High Performing Buildings - Winter 2009 - (Page 33)

Materials Showcase The design team looked for interior finishes and furniture that would reinforce the goals of the project: to protect indoor air quality and showcase a range of beautiful, green materials. A palette of natural and composite materials was chosen, with many elements built in place to lend the studio a clean, well-crafted feel. Low- and no-VOC materials were chosen wherever possible, including modular Interface carpet tiles, paints and adhesives, and office furniture. These materials were relatively easy to find locally, offered satisfactory design choices, and carried only a minor cost premium. Plywood was an exception, as it was not available as both an FSC-certified and formaldehyde-free product at the time. Workstations were custom-milled and tailored to the geometry of the studio, but constructed simply of recycled-content MDF and FSCcertified finished plywood. Bamboo shelves, cabinets, and tabletops provide a contrasting texture. Of the natural, rapidly renewable, and recycled materials that were used — which included insulation, gypsum wallboard, framing lumber, countertops, bulletin boards, and kitchen flooring — two were especially successful discoveries: Paperstone, a 100% post-consumer recycled content countertop; and Timberstrand, a visually interesting and formaldehyde-free engineered lumber, used to frame sliding glass doors. Water Savings Water conservation, often overlooked in older buildings, was achieved by retrofitting existing fixtures with lowflow and sensor-operated devices. Dual-flush flush valves were installed on toilets in the ladies’ room, while the men’s room was equipped with two waterless urinals. Sensor-operated faucets using less than 0.18 gallons per cycle were installed in both restrooms. Overall, the project achieved a 44.6% reduction over LEED baseline water consumption. In some cases, the project team encountered tradeoffs between environmental goals. Water use was one example: in place of disposable foodservice items, reusable plates, cups, silverware, and other utensils are used at the office on a daily basis. To support this practice, two ENERGY STAR dishwashers were installed, which consume additional water but reduce solid waste. Green Roof Because of the penthouse’s unusual floor plan, a terrace of approximately 5,500 square feet was a prominent feature of the office, visible from HPB.hotims.com/21085-10 Winter 2009 HigH Performing Buildings 33 http://www.buildingenergy.nesea.org http://www.buildingenergy.nesea.org http://HPB.hotims.com/21085-10

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of High Performing Buildings - Winter 2009

High Performing Buildings - Winter 2009
Contents
Commentary
OHSU Center for Health & Healing
Documenting Performance
Cook+Fox Architects Office
5 Houston Center
Skanska's Atlanta Office
Advertisers Index

High Performing Buildings - Winter 2009