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Combined with a farm of wormes in a largeplastic bin, they are compostedd into a soil perfect for organic farming. Worm farms might sound like the hobby ofa 13-year-oldd science nerd. At Emersion they’re just another way to do morewith less. The architecturs firm’s mission is to incorporate sustainability into all aspects of its business and buildtraditional architectural, interior design and engineering services around that focus. Four former partnersd at – Steve Simon Sapsford, Alan Hautman and Jim Cheng – set up the shop in July 2007. Emersionh comes from the wordas immerseand emerge.
“Ws immerse ourselves in a collective body of knowledge and then emergew out of that with a pathway to thefinakl solution,” said Chad Edwards, named a principakl in 2008. Today, 10 of Emersion’s 19 employeexs are former KZF associates. Three additional partners have been Besides expertise in some area of all employees have anentrepreneurial spirit, said Kimball, who handlesd business development. Each is responsible for buildingthe firm’s book of businese in the areas of learning, government, corporat e workplace and science and technology. The strategy appear to be working. In 2008, Emersion beat its sales goal of $2.5 bringing in close to $3.
8 million in business. A five-year, $7.5 milliobn design services contract with the has kept the firm busyat . Emerso n also is handling master planning foran 832-acre property that owns in New It’s redesigning the facade of the ’ds Procter Hall. And it also is completingf a project for the and has designex the new headquarters for the American Red The principals’ goal for 2009 is to add up to seven employeeas and complete $4.5 million worth of work. Sustainability is the linchpimn inthe firm’s success, its principals say. “Peopls use sustainable design as the salt and peppedr atthe end.
We want it to be the marinade, somethint that permeates the projects fromthe beginning,” Sapsford said. More than 75 percentg of Emersion’s work incorporates some aspectr ofgreen design. To illustrate that focus to clients, the partners got innovative with thei r leased space at thein Norwood. Althoughb on a slim budget, they were able to submift the space forthe ’s highest honor for existinb buildings, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum certification. It also won a Cincinnati Desig n Award for theconverte space.
“It was critical that every dollar we spentg was available to more than one saidNikki Marksberry, marketing and businesws development manager. Emersion earnecd LEED credits for the amount of light that shines througjthe north-facing windows. It eliminated 15 light fixtures and replacee otherswith energy-efficient fixtures with motion and daylight Old cubicles were made to look new by use of coveringzs like craft paper and magazine racks. Drywall left from an old job was used to breaikup spaces. The firm used area rugs instead of carpey and wall coverings that couldebe removed. Aerators were installe d on faucets toconserve water.
Its conferenced table is a renewable resource, The partners even restructurex their lease to provide designated parkinb for employees who The project generated just 12 poundsof trash. “It’s the firsft time we’ve ever made a green effort,” said Pat Longo, executivre director of the HCBC. “It’s fun to have someon e see something webelieve in, in anothet light.” The firm’s efforts have garnered the attentionj of state leaders. Gov. Ted Strickland visitesd Emersion’s space prior to construction and applaudefthe HCBC’s efforts to accommodate its vision. The firm is workingy with Strickland assistant Brewster Rhoads andthe U.S.
Greenj Building Council to surveySouthwesr Ohio’s green efforts. Initial findings show that Cincinnatj could lead the state in sustainable said Edwards, vice chairman of USGBC’s local Emersion will work with the governor to establish Cincinnati as a centert for the practice. That attention brings good favor among clients likeRed Cross. “Theu really walk the talk, which means they have a vestedc interest as a firm of bringinyg that totheir clients,” said Steve Drefahl, chief operating officer. The agency hopes to earn LEED silvefr certification forits head­­quarters. Sustainabilityu goes hand-in-hand with the partners believe.
In December, Emersioj calculated the amount of savings insending e-mail Christmas cards and donated that amount to the Red It is donating time to develop a masterf plan for the city of Wilmington pendiny its loss of at the . Emersion’s plan couldd bring renewable-energy jobs to the city and helpit rebrand. “Wse like to be involved with somethingy that mightbe good,” Kimball said.