ATAS Awarded For Part In Green Project

ATAS International Inc., a manufacturer of metal roofing and wall and ceiling panels, was honored by the state of Virginia with a 2009 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award during the Environment Virginia Symposium, which took place in April 2009 in Lexington, VA. Presented by Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources L. Preston Bryant Jr., the award is for the Better Living Building Supply: Better Living Phase II in Charlottesville, VA. The Phase II of this project, which consisted of the Mill Shop for the Better Living Inc. store, was the Silver Medal Winner in the Environmental Project Category.

An example of the ATAS InSpire wall product is shown here.
An example of the ATAS InSpire wall product is shown here.

ATAS, which is headquarters in Allentown, PA, contributed its InSpire Wall to the Better Living Building Supply. InSpire consists of transpired solar collector metal wall panels mounted a few inches from the building’s outer wall. The perforations in the wall panels allow outside air to travel through the face of the panel. Solar heated air at the surface of the panel is then drawn through the perforations where it rises between the two walls and enters the building’s ventilation system. In the summer, InSpire helps to keep the building more comfortable by preventing normal solar radiation from striking the building’s main wall. Hot air is thermally siphoned up the wall and vented through holes at the top of the system, leaving the main wall cooler. By-pass dampers in the summer allow fresh air to be drawn into the building, maintaining indoor air quality. About 2,240 square feet of the 0.032-aluminum InSpire wall system clads the southern wall of the facility. Because of InSpire, the southern wall collects solar heat for use inside the facility. This means the traditional HVAC system is used only for supplemental heat.

The 24,000 square foot Better Living Building Supply Mill Shop was constructed from a pre-engineered metal building design. Other sustainable features include water efficient fixtures; rainwater collectors that include an 80,000 gallon storage tank under the parking lot for use in the sprinkler system and site irrigation; no- or low-VOC materials for the building interior; recycled materials; and recycling more than 75% of the construction materials.

Those recognized along with ATAS for their involvement in the sustainable aspects of the project include: architect of record and LEED consultant, The Gaines Group PLC, Charlottesville; general contractor, Mathers Construction Team, Waynesboro, Va.; and commissioning agent, F7 Engineering Group LLC, Charlottesville.

About The VA Awards Program

The Governor’s Award program is co-sponsored by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Virginia Manufacturers Association’s Outreach Committee, and Dominion Virginia Power.

Twenty three entries were recognized with awards in the categories of Environmental Program, Environmental Project, and Land Conservation. The program recognizes the significant contributions of environmental and conservation leaders, and the awards are given to businesses and industrial facilities, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, and individuals.

Other 2009 winners included: U.S. Army Garrison Center in Fort Lee for its Pollution Prevention Program; the YMCA at Virginia Tech for its Ytoss? program to divert campus items from landfill; and Canon Virginia for its cartridge recycling program. All winner profiles can be found here…


2 COMMENTS

  1. we would like receive more information on pre engineered steel building design .Pl contact us with more information
    Thanks Hans

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