Please plan to attend a 21 Acres forum on Saturday, March 23, 2013,  9-noon.

What Makes a Building Green? 

 For information and to register, click here.

Consistent with our mission for a sustainable future, the new 21 Acres Center is an innovative building designed to Leadership in Energy And Environmental Design (LEED) standards targeting a Platinum rating. The building and its integrated systems provide lessons for the community to consider in lessening their own impact on the planet.

For images from the 21 Acres Center construction click here.

Click here to download a brochure with information on the 21 Acres Center and its sustainable features. 

Green Buildings

• May incorporate sustainable materials in their construction (e.g., reused, recycled-content, or made from renewable resources);
• Create healthy indoor environments with minimal pollutants (e.g., reduced product emissions); and/or
• Feature landscaping that reduces water usage (e.g., by using native plants that survive without extra watering).

Green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by:

• Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources;
• Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity (thermal comfort); and
• Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation.
  

More info from EPA.

Key Sustainable Features in the Center for Local Food and Sustainable Living

Heating, Cooling and Ventilation System Efficiency (HVAC)

Thermal mass

• Insulating concrete forms (ICF) used to form the exterior walls and some interior walls. Some (but not all) of the insulated concrete forms (ICF) were 100% recycled expanded polystyrene. (http://www.apexblock.com)
• Earthen berm built along the south wall of the building’s lower floor.

Ground source heat pump system

• Radiant floor
• Pre-heat “hot” water
• Energy recovery ventilation

Lighting

• Skylights, clerestory windows, energy efficient lighting

Natural ventilation

• Reduces operating costs by decreasing power used to mechanically ventilate and cool.
• Reduce building energy use and thereby also reduce the environmental impact and external resource requirement/impact.

Renewable Energy

Electricity

• 26.1 kW solar photovoltaic roof-mounted system.(http://www.sunergysystems.com/)
• C.E.S. Smart Distribution Panels (digital circuit breakers)
  Computerized Electricity Systems (http://www.c-e-systems.com)
  

Water Conservation

• Grey water treatment (Nibler, http://www.thenibblercompany.com/)
• Biofilters (Glendon, http://www.glendon.com/)
  
• Composting toilets (http://www.clivusmultrum.com/)
  
• Living Roof (http://www.solterrasystems.com/)
  
• Low flow fixtures
  
  

Other Sustainability Features:

Geopier Foundation System is a foundation alternative that

• Substantially reduced the number of truck transports and accompanying emissions.
• Uses aggregate rock used instead of concrete for piers. (http://www.geopier.com/index.asp?id=11)
  

Transportation

• 21 Acres is preparing to take part in the EV Project by installing two electric vehicle charging stations. The EV Project is an initiative launched in 2009, overseen by ECOtality, Inc. and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The analysis of data collected at EV Project charging stations will be used to improve North America’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure. (http://www.theevproject.com/)