A Schnecksville, Pennsylvania apple orchard is now home to the first energy positive building in the Lehigh Valley. This unique, sustainable office building is located in an industrial region generally known for steel production. Designed by Syracuse, New York based Ashley McGraw Architects for the Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF), the building is expected to refocus the spotlight on the central and eastern Pennsylvania community seeking to complete new projects with innovative, energy conscious construction. With its cold winters and hot summers, the Lehigh Valley is a great proving ground to demonstrate the potential of energy-efficient building.

“This project provides a blueprint for achieving net-positive energy within the financial structure of a speculative building,” said Andrew Schuster, an Ashley McGraw Principal and leader of the firm’s commercial architecture practice. “We were excited to collaborate with a client like SEF who set this bold goal and shares our commitment to regenerative design and the proven value it offers to all stakeholders.”

The new Net Zero Energy office building was designed and built to demonstrate that a Net Zero Energy approach can be used for a leasable office building for a similar development cost to comparable office buildings.

The Net Zero Office Building is proof of SEF’s lasting commitment to finding an improved, fiscally and physically feasible way to build energy positive commercial spaces. Advancing sustainability requires us to strive beyond our capacity. It requires us to embrace new mindsets and undertake new initiatives. For 20 years, Sustainable Energy Fund has strived to advance sustainable energy in Pennsylvania, financing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects as well as pushing forth initiatives to expand others’ capacities and capabilities.

The building will approach net-zero from the design approach of other NZEs by combining significantly improved energy efficiency to lower its energy demand and incorporating on-site renewables to generate the remainder. Building material technologies have improved significantly in recent years, and buildings can combine these technologies with advanced air sealing techniques to significantly reduce the amount of energy needed to operate the building while still retaining comfort. Additionally, the continuing decline of solar photovoltaic costs has allowed renewable
generation to be much more cost-efficient.

Drawing on Passive House strategies, the design sets a regional standard in sustainability - from both economic and performance perspectives. The SEF building will consume about 75% less energy comparable commercial structures in the region while generating 30% more energy than it needs on site! Several design and technological strategies were deployed for achieving this high standard of efficiency while delivering the project within budget limitations:
-The building is oriented carefully on a former apple orchard to take maximum advantage of sun and shade. It’s surfaces and openings are positioned to minimize energy expenditures while enhancing the interior environment
-An array of photovoltaic panels mounted on the roof of the single- story building will generate all necessary energy for the operation of the facility, with 30% excess to sell back to the utility.
-The building envelope is designed for high performance, with continuous insulation and an air leakage rate below the Passive House US standard of 0.08CFM75
-All building systems—from HVAC to plumbing to electrical and lighting—are selected and engineered for optimal balance between cost and performance.

It will provide over 12,000 square feet of leasable office space and offers shared amenity spaces for tenants, including a conference room/classroom, kitchen, and restrooms.