GOING GREEN
THE BENEFITS
We believe that green building is the right and only thing to do - for our city, our world, our children and our legacy. Center has developed comprehensive sustainable design strategies that are in line with the LEED Rating System, making this only the third Virginia project to attempt LEED certification with a historic renovation project. Preliminary rating places our project at the Silver Level.
To ignite our vision and to fulfill our promise, we must create a "living" or "participatory" facility, that is truly flexible, adaptable and able to grow. This organic approach will enable Center in the Square and its beneficiary organizations to remain current as technology advances, use the building itself to teach cyclical philosophies, and stimulate layered and dynamic levels of interaction. Major elements of our exciting and innovative plan include a redesigned, interactive and open lobby area and touch-screen motivations; integrated cutting-edge technology that pervades the infrastructure; up-to-date, energy-efficient building systems that actively educate from floor to floor; historically consistent facade refurbishments that make the building more visually identifiable and accessible; total system upgrades and replacements that meet modern museum and exhibit requirements; and an exciting, vegetated roof top gathering space that features multipurpose flexible classroom space, a dining area, interactive energy collection systems and a dynamic skylight butterfly habitat.
Impact on Operations
By meeting our energy goals, Center can realistically save approximately $600,000 in energy costs in the next 10 years and almost $2,000,000 in the next 20 years. If we can exceed our goals, the savings will be even greater.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES
Project design features related to the LEED rating System
Site: Center in the Square makes use of an existing building, the W.E. McGuire Building, in an existing densely developed downtown center. There is pedestrian access to many services, restaurants, and cultural amenities. It is served by public transportation, and makes use of an adjacent existing city parking structure. No open space will be taken to provide parking for the newly renovated Center in the Square. The roofing will promote the reduction of the "heat island effect" by the use of vegetated roofing and reflective roofing materials. Light fixtures were selected that will reduce light pollution.
Water: Water use is reduced by more than 40% by the use of low flow and waterless fixtures. Rain water will be captured for use, irrigating the vegetated roof and wall features.
Energy and Atmosphere: There will be an independent agent performing Building Systems Commissioning. Existing HVAC equipment will be replaced with new equipment that will provide a great improvement in efficiency, as well as the elimination and proper disposal of the CFC refrigerants that are presently in use. The new equipment will provide greater control of temperature, CO2, and humidity in the occupied spaces. Energy use is expected to be reduced by 20 - 40% from the code required performance. Roof mounted photovoltaic panels will provide electricity from a renewable source.
Materials and Resources: The collection and sorting of recyclable materials will be highly encouraged. Ninety-five percent of the existing building's walls, floor and roof will be reused. 75% of construction waste will be diverted from the landfill. Many of the new building materials were selected for their recycled, rapidly renewable, or locally harvested content. The wood will come from sources certified for their sustainably responsible management practices.
Indoor Environmental Quality: The building systems were designed, will be installed, and will be operated under an indoor air quality management plan. Tobacco use will be prohibited. Building materials such as adhesives, sealants, paints, and carpets are low emitting materials. Sources of indoor pollutants will be controlled. The HVAC and lighting systems will be controllable by the building occupants.
Education and Outreach: The building will be an extension of the Science Museum's environmental education programs. A butterfly habitat and living coral reef aquarium are planned for construction. The building materials and systems within Center will be detailed through educational signage. Both the building systems and photovoltaic energy production will be monitored providing real-time information to visitors.
A Green building will provide numerous opportunities to address Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools in key areas of science, such as: Life Processes; Living Systems; Earth Patterns, Cycles, and Change; and Resources. Our project additionally provides a unique opportunity to couple responsible water and energy use with public education. Students can come to the Science Museum to learn about energy and electrons, and see it actively working at the rooftop photovoltaic and digital displays. Bio-filtration and water collection systems can illuminate reuse lessons from the atrium to the rooftop. In a visit to our facility, students can simultaneously learn about our region's past history and the importance of our local environment, as well as experiencing how we are actively helping to preserve it for the future.