operations including estimating, project management, accounting. Safety Committee Chair. Manages plumbing design/build division. Negotiates and procures major contract work. With Kruse since 1984.
About Sun Light & Power
Sun Light & Power, a certified green company, is a design/build firm based in Berkeley, CA with over 37 years of leadership in alternative energy systems and innovative designs for homes and businesses. The company is committed to creating living environments that serve people's intrinsic needs, supports the human spirit and preserves the planet’s resources for future generations.
Founded in 1972 by Gary Gerber (the 2008 and 2009 President of the California Solar Energy Association), Sun Light and Power demonstrates its leadership in sustainability by being the first renewable energy contractor to be certified by the Alameda County Green Business Program. Gary Gerber, P.E., president and founder, brings over 30 years experience to each commercial and residential project. Their dedicated staff includes specialists in engineering, construction, electrical systems, CAD and financing.
About Tranquil Spaces Design Group
Shannon Del Vecchio, founder and principal of Tranquil Spaces, has had a thriving practice in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1996. She is passionate about creating spaces that bring joy and transformation into people’s lives; and with this vision in mind, has worked on a wide range of projects, from residential to commercial to industrial to healthcare. No matter what the design challenge, Shannon brings to every project a versatile imagination, a sensitive eye for color, and a loving heart.
Shannon is an established authority on the topic of eco-friendly design, and has guided a number of teams through the LEED certification process, including 2 projects with Platinum ratings. In the past few years, Shannon has won several awards for her eco-friendly design work, including “Best Renovation” and “People’s Choice” awards at the Green Home Tour in Marin County. Shannon is on the permanent faculty at West Coast Green, and is a member of the US Green Building council and Architects / Designers / Planners for Social Responsibility.
Current projects include a significant renovation of a home in Presidio Heights, space planning for California Pacific Medical Center's Institute of Health and Healing, and numerous color design projects throughout the Bay Area.
Shannon Del Vecchio can be reached at: 800-548-3344 or at: Shannon@tranquilspaces.com.
About Friedman Brueggemeyer, Architects
Friedman Brueggemeyer consists of two managing partners, one a licensed Contractor and the other licensed in both Architecture and General Contracting. The company directly employs three more Architects and eight full time carpenters - many of whom have worked in this field for ten years or more. Each project is managed by one of the Partners, and supervised full time on-site by one of their Lead Carpenters who are engaged from the beginning of site protection to the final stages of project close out.
Current projects include large scale commercial interiors and storefronts, office tenant improvements, medium to high end residential additions and renovations, non-profit work for community health organizations, foster care facilities and other projects. All of their projects share in their commitment to environmentally sensitive designs and construction techniques; the company has recently build two LEED certified projects.
Friedman Brueggemeyer
924 Carleton Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
Phone
510.848.3390
