Ashrae Journal - November 2008 - (Page 38)

Sustainable Nature Center By David Kistler, P Member ASHRAE .E., T he Environmental Discovery Center is designed as a portal to introduce K – 12 school children and the general public to the natural habitat and restored diameter clear acrylic dome immersion classroom located at the pond level (within the pond) allows visitors to explore the underwater ecosystems of the kettle pond. It’s All About Water ecosystems of Indian Springs Metropark. Located between Detroit and Flint, Mich., at the headwaters of the Huron River, the building requirements called for classrooms, laboratories, and a multipurpose room to meet the needs of the educational programs envisioned by the Metropark’s staff. The approximately 19,000 ft2 (1765 m2) building, which abuts a 1.7 acre (0.68 ha) recreated kettle pond, is located near man-made and natural wetlands, and serves as a gateway to nature walking trails. The completed building allows visitors to view the kettle pond from above the water, at the water, and even from below the water. Entry level (above the pond) spaces include administrative offices, entry lobby, a large multipurpose room (for up to 200 guests), and the wet lab environmental in38 ASHRAE Journal A key theme of the Environmental Discovery Center is water stewardship and the relation of water to natural systems. The project’s mechanical engineers worked closely during the design with aquatic biologists, ecologists, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Metropark planners, landscape architects, and civil engineers to gain maximum use of water extracted by the site’s well system. All water on the EDC site is obtained from a high-capacity aquifer, which underlines the site. The man-made Kettle Pond and associated wetland areas require a nearly continuous About the Author David Kistler, P .E., is principal and mechanical engineer at SmithGroup in Detroit. terpretive studio. The lower level (at pond level) includes classrooms and distance learning educational spaces, as well as the building support functions. A 20 ft (6 m) ashrae.org November 2008 http://www.ashrae.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Ashrae Journal - November 2008

Ashrae Journal - November 2008 Contents Commentary Industry News Meetings and Shows Feature Articles Reducing Data Center Energy Consumption Building Sciences Feature Articles Sustainable Nature Center Emerging Technologies Special Products Washington Report Special Supplement: BACnet® Today BACnet® Goes Green Seeing the Light with BACnet® BACnet® on Campus BACnet® for Net Zero Analyzing BACnet® BACnet® at Xerox Campus BACnet® in Europe BACnet® for Green Library BACnet® at the University of Minnesota: Flexibility, Interoperability InfoCenter Product Showplace Classified Advertising Advertising Index

Ashrae Journal - November 2008

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