APPROACHES AND CONCEPTS

(1) Frontload green design: The list of green features at the end of the document has its limitations. We feel that it’s very important to emphasize that green design and construction should not be approached as a list or package of features that can be tacked on after building design. Rather, we propose that environmental sustainability and human health guide all decisions from the initial development of siting and rough sketches to the final touches.

(2) Carry out integrated analysis of green features: An important part of this holistic approach to green design and building is the analysis of green components in a combined or integrated manner rather than piecemeal. Combined analysis of suites of green features can reveal savings and affordability not shown by traditional linear, incremental analysis of each green feature alone.

(3) Consider green consulting: We might consider using a green consultant – such as the Rocky Mountain Institute – for some part of the development of green features and analyses. This might be particularly important for analyses of combinations of green components on building performance. Funding green consulting might be a good donor opportunity.

(4) Aim for the “silver” level of LEED certification without official certification: The LEED program is an instrument that helps measure the extent to which green building goals have been met. The LEED program has several levels of certification, corresponding to increasing levels of green design. Although actual LEED certification might not be affordable, we recommend setting a target of the “silver” level of certification, the second highest level. In other words, we suggest that building construction and operation and waste disposal be carried out in a way that would achieve silver certification. This can be accomplished by qualifying for at least 33 points distributed over 7 categories. Official LEED certification might be a good donor opportunity, if we decide there are advantages to such an approach.

(5) Vision: How might we describe a green vision for this building? Although we envision green design throughout the building, many of the priorities coalesce around a common theme: bringing in the natural environment, especially natural light. Natural light can play a positive role in this building in many ways. First, the more natural light is used, the less energy is required for artificial lighting and heating. Second, high levels of natural light have been shown to boost productivity in the workplace and learning in students. Third, natural light contributes significantly to a healthy indoor environment. Finally, a building suffused with natural light would be a salve for faculty, staff, and students during the dark weeks of midwinter in Maine.

We envision a building that would bring in the natural environment in a variety of ways. The building and windows would be oriented and shaped to maximize ambient light. Perhaps light tubes and reflective light shelves could be used to bring in additional reflected light to deeper indoor areas. Indoor artificial lighting would be highly energy efficient, comfortable, and flexible. The building could be designed with a gravitational pull towards outdoor areas, which would be visually connected to the indoors. To reduce runoff into the stream corridor, we might consider a sod roof on part of the building. Perhaps, a greywater system could be routed from sinks around the building to plants in a variety of indoor locations, forming a closed loop. What a wonderful environmental model for an education building: simply designed systems driven by natural light that mimic natural ecosystems.

We should consider coupling this “natural theme” with a prominent, very energy-efficient design for the heating and cooling system. For example, we should explore a ground water heat pump system, passive solar water heating, and limited use of photovoltaics. A “natural environment” theme coupled with a super energy-efficient heating and cooling system all set in a building with many other green features would be a powerful strategy for achieving a building that is green, comfortable, and exciting to donors and the public at large.

LIST OF GREEN FEATURES TO CONSIDER

The following list of green features and approaches is divided into several categories. Many of the items involve little if any additional cost; these are indicated by italics. Those that might involve considerable additional upfront cost or are somewhat radical are indicated with underlining. These items should, nevertheless, be given consideration because most are proven worthy and might attract attention and funding.

Waste management

1. Reuse existing building materials.

2. Design building for adaptability.

3. Reduce and recycle construction waste or have buildings removed for reuse.

4. Make it easy for users to recycle materials.

Energy

1. Passive solar techniques: orient building on East/West axis, maximize southern glass, consider thermal mass, use low-E double-glazed operable windows

2. Calculate heating and cooling loads ( for a green building) and size heater and ductwork appropriately. Reduce energy use by minimizing friction and allowing heater or AC to work most efficiently.

3. Sealed envelope with energy recovery ventilator (air-to-air heat exchanger). Best if system regulates humidity as well as heat.

4. Compact Fluorescents: electronic ballast, ballast base separate from bulb (so bulb can be replaced separately), color rendering index close to 100, longest-lived, highest efficiency (e.g., 85 lumens/watt)

5. Day lighting integrated with electric light controls

6. Quality window coverings to reduce heat loss and excess light gain

7. Groundwater heat pump (“geothermal”)

8. Biodiesel heat and energy generation (burning of waste biomass)

9. Passive solar heating/hot water, possibly as a complement to other systems

10. Active solar heating-hot water-electricity. Photovoltaics to complement electricity draw, or a “drain back” active hot water system. At least provide a structurally sound, southern roof of appropriate slope for future addition.

Water

1. Efficient plumbing. 2.2 gallons per minute or less @ 60 psi faucet pressure and 1.6 gallons per toilet flush

2. Minimize length of pipe between water heater and faucets (to minimize waste from waiting for hot water).

3. Composting toilets/urinals. These can be effective and pleasant, even in northeast. Could be a big draw.

4. Greywater system that runs sink wastewater to indoor plants, which are illuminated with natural light.

Indoor environment

1. Maximum natural light: building orientation, appropriate windows, light tubes, reflective light shelves

2. Artificial lighting: ample, flexible, highly energy-efficient

3. Paints and sealants: long lasting and no emission of volatile organic chemicals (e.g.,, water-based mastic)

4. Linoleum or Marmoleum flooring

5. Minimize carpet, but where needed, us recycled carpet with low emissions of volatile organic chemicals

6. Sound: minimize noise overflow between rooms and from outside; create comfortable classroom acoustics.

7. Air quality: good ventilation and filters; windows that can be easily opened and closed.

Materials

1. Low life-cycle impact (smallest impact on environment over harvest, production, use and disposal)

2. Recycled, recyclable

3. Local

4. Durable

5. Examples: local brick, porous pavement, local sustainable certified wood products (if possible, certified by Forest Stewardship Council rather than Sustainable Forestry Initiative)

Building site

1. Control runoff (porous pavement, planting to buffer and filter runoff, perhaps even a sod roof!)

2. Leave intact desirable native, long-lived trees, shrubs, and herbs

3. Enhance biodiversity of site using native flora; avoid invasive exotics. (We can provide a list of species to avoid.)