North Branch receives Building of the Year Award

Hooksett, NH The New Hampshire Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council presented North Branch Construction with their Building of the Year Award for the NHARNG Field Maintenance Shop at the NH Chapter’s Virtual Annual Meeting on December 3^rd. Also receiving the award for this project are Smith Alvarez Sienkiewycz Architects of Burlington, VT, architectural  designers for the project and the state of New Hampshire/NHARNG. 

North Branch constructed the 27,200 s/f facility to achieve Silver Level LEED certification by USGBC. The project, earning a total of 58 points in the Silver level LEED certification process, was the highest scoring project certified in New Hampshire and was the third highest scoring Silver level LEED project certified in the United States in 2020.

Twenty-three categories of LEED credits were utilized throughout construction to realize the Silver Level LEED certification. Maximum scores were achieved in eighteen different categories, including Optimize Energy Performance, On-site renewable energy, Construction IAQ Management Plan – during construction, enhanced commissioning, construction waste management, recycled content, regional materials, Alternative Transportation – low emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles and bicycle storage and changing rooms, Site Development – maximize open space, water efficient landscaping, Low-emitting materials – adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, flooring systems, Controllability of systems – lighting and thermal comfort, Increased ventilation, and Daylight and views – views.

Specific examples of materials and techniques implemented on the project include the over 11,000 cubic yards of ledge that were blasted on the project with 100% of the material blasted being processed and recycled for use onsite. The building is powered by a renewable energy source in the form of a photo-voltaic solar panel system. Additional LEED credits were realized through the use of regional materials; recycled steel; water-efficient landscaping and charging stations for electric cars.

The field maintenance building, located along Route 3 in Hooksett, NH, includes a six-bay garage with overhead crane maintenance capabilities, a drive-through wash bay, a tool storage room, offices, classrooms, and gym and shower facilities.