How We Work Sustainability

Responding to
Climate Change
Is At Our Core

At Clark, we acknowledge that the challenge of climate change requires an immediate, thoughtful, and comprehensive response from all of us.

Environmental + Sustainability Focus

According to the USGBC, the construction industry accounts for 40% of worldwide energy usage, with building emissions growing and not shrinking. We are committed to reducing this trend with environmental and sustainability goals that are aggressive and, we believe, achievable.

SUSTAINABILITY

Pre-construction
+ Planninng

Achieving environmental and sustainability goals begins early on our projects through a collaborative approach between the Pre-Construction Team and our design & construction partners. Clark’s in-house team of diverse planners and experienced estimators gather and manage a prioritized collection of design ideas for the project, and then examine them for their intrinsic value to the project, its stakeholders, and the environment.

The Clark Construction Budget Tracker and Planner allows us to organize and communicate the impact of any design element solution through all phases of design. The value of each proposed concept is measured against:

  • Principles of Sustainable Construction
  • Value Analysis & Value Management Strategies
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Systems and Materials

Some recent examples of Cost/Climate Value Analysis completed in previous project planning phases include:

  • Thermal Energy Storage Systems
  • Solar Power
  • Low Carbon Concrete Alternatives
  • Ground Source Heating/Cooling Equipment
  • Rainwater Harvesting
  • On-site Renewable Energy Generation
  • Outdoor Classroom & Natural Learning Space

Listening, educating, and challenging the team to offset the negative impact of traditional construction practices through exploration and assessment, will inevitably empower the team to innovate and make climate-positive decisions in every phase of construction.

Our processes enable us to forecast total cost of ownership (TCO) and return on investment (ROI), as well as bringing into focus the total investment per pupil (TIPP) and total investment per staff member (TISM). Ultimately, this ensures that the team is upholding our commitments to the community by responsibly allocating our investments to what we value most, your staff, visitors, patients, or students.

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SUSTAINABILITY

Construction
Practices

Our jobsites will adhere to the following guidelines:

Waste Recycling

We have adopted stringent standards for waste recycling and minimization on all projects and we require new projects recycle a minimum of 75 percent of construction waste.

Most projects exceed that goal, and in some cases, more than 95 percent recycling will occur. These efforts include a combination of creative strategies including recycling of raw materials produced in demolition, minimizing waste by asking suppliers to eliminate packing and shipping materials, and reusing building components.

Energy
Conservation
Measures

The major energy consumption areas during construction will be electrical energy, especially lighting, and temporary heating, as needed.

  • Putting the construction electrical service on a timer to shut down after hours, with the ability to illuminate based on motion detection. This approach reduces energy consumption and enhances security, because anyone trespassing the site at night would be flagged from the motion detection.
  • Implement the use of high efficiency light bulbs for temporary lighting.
  • Install a vestibule at the major trade entrance, and strip curtains at loading areas to reduce heat loss in the winter while doors remain open at times.
  • Install insulated plywood and insulated tarps for temporary protection of any area.
  • Expedite installation of insulated Low-E windows and facade/enclosure materials prior to the winter construction heating season.

Methods of
Construction Waste
Minimization

Construction waste minimization refers to the practices and strategies employed to reduce the amount of waste generated during the construction process, such as recycling materials, using reusable resources, and implementing efficient waste management plans.

  • Provide separated dumpsters for the major recycled materials (metals, wallboard, cardboard, masonry) and designate a laborer to sort this trash into the appropriate containers.
  • Purchase materials specifying minimal packaging and require truckers to haul off major packaging materials at time of delivery. Also minimize truck idle time on site.

Reduced Job
Site Chemicals

Reducing job site chemicals in construction involves using alternative materials and methods to minimize or eliminate the use of harmful chemicals in construction processes and products, in order to improve worker safety, environmental sustainability, and overall health.

  • Maximize implementation of LEED guidelines to specify low-VOC materials.
  • Require pre-submittal MSDS sheets for any chemicals before they are brought to the site, with a statement of intent. This will prevent contractors from bringing random chemicals on site without proper notice or management, and will discourage use of chemicals that are not required for the installation process.
  • Implement a pre-fabrication program to assemble building components to the fullest extent off-site. This moves the use of many adhesive and finish chemicals to a controlled, ventilated shop environment, where they can be managed more effectively.
Sustainability

LEED
Projects

LEED Platinum Certified

  • Lenawee Intermediate School District - Center for a Sustainable Future

LEED GOLD CERTIFIED

  • Madonna University - Franciscan Center for Science and Media
  • City of Ann Arbor - Municipal Center
  • Detroit Public Schools - East English Village Preparatory Academy
  • Ferris State University - Michigan College of Optometry
  • Johnson Controls
  • Battalion Headquarters
  • MSU Shaw Hall Renovations
  • Muskegon Community College Science Center
  • MSU Business College Edward J. Minskoff Graduate Pavilion

LEED SILVER CERTIFIED

  • University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business
  • Harborside Office Center
  • Washtenaw County - Public Safety and Justice Center
  • MSU Brody Hall Renovations
  • MSU Emmons Residence Hall
  • Michigan State Police Headquarters
  • Pipeline Dormitory - Wright Patterson AFB
  • Soldier Family Assistance Center
  • Training Support Center
  • Fort Custer - Army Reserve Center
  • Akron Naval & Marine Center
  • Physical Fitness Center
  • 10th Engineering Battalion - Fort Stewart
  • Child Development Centers - Fort Stewart
  • New Headquarters & In Processing Facility
  • Regular Army Working & Special Operation Forces Dog Facility
  • MSU Grand Rapids Research Center
  • John D. Dingell Transit Center
  • MSU Bioengineering Research Facility
  • CMU Biosciences
  • MSU Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building
  • EMU Strong Hall

LEED CERTIFIED

  • IKEA Home Furnishings
  • CMU Student Events Center Renovations
  • MSU Bailey & Rather Halls Renovations