Missoula Credit Union, MT

Project Overview

The Missoula Federal Credit Union is a single story financial institution which obtained a LEED PLATINUM certification from USGBC in 2009.  Encouraged by the commitment from the Missoula Federal Credit Union staff and board, the design team’s goal was to use sustainable practice and local suppliers for the most environmentally-responsible building possible.  By utilizing structural insulated panels, the high performance rigid insulation in the SIP walls and roof increase  energy performance in the credit union for the long term. SIPs construction enabled the building to meet several goals: obtain 50% in energy savings, divert 93% of construction waste from the landfill, and receive USGBC LEED PLATINUM certification with 57 out of 69 possible points.

PROJECT GREEN ELEMENTS

Recognizing that buildings consume a great deal of resources throughout construction and use, products and systems were evaluated and selected that minimized the building’s embodied energy, and future energy consumption and resource use.  Energy and daylight modeling were used to incorporate resource-efficient measures throughout the building.  High R-value structural insulated panels (SIPs) were used fro the roof and walls (5,708 sq. ft. of 8″ SIP walls and 6,816 sq. ft. of 12″ SIP roof panels) and rain-screen construction was used for exterior cladding, resulting in a performing envelope with little thermal bridging.  The structure accommodates a very aggressive solar panel structure which covers the drive-thru banking lanes.

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THE PREMIER SIPS SOLUTION:

ENERGY EFFICIENT & COST EFFECTIVE:  Reduce heating and cooling costs by 60% for significant operational savings, which can be directed back into the school’s operational budget

HEALTHY:  Superior indoor air quality with reduced infiltration of outside pollutants, which can benefit those with respiratory ailments.

COMFORTABLE:  Warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, ideal controlled indoor environments for employees and clients.

EASY TO OPERATE:  Tight Building envelope reduces HVAC mechanical equipment sizes and related heating and cooling over the life of each building

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE:  SIPs produce 30% less job-site waste than traditional construction