Sherman Carter Barnhart Green Mission Statement

"All Sherman Carter Barnhart’s projects are guided by a high performance building philosophy. Through our integrated green design, we create innovative, sustainable design solutions. As good stewards of the environment, we design buildings to meet our clients' needs while focusing on the goals of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility."

As members of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and with 29 LEED Accredited Professionals on staff, Sherman Carter Barnhart can answer your questions about green and sustainable design. Our LEED AP's include architects, landscape architects, civil engineers, interior designers, and construction administrators. Whether or not you choose to register and pursue LEED credits, each of our project teams include LEED AP’s that are knowledgeable about and work with each client regarding the best way to achieve your sustainable goals.

Net Zero Schools

Sherman Carter Barnhart has designed the nation’s first total energy Net Zero public school, Richardsville Elementary, located in Warren County (Bowling Green, KY). To achieve Net Zero, Sherman Carter Barnhart aggressively examined all possible avenues and identified 6 major areas to reduce energy usage. These include:

1. High Performance Building Envelope
2. Active Daylighting
3. Geothermal HVAC
4. Alternate Renewable Energy Source - Photovoltaic Array Supplying over 300kw of power
5. Efficient Kitchen Cooking Strategies
6. Operations and Maintenance Plan

Realizing not all schools have the resources available for alternative renewal energy sources, Sherman Carter Barnhart has also created a net zero achievable/solar ready design for schools. The first school, Bristow Elementary, now open and New Elrod Road Elementary, opening August 2011; both in Warren County, include the solar panel infrastructure that will allow the photovoltaic array to be easily added in the future, thereby, one day achieving Net Zero Energy.

Leadership In Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

Presently, Sherman Carter Barnhart has designed more than 10 projects pursuing LEED certification. This includes the first two public housing projects in Kentucky to pursue LEED for Homes Certification:

• Jefferson Street Homes, Lexington
• HC Mathis Homes, Paducah

Energy Star Projects

Sherman Carter Barnhart designed the first four energy star projects awarded in Kentucky, and now has 29 projects displaying the ENERGY STAR or Design to Earn ENERGY STAR certification.

Energy Efficiency Leader

• Plano Elementary School, in Warren County, is the most energy efficient school in operation in Kentucky. Now entering its third year of service, the facility uses only 28 KBTU’s per square foot annually. (The average American school in this region of the country will use 73 KBTU’s per square foot annually.)
•  Furthermore, 5 of the top 7 most energy efficient schools in operation, in Kentucky, are designed by Sherman Carter Barnhart. They include:

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honored Sherman Carter Barnhart with the Energy Star Leadership in Housing Award, for having designed 433 units of Energy Star homes at Liberty Green Housing Development, Louisville Metro Housing Authority, KY.  

Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Projects

The ICF system provides increased building envelope insulation, quick erection, and significant storm resistance, all in one integrated building system. Sherman Carter Barnhart has designed:

• The first public school in Kentucky utilizing insulated concrete form technology
• Largest ICF Facility in United States - South Warren Middle School / High School is the  largest ICF designed facility in North America, totaling 336,000 square feet, and features ICF construction for not only the exterior building envelope, but also the interior load bearing walls.
• The first public library in Kentucky
• Over 15 projects featuring this building technology