Schluter Systems | Reno Distribution Center FACTS
Reno Facility | Building Tour Notes
Welcome to Schluter Systems!
Our state-of-the-art facility features a multitude of sensible and sustainable technologies to maximize energy efficiency, water usage and air quality. Our goal was to provide our employees with maximum comfort, through innovative design, and at the same time be environmentally responsible both as a corporation and as individuals. To accomplish this, we joined forces with a multidisciplinary team of architects, engineers, and consultants familiar with green building technologies and practices.
The total building area is 172,500 SF. It consists of a 2-storey office section (22,500 SF) used primarily as a training center and office, combined with a 150,000 SF warehouse and distribution center.
LONG-TERM VISION
Conscious of our impact on the environment, we made every effort to limit the use of energy and water utilities and implement measures that ensure the long-term sustainability of our facility. The building construction was a hands-on R&D project for Schluter. Many of our products, including but not limited to, KERDI-Board, DITRA, BEKOTEC, DITRA-Heat, profiles, shower kits etc. are showcased throughout the building. It is a great example of how conventional building methods continue to evolve over the years, and how tile and stone can be key elements in the successful implementation of sustainable systems that maximize energy efficiency.
SENSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE
LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building rating system based on a set of standards for the environmentally sustainable design, construction and operation of the building. Thanks to the overall design and the various commonsense green practices implemented, our facility has accumulated sufficient points to obtain LEED® Gold Certification.
Enjoy the tour!
BUILDING HIGHLIGHTS | EXTERIOR
ORIENTATION
Office block & most of the windows facing north, lessen impact of the Sun, thus lowering the load on the HVAC system & overall energy consumption
FACADE
Porcelain tile used extensively over Schluter KERDI & DITRA. Porcelain is made of natural materials, contains no VOC’s, and is easily maintained providing a long life.
GLASS
All glass used is clear low E ban–70, highly reflective (over 90%), very energy efficient, and yet allows for maximum amount of natural light to all workstations and atrium providing incredible views.
LANDSCAPE
Desert landscape (except around the perimeter of the office); indigenous replanting so as to minimize water usage and its impact on the environment.
PARKING
Employee parking kept to a minimum thus lessening the ‘heat island’ effect and positioned in the shade of the warehouse for the better part of the day.
LIGHTING
Exterior lighting (mostly LED) was kept to a minimum so as not to cause light pollution. No light whatsoever extends beyond the property line.
SOLAR PANEL
Located adjacent to the parking, produces all the hot water requirements for the building for pennies per day.
WELL FIELD
Ground source well field located below the employee parking area consists of 36 wells at an average depth of 300 feet. The well field acts as the primary source of heating and cooling for the building. The energy model shows an overall savings of greater than 50% for the building.
SOLAR WALL
Located on the south wall of the warehouse are 3 solar wall units totaling 4,500 square feet. One services the office while the other two serve the warehouse. Each can generate up to 40° F above the outdoor temperature all throughout the heating season. FREE heating plus fresh air.
WHITE ROOF
Both the office block and warehouse have white roofs to minimize the effect of the Sun on the HVAC load.
SKYLIGHTS
Important component for meeting LEED requirements for natural light, installed 64 high performance units in the warehouse and an additional 3 in the office atrium.
SHIPPING
Exterior shipping and receiving areas have been finished in cement surfaces rather than heavy duty asphalt, so as to minimize the ‘heat island’ effect and continuous repairs.
INSULATED BUILDING ENVELOPE
Office walls and roof are R-40+
Warehouse walls R-24
Warehouse roof R-30
BUILDING HIGHLIGHTS | INTERIOR - OFFICE
GLASS ATRIUM
Multi-functional use. Acts as the focal point of the building and it is a great greeting and mingling place. Stupendous amount of natural light provided for by glass façade and skylights, with spectacular views of the mountains. Grandiose feeling of open space with over 60,000 cubic feet of fresh air from the earth tunnel and solar wall.
GREEN LIVING WALL
Includes over 200 various plants spread out over a 400 SF area which includes a two-story waterfall and retention basin. Its many advantages include improving air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide, adding oxygen to the air, acting as bio-filters by absorbing VOC, reducing noise levels and at the same time helps humidify the building.
PORCELAIN TILE
Used extensively throughout the facility because it is a natural product (clay) which is very easy to maintain, lasts a lifetime, is 100% recyclable, dust free, VOC free, and a perfect conductor of both heat and cold for the hydronic system.
RADIANT HEATING & COOLING
Schluter BEKOTEC in-floor hydronic radiant heating system reacts very quickly to changes in temperature and consumes much less energy than traditional systems. Since the screed mass to be heated is relatively small, the floor heating can be well regulated and operated at a low temperature range. The hydronic pipes are positioned close to the surface which creates a reaction time that is 8 times faster than a traditional system. The use of DITRA creates a more uniform delivery and reduces striping.
WASHROOMS
Waterless urinals in the men’s room, two-flush toilets and low flow faucets throughout the facility (including in the showers) all help reduce water consumption to a minimum. Consumption reduction of over 50% is expected.
T5 LIGHTING
High efficiency T5 lighting together with movement and time of day sensors is used throughout the office area to reduce consumption and save energy.
EMON
A state of- the- art electrical monitoring system (includes 13 sub-meters) is used to assure peak energy performance throughout the building.
CO2 Detection System
Installed in the training room to assure a constant flow of fresh air while classes are is session.
BCS
In addition to the EMON, the building is equipped with a highly sophisticated Building Control System, which is capable of remote diagnostics. The BCS in conjunction with the EMON system should provide total employee comfort and tremendous savings over the life of the building. As previously mentioned, the computer model indicates an energy savings of greater than 50% over a traditional installation.
BUILDING HIGHLIGHTS | INTERIOR - WAREHOUSE
RADIANT WALL
First of its kind in North America, used as the primary heating source for the warehouse which consists of 2.4 Million cubic feet by volume, 980 linear feet in length by a height of 8 feet and connected to the well field via the mechanical room. Surface finished in both tile and sheet rock. All the same advantages as the radiant floors in the office
SKYLIGHTS
One high performance skylight per 1200 square feet, to assure as much natural sunlight as possible for the warehouse employees and helps cut back on artificial lighting.
LIGHTING
Energy efficient High Bay LED lighting installed throughout with zone control and motion sensor control to reduce consumption.
SOLAR WALLS
Two solar walls provide an additional 3,000 square feet of supplemental heating during the heating season, at no cost.
EVAPORATIVE COOLING
Evaporative cooling system installed throughout the warehouse for optimal employee comfort and performance.
MECHANICAL ROOM
The heart of the mechanical system. Includes the earth tunnel intake, solar wall intake, all ground source heating and cooling equipment, solar hot water, heat pumps, controls and above all the Recovery heating and cooling unit. It alone recovers up to 90% of the conditioned air prior to leaving the building, resulting in tremendous energy savings.
