As more and more companies look for ways to reduce their impact on the environment and become more sustainable, they’re turning to the experts at Design Collaborative. “They’re interested in what they’re doing for the environment, what they’re doing for their community and what they can provide their staff,” explains electrical engineer Phillip Oprie. |
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Fort Financial Credit Union’s new corporate headquarters on Fort Wayne’s northwest side is one example of that. Among the environmentally friendly efforts involved in the project are electric vehicle charging stations that are available to the public, and rooftop solar panels. Engineers at Design Collaborative say they’re seeing a higher demand for both. |
When it comes to solar panels, Oprie says some companies are installing them at the time of construction or retrofitting an existing building. And while solar panels can help lower monthly energy costs, it’s not just about savings. “Some clients are really looking at the return on investment (ROI) for the long-term life of their facility, and some are looking at it more from the angle of showing others how they’re thinking about and are impacting our community,” Oprie says. “We have multiple clients that have said they want a dashboard or information graphics they can put in their lobby or on their employee portal, so people can see how much energy they’re saving or how much power the panels are producing.” |
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Electric vehicle charging stations are another initiative that appeals to both employees and customers. Director of Engineering, Kelsey Rowe, says many companies are investigating what it would take to either put chargers in now or to take steps so that they can easily be installed in the future, without huge upfront costs. |
Article featured in Business People Magazine.
“We make the building work. Our clients don’t even have to think about it.” In his time at Design Collaborative, Phillip has been part of teams that cover the vast range of project types DC specializes in. Phillip values the integrated approach at Design Collaborative, which means close collaboration with architects, project managers, and clients.…
“Every project is a new challenge and a new problem to solve, with really unique parameters. Because the parameters are the users—the people!” Kelsey is a leader in Design Collaborative’s Education Studio. DC’s in-house and in-studio engineering team allows the firm to provide cohesive solutions and a seamless experience. Kelsey is energized by DC’s commitment…