Completion: 2011

Objective: Construct a sustainable office building that would reduce operating costs and create a wonderful working environment to attract premier tenants willing to pay premium prices in the heart of Miami’s financial district.

Work Completed: The Forum group hired BVM Engineering (BVME), the Atlanta division of IES, to perform the energy analysis and commissioning. The team drove the LEED process from the initial concept phase to the submittal of the documentation to ensure a smooth process and the accomplishment of the LEED Platinum rating. BVME provided a number of energy models to help the design team understand what impact a huge range of variables would have on energy use and comfort levels within the building. As well as predicting an 18 percent reduction in energy costs, BVME’s HVAC system adjustments provided outdoor air ventilation efficiency to all occupied spaces exceeding 30 percent more than ASHRAE requirements. On completion, BVME commissioned the building by testing not just the LEED features, but the lighting controls, building management system, electrical HVAC, and plumbing systems to ensure there were no problems for future tenants.

“The quality consulting, energy modeling, and commissioning provided by BVME enabled us to become the first LEED Platinum high-rise office building in Florida. Tenants tell me the LEED Platinum rating is a key factor.”
- Loretta Cockrum, CEO, The Forum Group

Publication date: 9/2/2013

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