Sustainable Projects

James Heimler, Architect, Inc. is a general practice architectural firm, in business since 1985, advancing our client’s and our company’s interests by providing quality and timely architectural, master planning and space planning services. Our goals are to design for an environmentally sustainable future with passive solar homes, energy efficient office buildings and earth friendly building materials. We work diligently in order to meet all customer needs. JHAI is involved in over 100 projects a year with approximately 30 commercial in nature, with many of these Green, if not LEED certified. One of our largest achievements is the implementation of sustainable materials.

Example 1: 2007 - The building remodel for Easton Bell Sports corporate headquarters in Van Nuys would incorporate post industrial and post consumer materials such as: fly ash as an aggregate; ceiling tiles; plumbing fixtures; doors; work stations; fabrics; glass; metals; and harvested wood. The use of natural lighting and high rating insulation would lower energy consumption, and on-site recycling and use of regional materials would reduce environmental impacts. The over-all post consumer content considered amounted to 80% of all materials needed. The conference room also had a multi-use function as it converted to an ice rink.

Example 2: 2007 - A remodel and addition to a single family residence in the hills of Pasadenawill include sustainable concepts like: the use of flash water heaters; photovoltaic panels; and a Green roof to minimize heat gain. The design utilized angular exterior walls, large overhangs and trellises to minimize sun exposure and heat gain to the building. Ponds and waterfalls were located on the West side of the house to provide passive solar cooling. Roof rainwater and grey water are collected and reused for irrigation purposes. The inside air temperature is regulated by bringing cool air in through an underground air supply which flows up through the house to a cooling chimney located at the top of the stair tower where the hot air is vented to the exterior of the building.

Example 3: 2007 - Family Products tenant improvement project is a 50,000 square foot, 2 story, commercial building. The building will have a reflective roof coating; HVAC units with high energy efficiency; vertical ductwork to the floor for low air circulation; denim insulation; energy efficient light fixtures with motion sensors; and recycled furniture.

Example 4: 2007 - An existing commercial warehouse in Inglewood is to be converted into a Green catering kitchen. The improvements include: energy efficient, high sear mechanical system with energy management control systems; 100% recycled reflective cool roof; exterior paint has low VOC’s and interior has none; cistern to collect rainwater in order to be reused to supplement herb garden; dual domed skylights; soy based spray in foam insulation and reused of existing stud walls with paperless drywall for future interior design layouts, plumbing for less maintenance; and recycled lockers for employee use.

Example 5: 2004 - A passive/active solar home was designed in the hills of Malibu. Design concepts in use include: two separate Grey water systems for water reclamation, the use of a hydronic floor temperature control system utilizing photovoltaic or solar panels, greenhouse/inside tunnel temperature controlled air which is piped into the residence. Angular shapes and canopy design works to control sea breezes.

Example 6: In 2003, the Heimler home was remodel and given an addition. Over 12 years, solar panels, energy efficient appliances and lighting, and a tankless water heater with circulating pump were installed. Outside, a smart irrigation system and a deck made of recycled wood. Recycled materials were used for the concrete foundation, nails, and steel framing.

Example 7: In 2001, a new ACF Corporation Office Building over subterranean parking was designed. It integrates passive and active energy effiency technology, state of the art water features, lighting, atmospheric separation, reflective surfaces, double flush water closets, waterless urinals, reflective roof surfaces and photovoltaic roof arrays to name a few. Earth friendly building materials used included locally mined slate flooring, woods from certified forests, recycled drywall products and rubber sports floor, and natural materials for wall coverings.

Example 8: In 1997, a proposed development of an Environmental Research Facility for UCLA/Stunt Ranch located in the Santa Monica Mountains was designed. This project incorporates a passive heating and cooling system with back up high efficiency pellet burning stoves/fireplaces. There is a Grey water system collecting roof rain and storing it; solar connectors with the on-site reservoir used as a heat and thermal storage system; on-site trash recycling; and photovoltaic, shingle roofing.

Example 9: In 1994, a new mixed-use retail office building replaced a similar building damaged by fire from the Los Angeles, January 17, 1994, earthquake. Accolades from LADWP were received for the building's energy saving design and use of energy efficient products. They stated, The Scotty Building is one of the most noteworthy projects included in our recent ‘Design Advantage,’ new construction program. The shading and daylight features are not only important aesthetic additions to the building architecture, but also creative, energy saving items. The design included high efficiency, heat-mirror glazing for the second floor; efficient lighting for the second floor offices and corridor, day lighting controls for the second floor corridor, and efficient, package air conditioning and the advanced building control system that added to the efficiency and flexibility of operation.

James Heimler also promotes sustainable projects in the media:

1. Articles in Topics: A Magazine for the Building Professionals on Sustainable Roofing have been written by James three times on sustainable roofing issues

2. At the Green School Summit for LAUSD, James gave a lecture

3. His residence appeared in the Winter 2006 Ecolution bulletin and aired on Channel 4 News

4. He was a guest speaker on Designing Your Future and Good Buy? on Sky Link TVspeaking on how JHAI implements sustainable concepts into it’s projects

5. July 27, 2006, the Daily News used James as an expert source for an article entitled "Blame us, too, for city warming" offering solutions to the rising temperatures in most major cities

6. He wrote a column entitled "Sustainable Concepts" for Architect 2 Architect

7. HGTV "How Much Is My House Worth?" there's something new here

8. JHAI teamed up with Affirmative Color’s design on "Hoppe House" for HGTV (Home and Garden TV)

9. In 2008 James gave a lecture at Smith and Barney on how to begin the process of Greening all schools and how imperative that it happen sooner than too late

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