Silver is Golden at Artistry

Artistry is now the first Milhaus development to receive a “LEED Silver” certification, a rating system established by the U.S. Green Building Council to foster sustainable building practices.

Once an abandoned bank operations center, Artistry has been creatively revitalized into a five-story mixed use development with apartment homes as well as retail/office space in the Market East district of downtown Indianapolis. The transformative construction project began with reusing the existing two-story concrete and steel skeleton to serve as the foundation of Artistry.

While this re-use meant much less materials going into the landfill, it also led to some complexities. “We had to go through the entire building and meticulously scan every floor, wall and ceiling so we would know where to drill holes for plumbing, wiring, building mechanics, elevator shafts and doorways,” said Greg McHenry, Director of Development, Milhaus. “It was a very time-consuming, surgical process, but very worth it.”

Reusing the existing structure also proved difficult to properly air-seal to the required LEED standards. However, careful attention to detail allowed the units to meet the standards and achieve improved insulation and energy savings. The energy savings is passed down to residents, who are also living a more sustainable lifestyle just by the location and design of Artistry. They are closer to community amenities and jobs, meaning less reliance on cars.

Residents also enjoy several green features not normally found in downtown homes including recycling, a smoke-free community and live greenery throughout the building. There are also energy-efficient light bulbs, appliances and water systems.

A few of the LEED Initiatives for Artistry:

• Infill location
• Brownfield redevelopment
• Proximity to transit
• Use of native plant material to reduce shipping emissions and encourage plant sustainability
• Bicycle storage
• Average flow rate for showers - 1.75 gpm – save up to 1,500 gallons per year per person
• Energy Star appliances that save up to $80 a year in energy costs compared to standard appliances (10% – 50% less energy consumption)