Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Illinois

The new synagogue for the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, is the Greenest Synagogue in Illinois and probably in America as well.

From reusing materials from the previous structure, to milling the trees that were displaced during construction into the front doors of the building, the atmosphere of this facility is warm all year long and embraces sustainable design in various ways. Strategically placed environmentally friendly windows allow for day lighting to fill the 32,000 sq. ft. interior with bright, natural, warm sunlight, without all excess heat and glare.

Concrete, brick, and limestone from other local demolition sites were crushed on-site and placed into wire cages to create gabion rubble walls that enclose the edges of gardens and children’s playgrounds. The concrete and brick from the original site was ground and used as engineering fill for the foundation of the new building.
The building also plays host to a storm water detention garden, which lowers the amount of water that filters into the storm sewer from the property by 30%.
On the inside of the building, low flow toilets and energy efficient sinks and appliances compliment the aforementioned garden, bringing the total water savings to about 41% of a comparable structure’s use.
Reclaimed Cypress slats line the walls and many ceilings. These slats serve a multitude of purposes. The slats provide a warm look and great acoustics barrier. Reclaimed dark walnut from fallen or diseased trees from the Chicago Park District was milled for the steps and surface of the raised podium in the sanctuary.
Flooring throughout the building is no more than exposed concrete that has been polished, saving the money and resources required for a new floor. Even the woodwork and cabinets throughout the building are made of pressed sunflower seeds.

Great River Energy Corporate Headquarters, Minnesota

Great River Energy’s new corporate headquarters in Maple Grove, Minneapolis, is a four-storey, 166,000 sq ft building, designed by architects Perkins + Will, located on a 12.5 acre site in Maple Grove’s Arbor Lakes development.Lets see what makes Great River Energy’s new corporate headquarters one of AIA’s Top Green Projects for 2009, as seen in ArchitectureNews:

The building features a number of the latest advancements in energy efficiency technology that help set the new standard for building design and construction. Features include a low-energy HVAC system design featuring under-floor displacement ventilation and a geothermal heating and cooling system that utilizes the adjacent Arbor Lake.

The building also has an on-site 200kW wind turbine that transforms wind energy into electricity and stands at 160 ft tall. Solar panels will provide nearly 15 percent of the building’s total electric use and the building will use 40 percent less energy for lighting than similarly sized buildings using standard technology.

Great River Energy’s new corporate campus adheres to stringent environmental standards and will serve as a model of sustainable practices. It will be used as a tool to educate member cooperatives, contractors, business leaders and other members of the building industry about ways they can conserve energy and practice sustainability.

Gish Apartments, San Jose, California

Designed by OJK Architecture and Planning, Gish Apartments, in downtown San Jose is a 35-unit transit-oriented family apartment complex that provides quality affordable housing for households earning 35%–50% of the area median income.
A groundbreaking development both for its architectural design and in its use of renewable energy technologies, this mixed-use building is a model for the State of California's Multifamily Housing Program for mainstreaming special needs populations – over a third of the apartments are set aside for residents with developmental disabilities.
So let find out what makes Gish Apartments one of the Top Green Projects for 2009:

- Photovoltaic electricity generation for common area use
- High performance insulation in 2x6 exterior walls
- Fluorescent light fixtures
- Low-flow water fixtures
- Linoleum and recycled content carpet
- No VOC/no formaldehyde cabinets
- Low emitting paints, adhesives, sealants
- Non-formaldehyde batt insulation
- Recycled content interior trim and baseboard
- Recycled content metal siding
- Energy-efficient, fiberglass windows
- Engineered structural lumber
- Energy-Star appliances
- Sustainable harvest teak site benches and lobby furniture
- Reflective roof to reduce urban heat island effect
- Transit-oriented location adjacent to bus and light rail

Chartwell, Seaside, California

With a goal of achieving net-zero electrical usage (grid neutral), Chartwell is the 1st LEED platinum K-12 campus and a role model for the State of California´s ambitious initiative to mandate grid neutral schools by 2010.

Founded in 1983 to advance the education of dyslexic children, Chartwell had limited resources when, 20 years later, the need for the creation of a living laboratory that would illuminate how buildings are assembled and make the most of the schools, was born.

Gladly that wasn’t an issue for EHDD architects who worked on Chartwell’s campus and managed to include the best-known practices for energy efficiency and created an optimal learning environment.

