Congratulations to Our Newly-Minted LEED Accredited Professionals

Congratulations to Charis Bengston, David Coleman, Laurel Harrington, Robin Ringwald, Steve Schaefer and Bryan Sechrist on becoming Christner’s newest LEED Accredited Professionals!  They are in good company - our group of LEED APs now numbers 18.

This group diligently applies sustainable principles to each of our projects.  For some clients LEED certification is a goal, and so far we have completed four LEED certified buildings.   Four more are registered, with the goal of certification.

Express Scripts Headquarters Lauded by Business Week Magazine

The Express Scripts Headquarters has been recognized by Business Week Magazine as one of the top 25 Green Headquarters in the United States.  Designed by Christner, the LEED Certified facility represents Express Scripts’ commitment to environmental responsibility.  A number of sustainable strategies were used, including:

• Sustainable materials like linoleum, bamboo and cork
• 10′ high ceilings and internal office configuration to maximize daylight penetration
• Office and conference room lighting operated on motion sensors
• The site is used to its fullest potential, including landscaping the retention pond to create a focal point for the employee cafeteria

St. John’s Mercy Heart Hospital Recognized as National Model for Healthcare Design

A case study covering the innovative planning and design behind the Heart Hospital at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center has been included by Joint Commission Resources in their guide, Planning, Design, and Construction of Health Care Facilities, Second Edition.  The publication provides organizations with guidelines for achieving Joint Commission and other internationally recognized standards for healthcare facilities.  The case studies included are designed to show real-world examples of strategies hospitals can use to achieve these standards.

Another Christner project was featured in the highly successful first edition.  The innovative Parkland Health Center was included as a model for serving the healthcare needs of small communities.

Innovative Project Sponsored by Lincoln University Earns ASLA Central States Award

Lincoln University’s Institute for Integrated Micro-Community for the 21st Century has earned a Merit Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects.  Christner worked with the University to create a Master Plan that meets their goal of addressing global and socioeconomic changes and challenges, with a focus on small farmers, families, youth, and small businesses in Missouri.  To achieve this ambitious goal, Lincoln University will create a sustainable small-farm community with housing for visitors, research facilities for faculty, a youth camp, a visitor center and farmer’s market.

Christner’s Landscape Design Selected as National Model

The Sustainable Sites Initiative has selected the John Burroughs School bio-retention system as one of 14 projects across the country that exemplify sustainable landscape practices.  Sustainable Sites is a rating system for non-building projects that is currently in development, and will be similar in application to LEED.

The three-tiered bio-retention system at John Burroughs is designed to naturally filter storm water runoff before it is allowed to enter the existing campus pond.  The water quality of the pond is protected, as well as other downstream resources.  As part of the science curriculum, students are participating by selecting and planting vegetation, and providing ongoing monitoring and maintenance.  The integration of the system into the science curriculum provides hands-on learning opportunities for the students and the community.  Christner’s partner on the project was Peter Gisolfi Associates.

You can read Christner’s case study here.