Trenton-based architectural company recognized for going green

TRENTON — The environmentally friendly practice of going green seems to be everywhere — green cars, green houses, green food, green clothes — and a city-based architectural firm is working to grow the trend even further, revamping schools with an emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency.

Ensuring that heating and cooling systems exceed minimum code requirements, using energy efficient and sensor-controlled lighting, installing large windows to eliminate the need for excess artificial lighting and using renewable sources like bamboo are just some of the energy efficient considerations Spiezle Architectural Group uses in a design project, according to director of marketing Brian Duke.

“We always look to make a more efficient building because it’s better for the client and it’s better for the industry,” he said.

Because of work like this with schools across the state, Spiezle received an honorable mention in the 2014 Above and Beyond awards selection in June from the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials. The award is given to companies that go above and beyond in their work with school districts, according to the organization’s website, and although Spiezle did not win the award, it received considerable nominations by business administrators.

In Mercer County, Spiezle has worked with The Hun School in Princeton and Princeton and Robbinsville public schools on additions and renovations

In Princeton at John Witherspoon Middle School, in addition to refurbishing the practice fields, renovating classrooms and replacing doors, roofs and windows, Spiezle repurposed the old gymnasium into a media center, or Learning Commons, equipped with a circular, open conference center with an overhead projector to display images and videos on the surrounding walls.

The room also includes tables, chairs, couches and rows of bookshelves, which Duke said is a “blending of traditional media sources with today’s technology seamlessly.”

“The media center turned out beautifully and that was designed partially by Spiezle and a library consultant which they contracted,” said Stephanie Kennedy, business administrator at Princeton Public Schools. “It was a great project.”

Spiezle is in the final phase of the nearly $11 million project in Princeton, which will include installing a large generator for the middle school.

Spiezle has also worked extensively in Robbinsville, building its high school and adding additions to its middle and elementary schools. A two-story addition that will add 27 classrooms to Sharon Elementary is slated to be completed by the end of the year, Duke said.

The company expressed pride in having received the award.

“We put a lot of hard work and effort into our clients and it’s nice to see that they recognize that extra effort,” said Steven Siegel, a senior associate and project manager at Spiezle who was also especially recognized at the ceremony. “We always try to provide additional support for our clients above and beyond what we would have to.”

While the NJASBO only takes into consideration companies’ work with grade schools, Spiezle has also worked with Mercer County Community College, The College of New Jersey and Rider and Princeton Universities.

Kelly Johnson may be reached at kjohnson@njtimes.com.