So, lets see what makes Chartwell one of the Top Green Projects for 2009:

- Daylighting/lighting controls – incorporates natural light to save electricity, reduce HVAC equipment, and contribute to an enhanced learning environment.- 32kW photovoltaic system – generates onsite electricity that cuts electric bills by more than half, and avoids 54,000 lbs of C02 annually.

- Water saving features – reduces campus water use by 60% by using waterless urinals, dual flush toilets, and an 8,700 gallon rainwater cistern.- Sustainable framing design – Twenty-four inch (rather than 16”) framing reduced wood use by 30%, and the majority of the wood purchased was certified for sustainability by the Forest Stewardship Council.

- Construction waste diversion – Eighty-two percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills and recycled.- Waste reutilization – inclusion of slag (iron-ore byproduct) improved concrete quality while reducing C02 emissions.- Improved indoor air quality - selection of paints, finishes, and furnishings with no VOC content reduced likelihood of irritating or toxic fumes that can trigger allergies or other negative health effects. Indoor CO2 monitors adjust ventilation rates.

Charles Hostler Student Center, Beirut

Following our recent post on the AIA’s Top Green Projects for 2009 and your comments regarding what makes each and every one of them unique, we decided to write a series of articles presenting each project separately. After all they do deserve it!

So, enjoy your “eco” ride, starting with The Charles Hostler Student Center in Beirut

Charles W. Hostler Student Center was designed by James Associate Architects (JAA) and opened its facilities for use on May 23, 2008.

According to AIA the center's architectural design was recognized for its "non-hierarchical synthesis of architecture and landscape to create a set of richly varied and environmentally diverse spaces for people to gather at all hours".

Facilities include health and fitness rooms, an indoor 25-meter long swimming pool, a multi-use gymnasium, three basketball courts, in-door soccer and handball courts, two squash courts, student activity rooms, a refurbished track and Green Field, a 280-seat auditorium, a cafe, an internet room, and an underground parking area for around 200 cars.

The Center's complex, is entirely smoke-free and possesses an environment-friendly design that minimizes heat and cooling needs by recycling water, and employing energy-efficient lighting.

In more detail here is what makes the Charles W. Hostler Student Center one of the Top Green Projects for 2009:

- Roof integrated solar collectors for hot water and swimming pool heating
- Building volume-distribution creating local microclimate
- Standby rain water collection system

- High efficiency chilled water generation plant using sea water wells for system cooling
- High efficiency air handling units with Heat Recovery systems
- Conservation of energy through digital building management system

- High building insulation on all external walls and ceilings
- Conservation of energy through digital building management system
- External radiant and evaporative cooling by Water Walls

- Natural wind forced ventilation
- Energy efficient light fixtures
- Grey water collection, treatment and reuse in the same project
- Use of non-potable water for toilet flushing and urinals

- No use of high Ozone Depleting and/or Global Warming potential refrigerants as per Montreal Protocol and LEED requirements
- Maximized open spaces
- No use of any toxic construction materials

Hung on for more details on all Top Green Projects 2009.

AIA's top green projects 2009

The American Institute of Architects has announced its top ten green projects for 2009, all of which protect and enhance the environment through sustainable architecture and green design solutions.

All top ten projects make a positive contribution to their communities, improve comfort for building occupants and reduce environmental impacts through strategies such as reuse of existing structures, connection to transit systems, low-impact and regenerative site development, energy and water conservation, use of sustainable or renewable construction materials, and design that improves indoor air quality.

The projects will be honored at the AIA 2009 National Convention and Design Exposition.

Charles Hostler Student Center, Beirut, Lebanon – VJAA Chartwell, Seaside, CA – EHDD Architecture Gish
Apartments, San Jose, CA - OJK Architecture and Planning
Great River Energy Corporate Headquarters, Maple Grove, Minnesota - Perkins+Will Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation (JRC), Evanston, Illinois - Ross Barney Architects
Portola Valley Town Center, Portola Valley, CA - Siegel & Strain Architects
Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, Orange, Texas - Lake|Flato Architects
Synergy at Dockside Green, Victoria, British Colombia - Busby Perkins+Will Architects Co
The Terry Thomas, Seattle, WA – Weber Thompson
World Headquarters for the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Yarmouth Port, MA – DesignLAB Architects