Sustainable Land Development Today - September 2008 - (Page 14)

mately 1,600 tons of heating and cooling capacity and reduce the campus’ heatingrelated CO2 emissions by 34 percent – the equivalent of taking more than 1,700 cars off of Massachusetts roads annually. Geothermal systems also create less demand for electricity during peak periods, which helps to defer the need to construct new electric generating facilities. For the NewBridge project, the geothermal heating and cooling system is expected to reduce electrical demand by approximately 20 percent. In addition to lowering the carbon footprint of the campus, the geothermal heating and cooling system will produce no on-site pollutants, improve indoor air quality, and have lower operating and maintenance costs, increased reliability, and a longer life cycle than other traditional heating and cooling systems. Sound investment in the future The decision to use geothermal heating and cooling came as a result of Hebrew SeniorLife’s mission to care for its natural surroundings and serve future generations with a more sustainable, efficient operation. Although it costs more to install a geothermal system than a standard heating and cooling system, the system will ultimately benefit the nonprofit’s ledger. The geothermal system is expected to save more than $325,000 in operating costs the first year. If fuel energy costs continue to rise, annual savings are expected to rise above $400,000 within five years. Comprehensive efforts Hebrew SeniorLife’s comprehensive green efforts at NewBridge on the Charles extend well beyond the geothermal heating and cooling system. Among the energy efficient and green features also incorporated into the design are: high performance windows, doors and insulation, energy efficient lighting and appliances, and countertops made from recycled materials. Also, the drought-resistant landscaping will feature native plant materials and grasses that are lowmaintenance and do not require frequent watering. The developers are saving as much of the mature natural vegetation on the site as possible, and a manicured landscape will only be maintained in areas close to the buildings. Project designers also took into consideration the campus’s proximity to the sensitive Charles River waterway by incorporating an extensive water management system in which rainwater is collected in a 170,000-gallon underground cistern. Fed by an intricate system of pipes, pumps, and porous pavement roadways, the cistern will supply all of NewBridge’s irrigation needs and use excess water to recharge the groundwater aquifer. This scheme will not only allow the development to boast a completely self-sufficient landscape in which no outside water sources are tapped, but will also prevent any runoff from reaching the Charles River. The water management system is capable of providing more than 74,000 gallons per day for irrigation during peak periods, and is expected to provide almost 41,000 gallons daily throughout the remainder of the year. A back-up well will be available for use at times when the water in the cistern is inadequate. Also, a water filtration system in the cistern will remove particulates in the runoff from building roofs and paved areas. In addition, this drought management system will assure the most efficient use of resources. At times when the Charles River is at low levels, the irrigation system will be set to use only 80 percent of the normal amount. In a drought situation, the system will use just 60 percent of the normal irrigation on portions of the site, and 80 percent in areas close to buildings that require the most water. A comprehensive weather station and a system of soil moisture gauges will simultaneously monitor the weather, soil, and river levels to determine the appropriate timing and amount of irrigation. The data provided by the weather station will be incorporated into the curriculum of the K-8 school on-site and shared with schools throughout the town of Dedham. Rezoning to preserve open space Perhaps the most impressive conservation effort at NewBridge on the Charles is the preservation of more than 100 acres Circle 156 or www.SLDTonline.com/webcard 14 September 2008 Sustainable Land Development Today http://www.SLDTonline.com/webcard

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - September 2008

Sustainable Land Development Today - September 2008 Contents Our Voice The Bottomline Editorial Board SLDT Resources Digging Deep Oases of Capital Build a Better Business on an Interactive, Virtual Landscape Regulation SLDI in Focus �� SLDI Sponsored Summit �� Workshops �� Bookstore Tee’d Up for Sustainability Retention Solutions Wastewater Redevelopment Industry News Marketplace Products/Services Showcase Advertiser Index The Last Word

Sustainable Land Development Today - September 2008

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