Navigating Sustainability in Self-Storage
A Q&A with Tyler Jones, Director of Operations at ARCO/Murray
In an industry where sustainability practices are rapidly evolving, ARCO/Murray is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge solutions into self-storage construction. In this Q&A, Tyler Jones, Director of Operations, shares insights into how developers can navigate these trends and implement sustainable solutions into their facilities.
Q: As demand for sustainable buildings increases, how does ARCO/Murray address the challenges of incorporating green building practices, like energy-efficient lighting and solar panels, into self-storage projects?
Tyler Jones: Keeping up with the evolving landscape is essential. For instance, many regions now require self-storage facilities to be solar-ready or include solar installations from day one. This impacts the design, cost, and timeline, so it’s critical for us to stay ahead of code changes and understand the specific requirements to guide our clients through the process effectively.
For example, we’re working toward LEED certification for a project in California, which involves incorporating sustainable materials. While these initiatives can add additional costs, they’re essential for meeting modern building standards and environmental goals. As a design-builder, we ensure these conversations happen early to avoid any surprises during construction.
Q: How do green initiatives impact the long-term operating costs and ROI of self-storage facilities, and are there any trade-offs developers should be aware of?
Tyler Jones: Green initiatives certainly reduce a facility’s carbon footprint, and in some localities, governments heavily subsidize specific green measures, which can improve long-term operating costs. However, in many cases, ROI can be difficult to quantify. For example, eco-friendly building materials are often more expensive and less readily available. So, while the environmental benefits are clear, the market hasn’t fully scaled to support these practices cost-effectively, which can pose a challenge for developers. That’s why we engage in early-stage discussions with our clients to help them understand all options and make well-informed decisions before committing to expenditures.
Q: What role do regulatory requirements play in your design decision-making process when considering eco-friendly materials or technology-driven upgrades?
Tyler Jones: Regulatory requirements are a major factor in design decisions. We make it a point to thoroughly understand the current codes and certifications before the design process begins. This allows us, the design-builder, to ensure that our specifications can accommodate standards like LEED, California’s green building codes, and Massachusetts’ new Stretch Code. Managing these complexities upfront prevents costly surprises later. This is a critical value we provide to clients—by addressing these risks early, we help them avoid unexpected expenses down the road.
Q: Have you encountered any specific challenges related to market adoption when implementing sustainability measures in self-storage facilities?
Tyler Jones: Absolutely. The supply chain for sustainable materials is still catching up with demand. For example, in order to meet LEED requirements on a recent project in California, we had to use slag in the concrete mix, which is more sustainable but harder to source compared to traditional cement. Fortunately, having been involved in the project from an early stage, we were able to spend quality time searching for the right partner that could help us source this commodity. This type of foresight is critical because in a traditional plan-and-spec environment, where the contractor isn’t brought in until later, there’s much less flexibility in sourcing and cost management.
As the self-storage industry continues to evolve, ARCO/Murray is committed to helping developers navigate the complexities of sustainability. By staying ahead of regulatory requirements and addressing potential challenges early in the process, ARCO/Murray ensures that clients can achieve their sustainability goals while maintaining efficiency and cost control.
Contact Tyler to discuss partnering with ARCO/Murray on your next project.