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June 20, 2005

Rumsey Engineers Sweeps 2005 Savings By Design Energy Efficiency Integration Design Competition with Three Awards

Oakland, Calif. - Rumsey Engineers today announced that the company has received a record three 2005 Savings By Design Energy Efficiency Integration Design Awards. Cosponsored by the American Institute of Architects, California Council, these awards annually recognize professionals who achieve a rare combination of excellent design, creativity, environmental sensitivity, and innovative energy efficiency solutions in their work.

The Global Ecology Research Center on the Stanford University campus received an Award of Honor. The judges were impressed by the designers' innovative integration of building form with passive ventilation and lighting. They also praised the building's refined details and its use of natural materials and natural light. They called the mechanical system "gutsy," remarking that it could function as a learning environment for designing other mechanical systems. This is the building's fourth award to date.

The Natural Resources Defense Council in San Francisco received a Citation Award. This office interior renovation comprises 19,700 square feet on two floors of an existing downtown office building that was originally constructed in 1927. The project includes private offices, open work areas, conference rooms, and a law library. The design minimizes energy use, maximizes comfort, enhances access to daylight, views, and indoor air quality, and uses recycled/renewable/non-toxic materials. The project also implemented aggressive water management and indoor air quality during construction. The building exceeds Title 24 compliance standards by 50 percent.

The Morgan Hill Aquatics Center in Morgan Hill, California also received a Citation Award. This recreational and competitive aquatic facility includes an 8,825 square foot building on 8.5 acres of a flat, rural site. Sustainable design, careful programming, and energy-saving features combine to create a dynamic outdoor social center with four pools and low-maintenance support buildings. Among its most innovative energy-saving features is the use of windscreens that reduce pool heating costs by 40 percent.

"Between the record number of entries and the general evolution of expertise in energy efficient design, this year's competition was intense," commented Charles Angyal, FAIA, Chief Architect at San Diego Gas & Electric. "But the deserving winners still rose solidly to the top, setting new standards for the design community."

"It's extremely gratifying to be recognized by Savings by Design for such a wide range of our projects," said Peter Rumsey, president of Rumsey Engineers. "These awards reflect the vision of our clients and the innovative design of our mechanical systems that reach the highest levels energy efficiency and sustainability."

For more information about the 2005 Savings By Design Energy Efficiency Integration Design Award winners, see http://www.savingsbydesign.com/awards-2005/index.html.

Rumsey Engineers, Inc., is a Bay Area-based design engineering firm that specializes in innovative HVAC system solutions for the most demanding commercial installations and critical environments, including green buildings, data centers, cleanrooms and laboratories. The company's philosophy is based on the premise that the best design is simple, elegant and results in substantially lower energy costs. For more information, see www.rumseyengineers.com.