Sustainable Facility magazine’s September issues includes an article titled “Looking at HVAC,” which features a Q+A session with Dunham engineers Dale Holland and Randy Olson regarding modern HVAC systems and design practices. (PDF)
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Dunham Opens Duluth Office
To better serve its northern Minnesota clients and stimulate further growth in the region, Dunham has opened a new office in Duluth, MN.
Great River Energy Headquarters Awarded LEED-NC Platinum Certification
The new Great River Energy Headquarters facility has earned a LEED Platinum Certification—the highest honor for sustainable green building construction—from the United State Green Building Council (USGBC). This honor was achieved by incorporating nearby Arbor Lake as a geothermal heating and cooling source, its utilization of a thermal displacement ventilation system, extensive daylight harvesting, rainwater retention, photovoltaic array, and a wind turbine to reduce its carbon footprint. This is also the first LEED Platinum project in Minnesota.
Dunham Goes 100% Renewable
Dunham’s Board of Directors has approved a motion to sign a contract authorizing the purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs), thus committing 100% of the firm’s energy usage to come from renewable sources. The move is part of Dunham’s core belief in ecological stewardship, which it sees as a fundamental responsibility of the engineering profession. Purchasing these RECs at the same quantity as its electricity consumption reduces Dunham’s environmental footprint and guarantees that the energy the firm uses is added to the power grid from a renewable energy facility—thus supporting further development of these facilities.
EC&M Magazine Features Dunham Engineers
Electrical Construction and Maintenance magazine’s February issue features “Seeing Green,” an article that debunks several myths around the costs of sustainable building and features quotes from multiple Dunham engineers on the sustainable building design challenges they’ve faced. (PDF)
Architecture MN Magazine Features Dunham
Architecture MN‘s Jan./Feb. issue includes an article titled “Going Stag is Going Green” that focuses on Dunham’s commitment to green/sustainable design practices and highlights the firm’s recent move from the suburbs to its new LEED-CI Silver Office in downtown Minneapolis.
Dunham Featured in Metro Transit Newsletter
Metro Transit’s newsletter recently highlighted Dunham’s move to downtown Minneapolis, as well as the firm’s decision to subsidize the full monthly cost of Metro Transit Passes—thus reducing the use of individual vehicles by giving each employee unlimited rides on all forms of public transportation. This program also earned Dunham the prestigious “Rookie of the Year Award” at the 2007 Metro Transit Commuter Choice Awards.
Dunham Adopts 2030 Challenge
Recognizing ecological stewardship as a fundamental responsibility of the engineering profession, Dunham’s Board of Directors has unanimously approved and will officially adopt the 2030 Challenge. Established by the nonprofit organization Architecture 2030, the 2030 Challenge is to make all new buildings, developments and major renovations carbon-neutral by the year 2030. The program sets incremental goals of 70% at its adoption, 80% by 2020 and 90% by 2025—and promotes the use of innovative sustainable design strategies, on-site renewable power, and renewable energy from local power companies.
Dunham Office Awarded LEED-CI Silver Certification
Dunham’s new downtown Minneapolis office space has been awarded LEED-CI Silver Certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Recognizing how a high-quality indoor environment can positively impact employee comfort and productivity, the office incorporated sustainable design strategies that earned not only the LEED certification, but also an Energy Star rating of 97. Sustainable elements of the project include a space that is 75% day lit with a complex lighting system providing added efficiency (such as dimming during daylight hours), as well as inactivity sensors that shut down unoccupied parts of the office. In addition, the office achieved 41% reduction in water usage, 22% use of recycled content and 70% use of regional materials—with over 55% of construction waste diverted from landfills.
Additional Dunham Awards
- 2003 NAIOP Award of Excellence – Repositioned/Renovated Category: BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota Yankee Place – Eagan, MN
- 2003 AIA Nevada Excellence in Design Awards – Honor Award for Built Category: Paseo Verde Library – Henderson, NV
- 2003 Minnesota Shopping Center Association STARR Award for Design & Aesthetics in Interior Retail: Toto at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport
- 2002 Airport Retail News Best Concession Poll: Northstar Crossing – Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport
- 2001 Public Works Project of the Year Award: Royalston Avenue and Currie Avenue Maintenance Facilities – American Public Works Association (APWA)
- 2001 NAIOP Award of Excellence: BlueCross BlueShield River Park II – Eagan, MN
- 2001 South Dakota Engineering Society (Black Hills Chapter) Outstanding Engineering Project of the Year: YMCA Aquatic Center Expansion – Rapid City, SD
- 2001 Design/Build Excellence Award: Jackson Hall Renovation, U of M – Minneapolis, MN Design/Build 2001 Single-SourceBook
Star Tribune Article Features Dunham Project
Star Tribune reporter Paul Levy has published an article titled “An Energy Model for All to See” that features the 160-foot wind turbine installed as part of Dunham’s Great River Energy headquarters project in Maple Grove, MN. The article spotlights the unique placement of a wind turbine in an urban location, and touches on the other sustainable aspects of the groundbreaking project.
Dunham Wins 2007 Commuter Choice Award
Recognizing the firm’s efforts to promote Metro Transit’s commuter program, Metro Transit awarded Dunham its Rookie of the Year title at the recent Metro Transit Commuter Choice Awards. As part of its move to downtown Minneapolis, Dunham chose to subsidize the full monthly cost of the unlimited-rise transit pass for employees—providing a strong financial benefit while also decreasing the environmental impacts of commuting.
Dunham Hosts First Downtown Open House
Dunham recently held its first open house showcasing the firm’s new downtown Minneapolis office—drawing over 200 clients, friends and associates. Our staff received rave reviews on the delicious food and drink options, as well as the space’s design and high-tech features.