Building Solutions with Blue Print!

with space control measures. In an instance where a patio door is left open when the Air Conditioning is on, rather than the HVAC system drawing more energy to compensate for the extra heat in the room, the system will automatically shut off until the external issue is

Blue Print Management is an architectural and project management firm here in Barbados, that specializes in problem prevention and organization. We are a team of qualified, passionate professionals who utilize our understanding of the construction industry to foresee possible problems, and prevent them, saving time and money for our clients. When working on projects, we always ensure that we are complying with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) requirements. LEED is the internationally known rating system for sustainable and environmentally sound buildings, as well as the globally recognised green building rating system.

When designing any building, light is always one of our first considerations. There are numerous studies that highlight the benefits of natural light; therefore, we use the largest windows possible to let in the greatest amount of natural light. While natural light has a cut-off point, artificial light does not, and to prevent a situation where someone accidently leaves a light on overnight, we utilize indoor motion sensor lighting. After 15 minutes of inactivity in a room, these lights automatically shut off to conserve energy.

Determining the optimal location for highly efficient Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems is another major consideration in all our projects. It will be an important cost to the project but also to the operation cost of the building/house. We therefore try to select an energy efficient system with sensors. These sensors automatically send shut off signals once a lack of movement in a room is detected over a certain period of time. The HVAC systems are also equipped

One recommendation to our homeowner clients, which falls into the green building category, is solar panels. Solar panels divert direct sunlight from the roof of a building, and this works to reduce the temperature inside a building while converting the sun’s rays into usable energy for the property. Moving on from energy, we also source various environmentally friendly plumbing fixtures to ensure our clients’ satisfaction. A few of these plumbing fixtures are taps, shower heads and toilets that are efficient, but use very little water. As Barbados is a water scarce country, we are very conscious of the types of products we suggest. Moreover, we encourage our clients to use rainwater for irrigation and landscaping.

Another green building practice that we recommend constantly is the use of low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). VOCs are chemicals that release harmful gasses that build up in the atmosphere, negatively affect the air quality, and harm people and the environment. As VOCs are usually found in paints, flooring, and furniture, we work with our clients to find suitable, low VOC options to reduce the possibility of them suffering adverse effects, as well as limiting the overall impact on the environment.

Blue Print Management also specializes in property renovations. During these renovations we emphasize waste minimization, recycling and repurposing. For recycling and repurposing, we examine the state and quality of the used construction materials and determine whether they are suitable for repurposing. If these materials meet the required standard, we utilize them in the renovation rather than discard them. Based on years of experience, there will always be materials in a renovation that can be reused, and at times, the most that material will need is a touch up or refresh of its finishes.

Looking to start your own project? Make Blue Print Management your project management firm today!