MSR Design
MINNEAPOLIS, MN | 13,737 SQ FT | OFFICE
Architecture firm improves indoor air quality.
AWARD EARNED: LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE MATERIALS PETAL
CHALLENGE:
MSR Design is an architecture firm based in Minneapolis that specializes in sustainable, equitable, healthy and beautiful projects across the U.S.
Before installing Airoverse, MSR Design was headquartered in a St. Paul building that sparked significant occupant complaints about poor indoor air quality (IAQ) and noise levels. After running a series of IAQ tests, the firm discovered they had excessive volatile organic compound (VOC) levels and other IAQ issues. The firm needed its headquarters to fit the health and wellness standards their architects strive to achieve in their own projects, so they decided to move locations and build a space of their own.
MSR Design planned for its new space to fulfill the Living Building Challenge (LBC) Materials Petal, a deep certification for healthy, sustainable buildings. The firm needed building controls that would maintain exceptional IAQ and help them qualify for the LBC challenge.
SOLUTION:
MSR Design’s new headquarters is located on the second floor of an 11-story office building in downtown Minneapolis. Airoverse installed 11 Smart Nodes, two Central Control Units, a series of sensors, and one Smart Stat to monitor and enhance IAQ.
During the renovation process of the office suite, MSR Design utilized Airoverse sensors to verify IAQ in the space. Because of this, their team discovered that CO2 was back-drafting into the office in the early hours of the morning, well after the main building’s system had shut down. This issue affected all other floors of the building but was thus far undetected because the main building did not have a building management system (BMS) in place.
MSR Design was able to act as the data liaison by showing the information and alerts from Airoverse to the main building operators so they could correct the issue.
"Occupant feedback was fantastic. The first day we moved in, everyone was amazed at how quiet the space was. They said when they opened the door, they could actually feel the difference in the air quality compared to the outside environment"
– RHYS MACPHERSON / SENIOR ASSOCIATE
RESULTS:
After completing their Airoverse installation, MSR Design achieved a Living Building Challenge Materials Petal certification. Their office is the first to do this in the state of Minnesota. Occupant complaints regarding IAQ and comfort in the MSR Design office have virtually disappeared, and guests frequently point out the unique quietness and breathability in the space.
Thanks to Airoverse’s IoT-based monitoring and control capabilities, building operators have been able to catch and fix issues such as broken windows letting in cold air during unoccupied hours.
THE LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE MATERIALS PETAL
The International Living Institute’s Living Building Challenge is widely considered to be one of the deepest wellness and sustainability certification programs available today. It celebrates buildings that are self-sufficient, connect occupants to light, air, food, nature, and community, and create a positive impact on the human and natural systems that interact with them. The Materials Petal specifically focuses on non-toxic, ecologically restorative, transparent, and socially equitable materials.
In order to achieve this certification, MSR Design had to work closely with all their suppliers to disclose Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) information such as materials, material tracking, costs, and other accountability information to the International Living Institute.