By Dan R. Goddard

The first new building in San Antonio vying for LEED Platinum status, Eagle Veterinary Hospital has made innovative use of multiple green technologies, including a water reclamation system that gathers both rainwater and air conditioner condensation, building with recycled construction materials and employing energy-efficient natural light throughout the $2.3 million facility in Olmos Park.

“The building is working great,” Dr. Kenneth  Kirlin, owner and veterinarian, says. “But we’re glad that the recycled water system includes AC condensation, which has really made up for the lack of rain since we opened last fall. Currently, my SAWS bill is running less than $20 a month.”

The two-story, 10,558-square-foot building resembles a large, modern barn with inverted canopies designed to catch the maximum amount of rainwater. Both the condensate and rainwater are stored in a series of three silver metal 3,400-gallon tanks at the right side of the building resembling grain silos.

“The rain we had in May filled all three tanks,” Kirlin notes. “But the condensate has proven to be enough to supply our daily water needs. “Clients, staff and the animals all seem to get a good feeling from being in a building that is mostly lit by sunlight,” Kirlin says.

“Early on, people were asking me why we were putting in all the glass, but it was done in such a way that we’ve been able to greatly reduce our use of artificial lighting,” Kirlin says. “Studies have shown that animals do better and heal faster in natural light. Instead of the typical dark, foreboding animal hospital, this building is bright and airy. It just makes you feel good, and when the staff feels good, we all do a better job.”

Doubled-paned windows coated with UV protection provide most of the natural light, while solar tubes are used in some areas. Compact fluorescents are used along with LED lights in the operating rooms, and motion-detector switches turn off the lights when not in use.

Project manager and principal designer Cesar Garcia of Mdn Architects says the design approach encouraged synergy between environmentally friendly systems and the everyday functionality of the medical facility.

“Collaboration between the owner, local utility companies, designers, engineers and construction managers was crucial in order to ensure that all energy concerns were addressed appropriately,” Garcia says. “Overall, I think the project exceeded our expectations. We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback, not only on the energy-saving technologies, but also on the aesthetics of the building. We tried to be practical, but this isn’t the Taj Mahal. However, it’s a good-looking and extremely energy-efficient building.”

Solar panels attached to the metal roof generate 30 percent of the hospital’s energy. The $125,000 cost of this innovative system was offset by a $58,887 rebate from CPS Energy. The hospital also applied for the CPS New Commercial Construction Rebate and ranked at the highest tier of the program’s scale, receiving an additional $20,127. Overall energy savings are estimated to be 47 percent compared to a conventional building.

DAN R. GODDARD is a San Antonio freelance writer.