Silver Sands Resort
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Solamente Villa
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Sandals LaSource Grenada
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Grenada House of Parliament
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Grenada House of Parliament
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Sandals LaSource Grenada Expansion
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Grenada Public Service Cooperative Credit Union (now "Ariza")
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Sandals LaSource Grenada
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The Beacon Insurance Company Limited
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Single Family Residence - Green Building
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Sandals LaSource Grenada
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National Insurance Scheme Office Complex
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Grenlec Headquarters
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At QuinnCo we are passionate about the built environment and its impact on our natural environment, economy, health and productivity. We have a commitment to sustainable development and solutions that are right for Grenada.
Our successes in Green Building have been with our turn key clients. Those that trust us from beginning to end to design and build with focus on efficiency of resource use - energy, water and materials – while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment through better design, construction, operation and maintenance considerations.
From onsite renewable energy, to energy saving lighting and plumbing fixtures, to rain catchment and multiple recycling of water, we look for ways to maximize both economic and environmental performance.
Quinn Company is proud to have designed and constructed a residence in Fort Jeudy using the best Green Building practises for Grenada. Green building, or sustainable design, is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use energy, water, and materials, and reducing building impacts on human health and the environment.
The home will include solar power and solar hot water which will help with energy efficiency and water and wastewater recycling. The tiff excavated from the site for foundations was used in making compressed earth blocks with a mechanical press which were used to create some of the exterior walls. Other walls include an energy efficient insulated wall system using light gauge steel with high recycled content. The pex water piping system will be included to control and prevent water loss.
The growth and development of our communities have a large impact on our natural environment. The manufacturing, design, construction, and operation of the buildings in which we live and work are responsible for the consumption of many of our natural resources.
Compressed earth blocks use a mechanical press to form blocks using the natural environment. Quinn Company was able to create their own earth blocks by utilizing equipment Dr. Burkhardt brought to Grenada and using the earth found on the construction site. It was then mixed with a small amount of cement and lime collected as a waste product of a local oxygen and gas manufacturing company. The compressed blocks were dried and used in the garage area and in the kitchen of a house using green building technology.
Using earth blocks is an environmentally friendly alternative and aligns with Quinn Company’s desire to be a “green company” working towards sustainability and reducing its environmental impact. When on-site materials are used the cost is reduced in several ways such as minimizing shipping or transportation costs for materials, and increases efficiency. It is faster to obtain materials, because after the blocks are pressed they require a short drying period. The uniformity of the blocks simplifies construction, and minimizes or eliminates the need for mortar and plastering, reducing both the labor and materials costs. The blocks are strong, stable, water-resistant and long-lasting. The materials are completely natural, non-toxic, and do not out-gas. They also have excellent thermal performance, reducing heating and cooling costs. Quinn Company will continue to implement new green building techniques and hopefully encourage others to think about their environmental impact when choosing building materials and implementation tactics.
Improving customer service and energy efficiency were hallmarks in the design and construction of Grenlec’s new Headquarters which was opened with a week of activities for customers, shareholders and staff. At the dedication and ceremonial unveiling. Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Robert Blanchard expressed appreciation to the GRENLEC team headed by Mr. Vernon Lawrence as well as the design and construction team at Quinn Company Limited.
LEED certification, leadership in energy efficiency and environment design, was used as a reference when seeking to improve the building’s energy efficiency. Factors considered in the selection of materials included water efficiency, energy efficiency, Air Conditioning refrigerate management, optimized energy performance, recycled material content and material performance/efficiency and indoor environmental quality. Putting energy efficiency and environment design features into practice support the Grenlec’s commitment to providing reliable, renewable and environmentally-friendly energy.
As part of the festivities the building’s art collection and other works on loan from local artists and the Grenada Arts Council (GAC) was displayed and guided tours provided by council members.
“Sustainable Green Building and Design Practices” was the theme of a presentation on May 20th by Quinn and Company Limited designer/builder of The Beacon Insurance Company Limited, and GrenSol, designer/supplier of the solar power system which generates partial power for the building. The presentation was just one demonstration of these companies’ commitment to sustainable construction.
The presentation was opened by Mr. Christopher Henriques, Vice President of Overseas Operations at The Beacon Insurance Company Limited. He told the audience that when the decision was made to construct their own building in Grenada, The Beacon thought it best to design a structure that would allow business continuity in the face of natural disasters and other catastrophes. He noted that this simple decision caused them to look at alternative ways of providing utilities to the building and eventually along a journey to build an office that was more environmentally friendly.
Mr. Mike Quinn, Managing Director of Quinn Company Limited, reviewed the design criteria employed in the facility which allowed them to improve the water and energy efficiency of the building while providing a workplace that improved indoor quality and employee productivity.
Green Building Design focuses on increasing the efficiency of resource use - energy, water and materials – while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment through better design, construction, operation and maintenance.
The building has a wall system that improves energy efficiency ten times over traditional block construction in Grenada. By combining this with a waterproof radiant barrier on the roof they were able to design a smaller cooling system in the building thereby reducing operating costs significantly. The cooling system in the building utilizes a refrigerant that has zero CFC gas an important factor in reducing damage to the ozone.
Also highlighted in the presentation was the use of sustainable materials especially recycled products such as the light weight steel framing which is made with 67% recycled materials on average and has little or no waste. The design considered recycled content in construction materials as well as utilizing materials that provide high performance and efficiency.
The building has on site renewable energy which reduces the environmental and economic impact of fossil fuels. Dr. Dirk Burkhardt made a presentation of the GrenSol solar power system which has significantly reduced the use of fossil fuel generated electricity. The building receives 50% of its power needs from this system.
