Principal, Kenny Stanfield, AIA, LEED AP specializes in sustainable design.
Kenny serves as the Vice President of Sherman Carter Barnhart, leading the firm’s innovative and sustainable design principles.
He is nationally acclaimed for his work in high-performance, energy-efficient designs and has spearheaded several pioneering projects. Notably, he led the design of the United States’ first Zero Energy public school, Kentucky’s newest Zero Energy school, and twenty-eight Zero Energy Emerging/Achievable facilities throughout Kentucky.
to learn more you can email him at kstandfield@scbarchitects.com
High-Performance Design
Sherman Carter Barnhart is guided by a high-performance building philosophy rooted in the belief that sustainable design is simply smart design. Our designs embody environmental stewardship by reducing energy use, initial costs, and operating expenses while educating future generations about energy conservation and sustainability.
We focus on the principles of both LEED® and Zero-Energy, resulting in lower utility costs, disaster-resilient structures, and a healthier environment. As members of the U.S. Green Building Council, and with LEED® Accredited Professionals in all disciplines on staff, we have accomplished LEED® Certified buildings at every level as well as LEED® for Homes, and LEED® Neighborhood Developments. Firm-wide, projects include K-12 facilities, residence halls, postsecondary academic buildings, judicial centers, office buildings, and multi-family housing.
We further our commitment to high-performance design by expanding the goals of LEED® “Energy and Atmosphere” to achieve Zero-Energy. Our proven strategies consistently achieve a 75% energy reduction that can be applied to all building
How It All Started
In 2010, Sherman Carter Barnhart accepted the challenge to design the nation’s first Zero-Energy school. Since its opening, Richardsville Elementary School has delivered on all promises, consistently performing at 18.2 EUI, equating to a 75% reduction in energy consumption compared to an average school building.
In addition to achieving zero annual energy costs, Richardsville generates more on-site energy than it consumes through a 348 kW solar array. As a result, the school annually receives a surplus check of over $40,000 from TVA, the energy provider. This makes Richardsville the only school in the nation that creates a positive revenue stream for its school district.
Zero Energy Achievable
Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects embraces a Net-Zero Achievable, high-performance building philosophy in our design approach.
Crafting high-performance, energy-efficient buildings necessitates a holistic approach throughout the design process. As the architect of the first Zero-Energy verified public school in the country, Sherman Carter Barnhart brings a comprehensive understanding supported by empirical data and extensive experience in energy consumption. Recognizing that each design choice impacts a building’s energy efficiency, we have developed strategic design methodologies to uphold our firm’s environmental stewardship values. These strategies aim to achieve at least a 75% reduction in energy consumption, lower operational expenses, and create the most sustainable facilities.
We integrate the principles of LEED® and Zero-Energy into our projects, delivering benefits such as reduced utility costs, disaster-resilient structures, and enhanced environmental health. Our commitment extends beyond LEED®’s “Energy and Atmosphere” objectives to achieve Zero-Energy status. Our established strategies consistently result in a 75% reduction in energy use.
Understanding what consumes energy is crucial before implementing reduction measures. By analyzing energy consumption patterns, we have identified key strategies to enhance energy performance, including:
- Compact Building Form
- Disaster Resiliency
- Specialized Roofing
- Building Orientation
- High-Performance Systems
- Healthy Kitchen Initiative
- Easy to Maintain
- Environmental Stewardship
A Firm-Wide Commitment
Since 2010, Sherman Carter Barnhart has designed over thirty buildings to achieve a 75% reduction in energy use, including Zero-Energy and Zero-Energy Emerging facilities. With the decreasing costs of alternative energy technologies, we see a significant opportunity to expand their use. Our buildings are designed to achieve an energy usage of 25 EUI or less, positioning them a step closer to full sustainability.
Firm-wide, we implement these strategies across all our projects. By incorporating the potential for future renewable energy additions, we are continuously enhancing the positive environmental impact of our buildings.
With the knowledge, experience, and real-world data to assist each client in evaluating all design decisions, we tailor our zero-energy design strategies to maximize energy efficiency and minimize costs. This comprehensive approach ensures that each project meets its energy goals while delivering sustainable, high-performing buildings that are resilient, cost-effective, and optimized for long-term use.
