H2M increases energy efficiency for Long Island Mercedes-Benz dealerships

H2M recently renovated two Long Island Mercedes-Benz car dealerships using cutting-edge designs while also reducing the dealerships’ carbon footprints. Owned by Competition Automotive Group, Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown and Mercedes-Benz of Huntington have been updated to reflect Mercedes-Benz USA’s new corporate identity standards.

Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown vertically expanded their facility by over 26,000 sq. ft. with a new basement and a second story addition. The project included the demolition of one half of the original showroom. Utilizing MB USA’s corporate identity standards, H2M modified the corporate space standards to meet Competition’s needs. A white TPO roof was installed to keep the building cooler in summer, and the showroom features a car elevator to bring vehicles stored in the basement up to the showroom floor.

Mercedes-Benz of Huntington added over 7,000 sq. ft. of floor space and a brand-new, 163 sq. ft. drive-in recycled water car wash. The car wash captures and filters greywater, introducing only 20% fresh water to each wash. The new two-story showroom allows for cars to be displayed on both levels.

Both facilities feature an abundance of sustainable features. A Building Management System (BMS) is used to control air conditioning and heating. All units are tied into a central control module, which allows for remote access to the units from a computer, cell phone or tablet. Units automatically adjust to internal and external temperatures to keep the interior spaces at a constant temperature. Personnel elevators at both showrooms feature a Machine-Roomless (MRL) elevator. This type of elevator is traction driven, using less electricity and no hydraulic fluids or oils.

One of the most striking features of both designs is the floor to ceiling glass walls that make up three sides of each showroom. Spanning over 20 feet, the glass walls utilize double-pane, tinted, low-E glass, which reduces solar gain through the glass and insulates better than regular double-pane glass. The full height glass walls rely on internal structural reinforcement for support.

“For 80 years, H2M’s team of architects and engineers has emphasized environmental conservation and the use of sustainable materials when working on client projects,” said H2M President/CEO Richard Humann. “We were honored to help Competition Auto Group renovate their Mercedes-Benz dealerships. We went a step beyond focusing solely on the aesthetics of the rebranding by including state-of-the-art, energy-efficient equipment and materials. Reducing water, electricity, and energy usage is a win-win for both Competition and the environment.”