Swinerton Joins South Landing Energy Ecosystem with Innovative Pilot  

Overcast Innovations, Armstrong World Industries, Emerald Initiative and McKinstry to partner with Swinerton on deploying newly developed integrated ceiling systems.

Spokane, Wash – The innovative energy ecosystem at the South Landing development is expanding. Swinerton, an industry-leading national commercial general contractor, will be moving its Spokane presence to the fourth floor of the Scott Morris Center for Energy Innovation (Morris Center). The addition of Swinerton on the campus reflects the growing interest in collaborative research partnerships aimed at modernizing our built environment.  

The first collaborative effort with Swinerton joining the South Landing energy ecosystem is a novel approach to above-ceiling integration. Swinerton will be among the first to pilot new Modular Grid Platform (MGP) panels developed through a partnership between Overcast Innovations and Armstrong World Industries.

Overcast Innovations will provide fully configurable Cloud and Modular Grid Platform (MGP) assemblies to the space, along with Armstrong World Industries’ new Ultima® Templok® Energy Saving ceiling panels. Overcast’s assemblies allow for a perfectly designed network of MEP technologies and systems to be integrated into one product, preserving architectural design and intent for the space while guaranteeing a better way to ensure occupant comfort, wellness and productivity. Armstrong’s Ultima Templok panels utilize phase change material technology to passively cool and regulate indoor temperatures; capitalizing on the ceiling plane footprint to add lightweight thermal energy storage to the space.

“We are focused on creating top-of-the-line ceiling solutions possible for our clients,” says Robb Andrade, Managing Director of Overcast Innovations. “With the addition of Armstrong’s experience and expertise, we’re creating spaces that are changing not just how our buildings look, but how they operate as well.”

The building and tenants will see the additional benefits of greater Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) thanks to the new technologies. Designed to increase thermal comfort and reduce HVAC energy costs, as well as enhance acoustic performance, both Overcast and Armstrong products will work together to help improve the tenant spaces.

Swinerton will act as general contractor and tenant for the project. Overcast Innovations and Armstrong World Industries will provide the Cloud, MGP and energy saving ceiling assemblies. McKinstry will provide all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and technology integration. Emerald Initiative manages the South Landing development.

“Our move to the South Landing campus felt right after seeing the great work that has already been performed,” said Jeremiah Shakespeare, Inland Northwest Division Manager for Swinerton, “the chance to work with a team focused on moving our industry and communities into the future is something we didn’t want to miss out on.”

South Landing has become a “living laboratory” environment where new technologies and best practices are tested for their validity and positive impacts on end-users and the built environment. These spaces allow for a proof of concept to be established, an essential step for new approaches being tested to guarantee the legitimacy of the product or process.

“Our work in product innovation and commitment to decarbonization in the built environment align perfectly with McKinstry, Overcast, Emerald and Swinerton,” said Mark Hershey, Senior Vice President, Americas, Armstrong World Industries. “This project is one of many installations that substantiates the energy savings performance of Templok Ceilings, including the U.S. General Services Administration’s Green Proving Ground (GPG) program.”

“We are very excited to have an opportunity to bring together so many companies that share our vision and values,” said Ash Awad, Chief Market Officer and President at McKinstry. “While Emerald Initiative and Overcast have been major contributors to South Landing already, bringing in Swinerton and Armstrong World Industries highlights the great partnerships that come from prioritizing innovation.”

The tenant improvement project encompasses the entire top floor of the 40,000-square-foot Morris Center, which houses an all-electric central energy plant that powers the entire development. Construction is expected to be completed Q4 2024. 

About McKinstry

McKinstry is a national leader in designing, constructing, operating and maintaining high-performing buildings. From new construction and ongoing operations to adaptive reuse and energy retrofits, the company provides a single point of accountability across the entire building lifecycle. McKinstry focuses on people and outcomes to ensure the built environment serves owners, operators and occupants alike. For more information, please visit www.mckinstry.com.

About Swinerton

Swinerton provides commercial construction, construction management, design-build and self-performing services throughout the United States. Founded in 1888, Swinerton is 100% employee-owned and is the preferred builder and trusted partner in every market it serves – proudly leading with ownership, integrity, leadership, passion and excellence. Swinerton has 22 nationwide offices in Spokane and Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; Boise, ID; Sacramento, Fresno, Concord, San Francisco, Oakland, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, Santa Anna and San Diego, CA; Honolulu and Maui, HI; Denver, CO; Dallas and Austin, TX; Atlanta, GA; Charlotte and Raleigh, NC; and New York, NY. For more information, please visit www.swinerton.com.

About Emerald Initiative

Emerald Initiative envisions, develops, owns and operates commercial real estate and alternative energy infrastructure. We craft creative, technology-enhanced solutions that help our commercial, industrial and institutional clients be resilient in a quickly evolving world. Our boldly sustainable buildings provide a healthy home for our communities, and we focus on projects that make a difference to the people and neighborhoods that they serve. Emerald Initiative takes a long-term view to investing, and we proudly deliver financial returns that are enhanced by our environmental and community outcomes. For more information, please visit www.emeraldinitiative.com.

About Armstrong World Industries

Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI) is a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative ceiling and wall system solutions in the Americas. With $1.3 billion in revenue in 2023, AWI has approximately 3,500 employees and a manufacturing network of 19 facilities, plus seven facilities dedicated to its WAVE joint venture. For over 160 years, Armstrong has pursued innovation and manufacturing excellence to deliver products and services that can transform how people design, build, and experience spaces with aesthetics, acoustics, well-being, and sustainability in mind. For more information, please visit www.armstrongceilings.com.

About Overcast Innovations

Overcast Innovations is a McKinstry-owned subsidiary that liberates construction projects from productivity traps and systemic waste. Overcast’s products eliminate siloed design and installation practices, improve onsite field coordination and lower labor costs while enhancing overall aesthetic and operational quality. Clouds integrate mechanical HVAC, lighting, audiovisual, sensors, distributed antenna systems, smoke detectors and other above-ceiling equipment into factory-manufactured, plug-and-play architectural appliances. For more information, please visit www.overcastinnovations.com.

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