This 42 unit project is a hybrid living and emergency space co-developed by Projects for Pride in Living and Simpson Housing Services. The facility uses the first two floors for an emergency space, while the remaining floors are comprised of different sized units. These projects provide people exiting homeless an opportunity for security and safety.
Darcy Solutions integrated a two well geothermal system into this new supportive housing facility to ensure long-term operational affordability for tenants and ease of use for operational maintenance.
With a focus on long-term sustainability, Darcy groundwater enabled geothermal was chosen for its high-efficiency design and ability to be deployed effectively at the 2740 1st Av (Simpson) property, which other solutions would not be viable for. The equipment at the facility fits seamlessly into other elements of the built environment of the development and is easy to access for long term O&M.
Projects for Pride In Living builds housing projects that facilitate stable housing and job readiness for communities and the people who live in them. The Opportunity Crossing Project aimed to demonstrate that sustainability and financial logic go hand-in-hand for new developments.
The goals at this project are primarily oriented around creating a safe space for housing including studios and multi bedroom options, while including amenities like a community room, playground, underground parking, coworking spaces and much more. The ground floor of the location will provide a commercial space for different types of entrepreneurship and house a local bank.
Darcy Solutions deployed a 2-well, 240-ton geothermal system for this 110-unit mixed-use affordable housing development. The aquifer-based heat pump system provides a blueprint for decarbonizing dense urban residential projects.
The Darcy system stands out for its ability to deliver superior energy performance on restricted sites. This location had a small footprint for executing all construction activities and drilling. Groundwater enabled geothermal was the only realistic solution to electrify the HVAC system. Allowing stakeholders to secure a high-efficiency, sustainable solution that provides lasting value and supports future growth.
To drive long-term value, Pepper Construction Barrington prioritized a design that balances high performance with reduced operational expenses. This commitment to technical innovation allows the facility to achieve superior efficiency benchmarks while minimizing its environmental footprint.
As a major builder throughout the United States, Pepper often showcases their knowledge of different technologies across construction, including MEP designs. On this project they will take advantage of the Investment Tax Credit and lower energy costs for decades into the future, while being able to highlight the equipment which will be highly visible on the roadway approach to the office.
Darcy Solutions is installing a single well, 192-ton geothermal system for this leading construction firm’s own corporate facility which houses project teams and administration. The project serves as a showcase for high-performance building strategies in the Midwest. The choice of a Darcy system was driven by the need for a high-capacity thermal solution that could be installed effectively on the available site. It is also a solution that Pepper can educate their customers on and lead by example. Beyond the immediate energy savings, the system offers long-term reliability and adaptability, ensuring facility remains efficient for decades to come.
This project is slated for drilling to begin in the Spring of 2026 and commission in Q3. Check back for more information and project construction imagery soon!
Efficiency and cost-effectiveness were the cornerstones of the design phase for the beautiful new Lakewood Cemetery Visitor Center. By prioritizing innovative energy systems, the developers secured a low total cost of ownership and a high-performance building environment for a new facility targeting net zero for operating emissions.
Serene and remarkable, Lakewood Cemetery has provided visitors a place of solace for over 150 years. Situated between Lakes Harriet and Bde Maka Ska, the landmark cemetery houses multiple facilities for welcoming guests and offering funeral services in addition to expansive grounds for visitation and reflection.
Lakewood has embraced a progressive approach to sustainable operations with a geothermal system that subtly blends in with the awe-inspiring architecture and natural environment of the area.
Constructed in 2022, the system uses two 12″ diameter wells combined with a central heat pump to provide thermal comfort throughout all seasons of the year.
Darcy Solutions often discusses and shares project decision making concepts on projects from our customers when available. Below find additional information from Chris Makowske, President of Lakewood Cemetery on their decision making process for the facility and impacts of those choices:
What were the driving factors for Lakewood to choose geothermal?
We chose to pursue a net-zero energy certification for our new Welcome Center because greater sustainability is a goal we’re striving to achieve at Lakewood. Stewardship is one of Lakewood’s core values, and that includes stewardship of the grounds. Geothermal, as part of a net-zero energy building, is part of a broader sustainability strategy that includes preserving our urban tree canopy and moving toward more sustainable landscaping. The design teams we worked with recommended geothermal, among other strategies, to help us achieve the net-zero energy goal for the building.
What impact does this Sustainability have on the different stakeholders associated with the facility?
Many of our customers, neighbors, staff, and leadership care deeply about the natural environment and sustainable practices. It’s important that we honor that by making sustainable choices that support our environment.
Do you intend to capture the Investment Tax Credit for the facility?
Yes, we plan on pursuing the Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
Are there any other notable pieces of information you would want to share?
Using the Darcy well system also helped us preserve precious space that can be used for memorialization in the future. Traditional wells would have taken up a much broader field and limited future memorialization options for those we serve.
JE Dunn was the main contractor overseeing the project.
Darcy Solutions completed a retrofit of the Renewable Energy Partners (REP) training facility, installing a one-well, 95-ton geothermal system to provide year-round heating and cooling as part of a building wide retrofit in 2022. This site integrates groundwater-based heat exchange with a rooftop solar array and energy storage to demonstrate a fully decarbonized HVAC solution for workforce development.
The choice of a Darcy system was driven by the need for a high-capacity thermal solution that could be installed effectively on the available site, which was limited to the West parking lot when the Southern and Eastern borders were chosen against. The retrofit included significant updates to building equipment and temperature controls to modernize operations for use. Beyond the immediate energy savings of geothermal equipment, the system offers long-term reliability and adaptability, ensuring the 1200 Plymouth facility remains efficient and able to house new energy construction professionals for decades to come.
The Local 455 has been building MEP systems for decades on decades, initially established in 1904. Their teams have served as the starting point for public and private construction projects using all kinds of technology. In late 2018 they began considering new technologies to retrofit their building in St. Paul, Minnesota. The primary objectives for Pipefitters focused on maximizing energy efficiency, eliminating rooftop units, and continuing to expand the industrial knowledge for training purposes. Embracing new technologies was important for the organization as it keeps their educational efforts up to date and provides important mechanical requirements for a novel system type like groundwater enabled geothermal with chilled beams.
This first of a kind implementation includes three bedrock wells and one surficial. Darcy Solutions was selected because its unique groundwater geothermal technology offers exceptional energy efficiency within a compact footprint, making it ideal for limiting impact to the parking lot and allowing the roof to be cleared for a solar array. That approach expedited the timeframe for procurement, construction, and commissioning. Since installation the location has served as a hot spot for ongoing project visits and educational tours for local news and organizations interested in sustainable heating and cooling.
