Engineers and architects join to build first LEED certified house

The American Council of Engineering Companies of New York/Rochester Region (ACEC New York Rochester) and the American Institute of Architects - Rochester Chapter (AIA Rochester) have combined forces with Flower City Habitat for Humanity (FCHH) to sponsor and construct the first-ever LEED certified house built by FCHH. It is one of a handful of single family residences and the first Habitat single family house built to LEED standards in New York State. Premium costs for the LEED certification were provided by Day Automation Systems, Inc, located in Victor, N.Y. FCHH plans to incorporate some of the environmentally-friendly and "green" design and materials that give the project a sustainability element into future Habitat projects. The home is referred to as the ACES2. It is the second ACES house completed by these organizations in cooperation with FCHH. ACES stands for Architects Collaborating with Engineers for Shelter. Both AIA New York and ACEC New York are committed to advancing sustainable practices in design and construction and are proud of their collaboration with FCHH to date. FCHH is a non-denominational Christian housing ministry whose mission is to eliminate substandard and poverty housing in Rochester. To date, the group has constructed close to 170 houses in the community. ACES2 is located on Campbell St. near Child St. at I-490 in Rochester. The house was dedicated and turned over to the new homeowner, Fredricka Washington, on September 26 during a joint AIA New York and ACEC New York state conference in Rochester entitled Mainstreets. During the conference, AIA Rochester and ACEC New York Rochester were presented the 2009 AIA New York State, Inc. Community Development Award for their efforts on this project. LEED stands for leadership in energy and environmental design, which is a green building rating and certification system instituted by the U.S. Green Building Council that takes into account such project elements as location, use of sustainable building materials, energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality, landscaping and many other factors. Several levels of certification exist within the LEED system, and it is expected this house will achieve the third highest or silver level. It is hoped that this house will become a model for future Habitat projects in upstate New York and elsewhere. AIA-Rochester and ACEC New York Rochester members raised all of the funds required to build the house and provided the majority of the labor needed for construction. Other local firms (including Dataflow and Wegmans Food Markets) donated materials and in-kind services, which resulted in a wide base of support for the project from the local professional community. Due to the economic conditions and fund raising short-falls, the project almost did not go forward. Last minute support by their fellow ACEC New York Regions in Mid-Hudson and Metro made this project in Rochester possible.