Credit: Robb Cohen Photography
The Excellence in Building Enclosure Consulting (EBEC) Award, presented by the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC), honors projects that demonstrate exceptional expertise in building enclosure design, construction, and performance. The award recognizes achievements in energy efficiency, sustainability, and system performance, celebrating innovative solutions and the outstanding contributions of building enclosure professionals, their collaborators, and clients in advancing building enclosure standards.
Baumann Consulting is honored to receive the 2024 IIBEC EBEC Award in the Commissioning category for our role as the commissioning agent on the Heartland Community College Net Zero Energy Agriculture Complex project. This recognition reflects Baumann Consulting’s dedication to delivering solutions for a carbon-neutral real estate industry by incorporating sustainable building practices and achieving Net-Zero Energy standards.
Credit: Robb Cohen Photography
The Heartland Community College Agriculture Complex in Normal, Illinois, is a 29,500-square-foot facility designed to train the next generation of agricultural professionals with an emphasis on technology and sustainability. The building features a range of energy-efficient systems, including a geothermal heat recovery chiller, hydronic radiant slabs, heat pump water heaters, and a well-insulated, thermally broken, and carefully detailed envelope, while also integrating a teaching greenhouse. Baumann Consulting led the building enclosure commissioning process, ensuring optimal performance and adherence to net-zero energy standards by conducting comprehensive testing, including air and water infiltration tests. The project utilized advanced design and construction techniques, including cross-laminated timber, and aimed for IFLI Zero Energy Certification, supported by a $2 million grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Fund.
The focus on commissioning in the Heartland Community College Agriculture Complex project emphasizes the significance of not just creating a building that is visually appealing and functional, but also ensuring it operates efficiently and sustainably over time. Through comprehensive commissioning, the project team ensured the building met its energy and performance goals. The project’s commissioning approach ensured that the building systems were optimized for energy efficiency, reducing operational costs while improving comfort and performance for the users.
