First IHG Hotel to Achieve LEED® Gold

Project Name

Project Location

Completion Date

The TeamOwner, Developer,

Franchisee

Franchisor

Architect

LEED Consultant

Mechanical Engineer

HVAC Distributor

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September 2010

firm of Surber Barber Choate & Hertlein, Atlanta, Ga. Partner Dennis Hertlein said, “We were impressed by the brand design demands – a refreshing departure from all other hotel chains. In a drive around rural Clarke County, Ga., Jeremy Moffett, our project architect, and I discovered the quintessential Clarke County symbol for our newest assignment – the county’s signature covered bridges and vernacular agricultural buildings, which we translated into simple volumes, clean lines, sloping roofs and the use of local materials.”

Incorporating Sustainability: Central Role for VRF Zoning System

To ensure LEED Gold certification in compliance with the LEED-New Construction guidelines, Rialto engaged Melaver Inc., a Savannah-based consulting firm best known for its expertise in sustainable development. Recycled and locally manufactured materials were utilized in the building’s construction. All guestroom furniture was sourced from a regional manufacturer within 500 miles. Additional green innovations included a regenerative elevator, low-flow plumbing fixtures, an outdoor water cistern that collects condensation from the air conditioning system to supply irrigation to courtyard foliage, and a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) zoning heating and air conditioning system.

Hotel Indigo Athens is located five blocks from the University of Georgia in the historic city of Athens, Ga., 75 miles east of Atlanta. One of 33 upscale boutique brand hotels developed by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Hotel Indigo Athens (Hotel Indigo) is one of only five hotels in the nation to achieve LEED Gold. It is also the first LEED Gold certified hotel in IHG’s extensive portfolio of 4,500 hotels in 100 countries and territories around the world.

Hotel Indigo was developed by Atlanta-based Rialto Partners, LLC (Rialto) and is managed by Park Place Hospitality Group, Charlotte, N.C. As property owners, Rialto is under a license agreement with IHG. Rialto specializes in sustainable development, bringing to market projects that meet LEED criteria and promote environmentally responsible building practices.

Reflecting the Local Community

In 2007, Rialto selected the Hotel Indigo brand because of its guiding principle that each hotel embody the vernacular of the local community. In contrast to the typical hotel chain property, no two Indigo hotels can look alike.

To define this one-of-a-kind image and reflect the local community, Rialto turned to the architectural

Hotel Indigo Athens Athens, Ga.

September 2009

Rialto Property Partners, LLC, Altanta, Ga.

InterContinental Hotel Group, Atlanta, Ga.

Suber Barber Choate + Hertlein Architects, P.C., Atlanta, Ga.

Melaver, Inc., Savannah, Ga.

HESM&A, Inc. Atlanta, Ga.

Mingledorff’s, Inc., Atlanta, Ga.

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High Efficiency Energy Performance

Equally impressed with the Mitsubishi system was Tim Gilbert, PE, CxA, LEED AP, principal-in-charge for HESM&A, Inc., Atlanta, Ga. HESM&A, Inc. was introduced to this high efficiency HVAC system by the sales team from Dean Long & Associates and Mingledorffs of Atlanta. “This is a great application to use when a building needs to have the high efficiency required to earn multiple LEED points,” Gilbert said. “To meet LEED requirements, a building must improve the overall energy efficiency at least 14 percent above the International Energy Code (ASHRAE 90.1 – 2004). The Mitsubishi Electric VRF zoning system along with the building’s north-south orientation, high efficiency glass and building insulation components

Tommy Linstroth is Melaver’s director of sustainability. “HVAC efficiencies and controls play a critical role in achieving high levels of LEED certification. The Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) zoning system from Mitsubishi Electric Cooling and Heating Solutions, Suwanee, Ga., helped us on many levels. The energy efficiency of the system and the ability to capture waste heat helped contribute to our energy credits, while the high degree of controls available helped us earn points for user comfort. Our ability to control the guest room temperature from the front desk allows us to keep the systems off when rooms are unoccupied and condition them when a guest checks in. You can’t do that on a room by room basis with too many HVAC systems,” he said.

combined to far exceed this requirement resulting in a 21 percent improvement in energy performance over the baseline of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004.”

VRF System Delivers LEED Points

Michelle Robb, LEED AP, is the vertical markets/ancillary product manager for Mingledorff’s, Inc., Norcross, Ga. “Mitsubishi Electric’s VRF zoning system contributed points in the Energy & Atmosphere and Environmental Quality sections for LEED,” she said. “The ability of this system to utilize waste heat to condition space of opposing needs, along with its unique INVERTER technology, provided the ability to size the system based on individual zone needs. This reduces the overall size of the system while not impacting occupant comfort. Waste heat recovery and the

The Mitsubishi VRF zoning system includes important core features for hotels, such as superb individual room controls, dehumidified indoor air and indoor fan coils that are extremely quiet.

every effort to create a very clean design environment for the individual rooms, hallways and public areas. The Mitsubishi system benefitted all these spaces with outstandingly clean, filtered indoor air quality and movement. Beyond this, we specified an elegant satin chrome linear air diffuser grille attached to the indoor fan coil supply duct. It is a stylish way to deliver the conditioned and dehumidified outside air that is mixed into each guest room HVAC unit via the HVAC energy recovery unit system.”

On a personal note, Hertlein explained that he and his wife were invited to attend the hotel’s grand opening

INVERTER technology increased energy efficiency over the ASHRAE 90.1 base building by over 21 percent. The INVERTER constantly varies the amount of energy used to meet the individual zone needs providing energy savings and occupant comfort – all important aspects of LEED certification requirements.

“Individual zone control is also a part of the LEED process,” Robb said. “The VRF system is controlled by the front desk for occupied/unoccupied status. Once occupied, the system allows occupant control while providing setback/setup during unoccupied times. The system also provides data logging for assistance with commissioning systems and re-certification of comfort controls throughout the life of the system.”

“Best Night’s Sleep in a Hotel I’ve Ever Had”

Hertlein added, “In addition to the significant, core qualities of the Mitsubishi Electric VRF zoning system – superb individual room controls, the extreme quietness of the indoor fan coils (important for hotels), we made

weekend. “Because of the super quiet Mitsubishi Electric system, filtered air, outstanding indoor air quality, clean environment, hardwood floors and no carpet, I had the best night’s sleep in a hotel I’ve ever had and woke up feeling great.”

Other Hotel Indigo Athens LEED Gold Highlights

Anna Ferretti, LEED AP, Rialto’s director of operations and development described the hotel’s other sustainable elements. These included a better building envelope to reduce heat gain; low-E windows; spray foam insulation; 1 gpf toilets; low flow faucets; and low-flow showerheads standard in every guestroom. The energy recovery unit system that ensures that outside air is introduced throughout the building’s HVAC system is an important energy-efficient element. Ferretti said the hotel is over 30 percent more water efficient and over 20 percent more energy efficient than code. Finally, a variety of transit options are available to all guests and employees – bus, bike, carpool and hybrid options are all encouraged at the hotel.

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Mitsubishi Electric Equipment Installed

(7) PURY R2-Series Outdoor Units

(1) PKFY Wall-mounted Indoor Unit

(91) PDFY Ceiling-concealed Indoor Units

(59) PEFY Ceiling-concealed Indoor Units

(15) BC Controllers

(151) PAR MAA Deluxe MA Remote Controllers

(4) G-50A Centralized Controllers

(4) G-50A BACnet Interface

(1) TG-2000 Integrated system software