Stearns Associates LLC
Stearns Associates LLC
Sustainable Design
Qualifications
Land
Planning
Landscape
Architecture
Real Estate
Due Diligence
Stearns Associates LLC
PO Box T
12 Seabrook Road
Stockton, NJ 08559-0993
609-397-1880 x 203
Fax 609-397-0899
www.stearnsassociates.com
http://www.stearnsassociates.com/
Stearns Associates LLC
Sustainable Design
Sustainable Design
Tom Stearns as many landscape architects has been practicing sustainable
design for the last 30 years and has advocated sustainable design for the
owner and the design team. In the beginning of his career in the mid 1970’s
he was pursuing a masters landscape architecture with a focus on
alternative and renewable energy and architecture at Ball State University.
His studies focused on wind, solar and underground applications for single
family homes, but did not complete his studies.
His sustainable approach has typically included conducting a site analysis on
a project site to identify and preserve environmentally sensitive portions of a
site, and in detailed design solutions such as using low impact development
techniques to using recyclable materials such as stone and concrete pavers
to using native plant species.
Stearns Associates LLC recognizes our opportunity and responsibility to
contribute to sustainable design awareness and implementation. We have
worked toward integrating sustainability into our practice by providing
sustainable design for our projects. We are conversant in the history and
theory of sustainability. Stearns Associates continues our commitment to
“Green Design” by educating our staff on the latest sustainable building
practices, such as Green Roofs and low impact development and we will
continue to research new Green Building technologies and educate our
clients on the benefits of sustainable design.
Most recently Stearns Associates LLC has focused on best management
practices for storm water runoff. We have been involved in designing
constructed wetlands, rain gardens and bio retention for storm water
detention facilities working in conjunction with civil engineers. We are
currently working on some corporate and institutional projects that are
pursuing LEED Certification, and has worked on integrated design teams to
think and work across disciplines on sustainable solutions.
Many of Stearns Associates LLC recent projects have been on urban infill,
Brownfield and redevelopment sites versus green field sites. Some have
involved adaptive reuse of existing buildings.
Stearns Associates LLC
LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Stearns Associates LLC is corporate member of the United States Green Building Council
(USGBC). We are also members of the New Jersey Chapter and the Delaware Valley
Chapter (DVGBC) of the USGBC.
The U.S. Green Building Council's core purpose is to transform the way buildings and
communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially
responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.
LEED® Accredited Professional
Tom Stearns is a LEED® Accredited Professional (LEED® AP). based on LEED NC Version
2.2.
He has additioanlly taken two classes thru the DVGBC at University of Pennsylvania that
review the New Construction version 2.2 of LEED.
This course provides a standard for professionals participating in the design and
construction phases of high performance, healthful, durable, affordable and
environmentally sound commercial, institutional and high-rise residential buildings.
LEED Accredited Professionals facilitate the LEED certification process and help building,
project, and property owners achieve their performance goals. LEED Professional
Accreditation establishes a critical link between LEED standards and professional practice.
Tom also served briefly on the DVGBC Educaton Committee in 2007.
Tom has recently attended seminars on LEED for Neightborhood Development (LEED ND)
and is familiar with the LEED ND criteria.
Stearns Associates LLC
LEED
What is LEED®
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building
Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design,
construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives
building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and
measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-
building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key
areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development,
water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental
quality.
LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing
high-performance, sustainable buildings. USGBC's members, representing
every sector of the building industry, developed and continue to refine LEED.
LEED addresses all building types including new construction, commercial
interiors, core & shell, operations & maintenance, homes, neighborhoods, and
specific applications such as retail, multiple buildings/campuses, schools,
healthcare, laboratories and lodging.
LEED Projects
Rider University, West Village Student Apartments, LEED Silver (anticipated)
Burlington County College, Culinary Arts Center, LEED Silver (anticipated)
The Lawrenceville School, Health & Wellness Center, LEED Silver
(anticipated)
The Lawrenceville School, Carter House – Girls Residence Dorms, LEED
Silver (anticipated)
Stearns Associates LLC
Sustainable Design Solutions
Sustainable aspects on various projects include:
Adaptive reuse of existing buildings (Waxwood & Moore Street)
Low maintenance water efficient landscape with native plants (Many Projects)
Use of captured rainwater for irrigation supply (BMS/RCN)
Reduced heat island effect with Intensive Green Roofs (Palmer Square)
People places, parks & plazas (Palmer Square)
Reduced site disturbance with Habitat Preservation & open space protection
(UMCP and Coventry Farm)
Reduced heat island effect with vegetated pavements and low solar reflecting paving
(Palmer Square)
Implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP’s) for Storm water management
working with civil engineers:
Bio-swales as part of storm water management (BMS New Brunswick)
Constructed wetlands in storm water detention basins (Montage & Rosecliff)
Rain gardens as part of storm water management (Rosecliff)
Rainwater collection cisterns for groundwater recharge (Montage)
Riparian restoration (Honda of Princeton)
Alternative transportation with Bicycle storage (BMS/RCN)
Native stone and other local & regional materials (most projects)
Reuse of materials (Brick pavers from Kansas City Stockyards for pedestrian pavers on
Sprint Campus)
Stearns Associates LLC
Stormwater Best Management Practices
Stormwater and Best Management Practices
Tom Stearns is familiar with the The New Jersey Stormwater Best Management Practices
Manual (BMP manual) and has recently designed the landscape for a constructed
wetlands, bio-retention system and infiltration basin with Van Note-Harvey Associates PC.
Mr. Stearns is familiar with Chapter 7 Landscaping of the BMP, which provides
information on vegetation and landscaping for stormwater management measures, as
well as the particulars in Chapter 9 dealing with each particular management measure.
Mr. Stearns has also attended numerous seminars dealing with the new regulations by
NJDEP and the Best Management Practices Manual.
Tom Stearns has a 20 year working relationship with Van Note-Harvey Associates. He
has worked with them on a number of corporate office as well as other projects types in
Mercer County and Central New Jersey.
Mr. Stearns has worked on the following BMP projects with Van Note-Harvey Associates:
Pine River Village, Lakewood, NJ - Infiltration Basin.
Cedarbridge Office , Lakewood, NJ – Infiltration Basin
Bristol-Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, NJ - Bio-retention
Sharbell Development, Hamilton, NJ – Constructed Wetlands, & cisterns for roof
runoff
Rosecliff Independent Living , Lawrenceville, NJ - Constructed Wetlands and rain
gardens.
Gillespie Office , West Windsor, NJ - Constructed Wetlands.
Health & Wellness Center, The Lawrenceville School (Rain Garden)
Stearns Associates LLC
Green Roof Experience
Green Roofs
Tom Stearns is a member of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the green roof industry
association.
Tom has taken the two design courses for Green Roofs including: Green Roof Design 101,
and Green Roof Infrastructure 201, which focuses on design and installation.
Stearns Associates has been working on an urban infill project with an intensive green
roof as part of the connecting courtyard network of the project. Palmer Square is 100
units of luxury market-rate housing built as part of mixed use development over an
existing parking structure.
Green Roof Experience
