Irgens‘ Innovation Campus Phase I in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, recently reached a major green milestone.
The office campus was awarded certification under the Sustainable SITES® Initiative (SITES) rating system that is administered by Green Business Certification Inc.™ (GBCI®). It is the first project in the state of Wisconsin to receive this certification, which promotes sustainable and resilient landscape development.
Innovation Campus in Wauwatosa is adjacent to County Grounds Park, one of the largest and last remaining undeveloped areas in Milwaukee County. It is home to various wildlife species including birds, butterflies, deer, owls and more. It boasts a rich habitat and miles of walking trails. It also hosts several endangered species and an old-growth forest, Sanctuary Woods.
When Irgens began planning the first phase of development on Innovation Campus, the company established a goal to be responsible stewards of the 7.74-acre parcel and protect the area for future generations.
Project team members, government officials, community stakeholders and environmental groups were all involved in the planning process. They helped Irgens program ways to improve the land’s overall resilience and implement nature-based solutions to responsible land development. SITES provided a comprehensive framework for the program and awarded certification to the project following a rigorous evaluation process.
Innovation Campus Phase I features a 70,784-square-foot office building, known as Innovation One, that is LEED™ Silver-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. It also includes a 633-stall parking structure featuring solar panels and the largest green roof in the State of Wisconsin.
“We knew we had a rare opportunity on this special site, so our team set a lofty goal to go above and beyond to protect and enhance the landscape for not only our office building occupiers, but also for the greater community,” said project developer, Andrea Mullins.
“The outcome is a sustainable land development with a SITES Certified landscape design that enhances biodiversity and helps mitigate climate change, conserve resources, protect critical ecosystems and improve the public’s health and well-being. I am extremely proud of what we were able to accomplish together,” Mullins said.
Team members involved in the SITES certification process include:
- Developer: Irgens
- Architect: Kahler Slater
- General Contractor: CG Schmidt
- Landscape Design & SITES AP: New Eden Landscape Architecture
- Landscape Installation: David J. Frank
- Engineers: The Sigma Group (civil), Pierce Engineers (structural)
“Sustainable landscapes are essential to the well-being of all life,” said Peter Templeton, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Green Building Council and GBCI. “These landscapes reduce water demand, filter and reduce storm water runoff, provide wildlife habitat, reduce urban heat islands, improve air quality and human health and increase outdoor recreation opportunities. With their SITES Certification, Irgens demonstrates an acknowledgement of this reality, and a commitment to improving spaces for their community.”
