Local architectural firm focuses on green design

The architectural firm of Derthick, Henley & Wilkerson has been green for years.

More than 30 years ago, the firm designed TVA's Chattanooga office complex to consume about 48 percent less energy than other similarly sized office buildings in the region.

Architects at the firm designed the Chattanooga Convention Center, which they tout as being the nation's first day-lit convention hall which saves up to 40 percent of its energy use.

Derthick Henley & Wilkerson also designed the North parking area at Finley Stadium with pervious paving to recycle rainwater into an irrigation system.

"We've been doing this stuff all along," said Bill Wilkerson, a partner with the firm.

The 17-employee firm is continuing this focus on environmental design by boosting training for its staff on environmentally responsible projects.

"During this down economy, we see it as an opportunity to provide some intensive training for our staff to get them certified to work on LEED projects," he said, referring to the U.S. Green Building Council's certification for green building and design.

The firm has several ongoing projects including multiple projects for UTC and a parking garage for Unum that is expected to receive at least a Silver LEED certification level.

"We hope to gain a higher status than that," Mr. Wilkerson said.

Ray Boaz, an architect with Derthick, Henley & Wilkerson said the Unum garage will use about 50 percent less energy than other parking garages in the area and will recycle most of the concrete at the site during the construction process.

"Many people believe that LEED or sustainability has to do with energy use," Mr. Boaz said. "LEED and sustainability takes a cross-section of what all makes a building healthier to work in as well as the materials that go in it and the materials that are used."

He pointed to carbon dioxide monitors which will trigger fans if the levels reach a certain level, or "walk-off" mats which remove dirt and debris from shoes as people leave the garage and enter Unum's office buildings.

Mr. Boaz called it a "holistic approach" to design.

Since Derthick, Henley & Wilkerson was founded almost 50 years ago, Mr. Wilkerson said building techniques and computers have revolutionized how green projects are undertaken, but environmental responsibility has always been important.

"It's fun to go back and re-challenge yourself to look at things a little differently," he said.