Innovative Ceiling Installation Pairs Energy Savings & Tax Advantages

A Bold Vision for the Built Environment

Swinerton Builders, a national-leading general contractor and construction firm, sought a larger space for its regional office in Spokane, WA. The relocation needed to make a strong statement about the company's commitment to moving communities into the future through innovation and environmental accountability. As a tenant of the Scott Morris Center for Energy Innovation, located in the South Landing Campus, Swinerton became part of a collaborative hub. This hub advances energy systems and high-performance design to modernize the built environment.

"The initial vision for the South Landing was always that it would be a living laboratory where we could test out new technologies and ideas, especially when it comes to the built environment," said Allie Teplicky, a principal with Emerald Initiative, LLC, an affiliate of McKinstry and project owner.

Swinerton leased the entire fourth floor of the 40,000 square foot Scott Morris Center. The company established strict criteria for its new Inland Northwest home. Priorities included utilizing innovative solutions that support industrialized construction, implementing prefabricated and modular building solutions to drive shorter installation times, lowering operating costs, demonstrating decarbonization, and prioritizing occupant comfort.

Emerging Innovations & Strategic Partnerships

These ambitious priorities made the space ideal for emerging energy-saving ceiling technology. The project leveraged a strategic partnership between Armstrong and Overcast Innovations, LLC, a McKinstry subsidiary. This collaboration introduced Modular Grid Platform panels to the space. Swinerton piloted these Modular Grid Platform assemblies, which allow for a perfectly designed network of mechanical, electrical, and Fire & Life Safety technologies and systems to be integrated into one product. This approach preserved the architectural intent while ensuring occupant wellness.

The timing aligned perfectly with the introduction of Armstrong Ultima® Templok® ceiling panels. These mineral fiber ceiling panels utilize advanced phase change material technology to passively stabilize indoor temperatures. They offset mechanical heating and cooling demand during peak hours when systems are least efficient. As a result, Templok ceiling panels deliver reduced energy consumption and a lower carbon footprint.

Ash Awad, Chief Market Officer and President at McKinstry, stated, "While Emerald Initiative and Overcast have been major contributors to South Landing already, bringing in Swinerton and Armstrong highlights the great partnerships that come from prioritizing innovation."

The Financial Case for Energy Saving Ceilings

The new office was ready for occupancy in March 2024. The energy asset was placed in service in March 2025 to begin analyzing cooling and warming energy savings over a full cycle of the seasons.

The PCM of Templok ceiling panels provide thermal energy storage, which makes them eligible to meet 48E Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit requirements. Projects using these panels qualify for a 40% federal tax credit*, plus an additional 10% if deployed in an energy community**. Along with the ceiling panels, associated suspension systems, trim, and labor can qualify for the tax credits. A 2025 study prepared by Ryan LLC confirmed the Templok tiles meet the requirements for domestic content. These contributing factors bring the 48E tax credit for the renovation to more than $25 per square foot, delivering approximately 37% total savings on final project costs.

Scott Stogsdill, Director of Federal Energy Incentives for Ryan LLC, explained that the energy-saving properties of phase change materials and the associated tax credits represent an effective pathway for facility owners to add cost efficiency while supporting long-term sustainability goals.

"We feel looking at new and interesting ways to incorporate Templok Energy Saving Ceilings wherever we can is simply the right thing to do," said Robb Andrade, Managing Director, Overcast Innovations. "It's right for the environment, the occupants, and the bottom line. Whether you're a for-profit corporation or a nonprofit organization, I can't imagine why a project owner wouldn't consider Templok ceilings."

* This page lists various federal tax credits and deductions that your project may qualify for when purchasing Armstrong Templok Energy Saving Ceilings. This general information is not legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice. You should consult your own qualified legal or tax advisor before acting on this information.

** Energy Communities are determined by the DOE Energy Community Tax Credit Bonus