Two Hoffman Projects Achieve Net Zero Energy Milestone

Contact: Scott Pigeon
Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc. | Director of Marketing
Phone: 920-380-2175 | Email: spigeon@hoffman.net

(Appleton, Wis.) – Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc., a Total Project Management firm in Appleton, Wisconsin, is proud to announce that two of the firm’s facility projects designed and constructed to achieve net zero energy have been completed. Holy Wisdom Monastery in Madison, Wisconsin, and the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael Dominican Convent in San Rafael, California, now generate more solar energy on-site than they consume over the course of a year. Both facilities will be monitored in the coming years to confirm net zero performance.

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"Hoffman is extremely honored to have assisted both in their drive to achieve net zero energy."

Henry Hundt

Hoffman Sustainability Leader

Hoffman provided energy consumption expertise and solar planning services to both congregations in their effort to achieve net zero energy.

The Benedictine Women of Madison partnered with Hoffman on the design and construction of the 34,000 square foot Holy Wisdom Monastery in 2009. It became the highest-rated LEED v2.2-New Construction building in the United States. Over the past 15 years, the Sisters have implemented additional renewable energy sources on-site for the Monastery and adjacent 20,000 square foot Retreat and Guest House. The final phase of their project began in 2023 with the installation of a ground-mount solar panel array and a ground-sourced heat pump system at the Retreat and Guest House. Holy Wisdom Monastery and the Retreat and Guest House are the third and fourth buildings in Wisconsin to achieve net zero energy.

Hoffman began working with the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael to evaluate their care facility, but the scope of the planning project quickly expanded into making their entire property more sustainable. Based on Hoffman’s guidance, the Sisters remodeled and expanded convent includes a 100% renewable energy microgrid that provides continuous clean energy, on-site electrical vehicle charging, and will remain operational during grid outages.

“Both the Benedictine Women and Dominican Sisters have demonstrated that while sustainability efforts take time and planning to implement, net zero is achievable and reduces operating costs,” said Henry Hundt, Hoffman’s Sustainability Leader. “As good stewards of the Earth’s resources, both organizations look to minimize their impact on the environment with every opportunity. Hoffman is extremely honored to have assisted both in their drive to achieve net zero energy.”

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Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc. is an integrated Total Project Management firm based in Appleton, Wisconsin. Hoffman’s mission is to make a positive impact on people’s lives and their environment by providing creative ideas and responsible solutions. Total Project Management (TPM), is Hoffman’s exclusive process that integrates efficient, healthy, and cost-effective building solutions that respect the environment while enhancing a building’s quality and value and reducing initial and long-term facility costs. Learn more at www.hoffman.net.