AIA Announces 2004 Green Projects

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has selected this year’s Top Ten Green Projects from among an especially strong pool of submissions. The 2004 jury, chaired by Sandy Mendler, AIA, included Susan Ubbelohde, Tony McLaughlin, Don Watson, FAIA, and William Moorish. Full project information is online at www.aiatopten.org/hpb/ or in the BuildingGreen Suite at www.buildinggreen.com/hpb/.

City of White Rock

Operations Building

Architect: Busby + Associates Architects

This LEED

^® Gold building (see p. 1) uses operable windows, daylighting, appropriate shading, and occupancy sensors to keep energy use low. Solar hot water is used for radiant-floor heating, fulfilling the majority of the building’s heating needs. Natural ventilation is used in place of air-conditioning. Photovoltaic panels provide about 5% of the building’s energy. A green roof and pervious parking lot reduce site runoff, and a stormwater detention pond provides water for flushing toilets and cleaning city vehicles. More than 97% of the demolition waste was diverted from the landfill.

Factor 10 House

Architect: Esherick Homsey Dodge & Davis

The goal for this single-family residence was to reduce its life-cycle environmental impact by a factor of ten, compared with a conventional American home. It’s modular design reduced material waste and allowed for some off-site assembly. An open floor plan maximizes the benefit of natural ventilation and daylighting. A green roof and grass pavers reduce stormwater runoff. The home achieved a HERS rating of 86.1.

Genzyme Center

Architect: Behnisch, Behnisch & Partner with Next Phase Studios and House Robertson Architects

The 344,000 ft

² (32,000 m

²) Genzyme Center includes offices, a cafeteria, a library, gardens, a conference center, cafés, and public retail space. The building is located on a former brownfield site near several subway lines. A vegetated roof reduces stormwater runoff while limiting the building’s contribution to the urban heat-island effect. A high-performance curtainwall glazing system includes operable windows and allows for automated control and nighttime flushing. The central atrium acts as a return air duct and light shaft, with daylighting aided by tracking light scoops and reflectors. The building is heated and cooled by steam from a nearby combined heat and power (CHP) generating station.

The Gilman Ordway Building at Woods Hole Research Center

Architect: William McDonough + Partners

This office building and laboratory combines new construction with the renovation of a 19th century summer home. Good insulation, extensive daylighting, and efficient equipment reduce energy use. A 26.4 kW photovoltaic array, a closed-loop ground-source heat pump system, and a solar hot-water system further reduce the building’s use of nonrenewable energy. An innovative denitrifying septic system protects the fragile site while providing a research opportunity for the Center’s soil science laboratory.

Greyston Bakery

Architect: Cybul and Cybul Architects

This 23,000 ft

² (2,100 m

²) production bakery was built on a former brownfield site near downtown Yonkers. Windows, skylights, and light shafts were strategically placed to bring daylight to 50% of the building. Concrete floors and walls act as heat sinks. The oven is so well insulated that its exterior is not hot to the touch. Outside ambient air is used in one stage of cooling baked goods. A roof garden serves as a public meeting space.

Herman Miller Building C1

Architect: Krueck & Sexton Architects

In this LEED Gold renovation, 100% of the existing 1974 shell was reused—original structural materials such as steel and brick were left exposed as interior finishes. The resulting office building uses 31% less water and 29% less energy than a minimally code-compliant building. An on-site biomass-powered central plant supplies all heating and cooling needs and more than 12% of the electricity. An open floor plan brings daylight deep into the building, and all occupants have a direct line of sight to the outside landscape. Low-VOC paints, carpets, and sealants were used throughout.

Lake View Terrace Library

Architect: Fields Devereaux Architects & Engineers

This 10,700 ft

² (1,000 m

²) facility serves as a public library and multi-use facility for the City of Los Angeles. The building is 40% more efficient than required by California’s strict energy code. Masonry walls ensure the building’s durability and serve as thermal mass to moderate its temperature. Building-integrated photovoltaic panels shade the building’s entry and generate 15% of its energy needs. Approximately 80% of the building is naturally ventilated by operable windows, and, during the typical day, all public areas are daylit.

Pierce County Environmental

Services Building

Architect: Miller|Hull Partnership, LLP

The introduction of daylighting, interior vegetation, and views to the outside make this suburban office building a pleasant work environment. Stormwater is collected and treated onsite through a series of ponds, a bioswale, and an infiltration pond. Nighttime flushing cools the building’s concrete thermal mass, reducing cooling needs in the morning. Environmentally responsible material choices include wheatboard, cork, and FSC-certified wood. Interpretive exhibits educate building occupants and visitors about the project’s green features.

The Plaza at PPL Center

Architect: Robert A.M. Stern Architects

Located in downtown Allentown, this LEED Gold building provides office space for a regional energy company and some street-level retail space. A green roof and interior winter gardens connect occupants to living systems. Extensive perimeter glazing and a central atrium bring daylight deep into the building’s core. Low-VOC paints, adhesives, carpets, and composite woods were used throughout the facility, and more than 85% of the wood products are FSC-certified.

The Solaire at 20 River Terrace

Architect: Cesar Pelli & Associates

This 357,000 ft

² (33,000 m

²), 27-story residential tower in Battery Park City was designed to use 50% less potable water and 35% less energy than a conventional residential building while providing copious fresh air to all units. A building-integrated photovoltaic array generates 5% of the building’s energy needs. Wastewater is treated on-site and used for the cooling tower and flushing toilets, as well as to irrigate a nearby park. Stormwater is used to irrigate the site, including its rooftop gardens. The building has achieved a LEED Gold certification. For more on the Solaire, see

EBN

Vol. 9, No. 11.