Remodeling the Mold: The Swift Building Lofts

Breaking and Remodeling the Mold: The Swift Building Lofts

BILLINGS, Mont., January 20, 2010

Billings, Montana, is not the typical place to find a LEED® Platinum Rehab project. Historically a blue-collar railroad town, life in Billings is relaxed. “It’s not the easiest place to make a living, but we live here because of what’s around us,” says Casey Dudley, LEED Rater for the Swift Building Lofts project. Considering the progressive nature of the project, its location, and the current economy, most experts would have questioned value of such a project. But Joni Harman and her husband, Steve, saw these factors as opportunities.

Quicklinks Swift Building Lofts

“We had sold our home and were living in an apartment while we looked for a more permanent residence,“ Joni says. The Harmans, who have always been passionate about the environment, were looking for a green residence or at least one with green features. “There weren’t any,” says Joni. “There weren’t even any with ENERGY STAR appliances. We looked at all sorts of condos and townhomes. When we asked about green features, most people didn’t even know what we were talking about.” 

Instead of settling for a traditionally built home, the Harmans saw an opportunity to develop their own green residence. They chose a dilapidated meat packaging plant in a historic area of downtown Billings. “We just fell in love with the building,” says Joni. “Because of the size, we knew we had to build multiple units. And to be truly sustainable, a rehab project and a platinum certification were the only way to go.” The Harmans funded the project with standard bank loans. Having no experience with construction or development, they hired the “best of the best”, and the project was underway.

If the integrity or sustainability of a process or material was questioned during the rehabilitation, Earth Advantage Institute’s LEED program manager, Randy Hansell, was available to help the team. “Working with Randy and Earth Advantage Institute was an invaluable asset to the Swift project,” says Dudley. “If any issue arose, he got to the heart of the matter quickly.”

On the surface, this LEED Platinum Rehab project seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technologies, including a 4,000 gallon rainwater collection unit, solar hot water system and P/V systems, dual-flush toilets, FSC-certified framing lumber, and stainless steel ENERGY STAR® appliances, into sleek architecture and stunning, modern interiors, which were designed by a local firm with an impressive, national portfolio. When it comes to showcasing the best in green technologies and design, the Swift Building Lofts pretty much have it all. However, the soul of this project lies within the building process, and it’s this process that truly sets the Swift Building Lofts apart.

The fundamental goal of the building process was to preserve as many of the building’s historical aspects as possible, and rehabbing a 100-year-old meatpacking facility, while preserving its historical integrity, created some unique challenges. One of these was the original coolers, which were eventually integrated into the structure of the units. “It was just too much work to remove them,” says Joni. However, the team discovered that the heavily insulated cooler walls were very efficient and could be used as functional design aspects. Other historical elements that were preserved include the original scales, dials, and pulleys. These features, along with the cooler doors, are visible in almost every unit.  An external staircase was also constructed using the grates of a meat smoker that ran from the bottom to the top of the factory. 

All of this hard work resulted in a stunning, 9-unit, LEED Platinum Rehab called the Swift Building Lofts. The project got its name from Swift and Company, the name of the meatpacking company that originally used the building. The Swift Building Lofts are currently awaiting certification from the historical registry.

When asked whether this project would spur more green building projects in Montana, Dudley was hopeful. “We hardly ever use the term ‘green’ here. But spoken or not, words like conservation, efficiency, and stewardship are ingrained in Montana’s culture. I think the Swift project will certainly pave the way for future projects.”

Regardless of what it’s called, the Swift Building Lofts project is certainly an example that will educate local residents and, hopefully, stimulate future projects in region.