Business & Tech

Quonset Air Traffic Control Tower gets LEED Certification

The tower has been awarded LEED Silver Certification thanks to its innovative design and approximately 40-percent energy savings.

The air traffic control tower at Quonset State Airport in North Kingstown is a key part of keeping the airport functioning smoothly and safely.

According to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, it's also a key component in the state's efforts to cut energy usage and waste.

The tower has been awarded LEED Silver Certification thanks to its innovative design and approximately 40-percent energy savings.

In a release, Martin Durney, manager of the architecture, construction and environmental consulting firm Burns & McDonnell, said the company is proud to have played a role in the engineering and design of the facility.

The tower "is critical for the RI National Guard, serves as a focal point at the base, and now meets this prestigious level of certification for energy efficiency,” Durney said.

The energy efficient design utilized a life cycle cost/building energy model analysis that guided the selection of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical components aimed at achieving optimal energy conservation, while also constructing with environmentally friendly materials.  All of the building energy systems are easily adjusted by air traffic controllers without leaving the control cab.  In addition, the tower design complies with Anti-Terrorist / Force Protection requirements.

“With each new LEED-certified building, we get one step closer to USGBC’s vision of a sustainable built environment within a generation,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “As the newest member of the LEED family of green buildings, Quonset State Airport’s air traffic control tower is an important addition to the growing strength of the green building movement.”

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The state-of-the-art tower is 98’-5’ and provides capability for not only the military aircraft that fly in and out of Quonset State Airport, but also for the civilian air traffic. The facility replaced a tower that was built in 1941 and stood only about 50 feet tall.

“We wanted a facility that was designed and operated in a way that was environmentally smart,   delivered continued cost savings through energy efficiency and met our mission needs,” said Colonel Arthur Floru, 143d Airlift Wing Commander.   “We are honored to be awarded with this mark of excellence.  Our military and civilian team of professionals dedicated a great deal of hard work towards this effort, so to be recognized in this fashion is very exciting.” 

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The tower, constructed by Cutter Enterprises of Tolland, CT, is comprised of a steel super-structure with 6” thick precast concrete panels.  While Burns & McDonnell secured the necessary design-related LEED credits, Consulting Engineering Services of Middletown, CT, worked with Cutter to ensure achievement of the construction-related LEED credits.  The ATCT exterior materials and design are compatible with the base’s architectural standards and conform to the latest Air National Guard design requirements. 

Over 100,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED rating systems, comprising of over 8 billion square-feet of construction space in all 50 states and 114 countries. 


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