Presentation about Blending Religious Life and Sustainable Design

1. Workshop 27:
Blending Religious Life and
Sustainable Design
presented by
Patrick Del Ponte, PE
Project Manager, Senior Living Team
and
Julie A. Heiberger, AIA, NCARB, LEED®AP
Project Architect, Religious Life Team
November 20, 2008
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Learning Objectives
Explore the advantages of incorporating sustainability into a religious
•
life
lif community.
it
Learn how to reduce operational costs and the impact on the
•
environment.
Learn about the benefits of thoughtfully executed sustainable features.
•
Discuss lessons learned and strategies incorporated from other
g p
•
religious communities.
Define simple strategies for making existing facilities and communities
•
more “green”.
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2. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
A Short History of the
Environmental Movement
• Love Canal
- Niagara Falls, NY (1978)
• Three Mile Island
- Dauphin County, PA (1979)
• Exxon Valdez
- Prince William Sound, AK (1989)
• Smog
• Acid Rain
• Deforestation
• Ozone Layer Depletion
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Who’s planet is it, anyway?!
Reactions Against Degradation of the Environment:
• “Silent Spring” (Rachel Carson, 1962) – detrimental effects of pesticides
• Clean Air Act & US Environmental Protection Agency (1970)
• Solar Houses (California, 1970’s) – early “ecology movement”
• Endangered Species Act (1973)
• US Green Building Council (1993) – sustainable design & construction
• LEED v 1 0 (USGBC 1998) – pilot project program
v. 1.0 (USGBC,
• Kyoto Protocol (2005)
• “An Inconvenient Truth” (Al Gore, 2006)
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3. Individual Sustainability:
Holistic Thinking
Environmental
Sensitivity
• Social
• Physical
• Spiritual
Social Economic
• Environmental / Ecological Benefit Viability
• Emotional
• Economic
Sustainability Issues
Create environments that celebrate life
in Body, Mind and Spirit!
Individual Sustainability:
Holistic Thinking – What are you doing?
• Recycling
y g
• Carpooling
• Green Cleaners
• Natural Fertilizers
• Hybrid/Fuel Efficient Vehicles
• Organic Foods
• Regular Exercise
• Consistent Health Checks
• Etcetera, Etcetera
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4. Community Sustainability:
Holistic Living
• Mission
• Values
• Charism
• Poverty
• Simplicity
• Humility
• Stewardship
• Spirituality
Community Sustainability:
Opportunities
• Own Large Tracts of Prime Land
• Large, Older Underutilized Buildings
• Large Fleet of Vehicles
• Willingness to do the Right Thing as
a Member of the World Community
• Redirect Resources to Acts of
Justice
• Lead by Example
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5. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
What is Sustainable Design?
• Harmonizes human needs with the natural
environment
• Utilizes LEED® or other guidelines
• Provides daylighting and views
• Provides exceptional indoor air quality
• Provides stewardship for ecosystem health
• Conserves energy/resources
gy
• Improves emotional/physical health
• Saves money (life-cycle costs)
“Healthy buildings that utilize sustainable design concepts
Sustaining Value reduce energy and operational costs, incorporate the wise use
of our natural resources and promote successful outcomes.”
HEALTHY / WELL-DESIGNED FACILITIES:
• Take advantage of climatic conditions,
daylight and minimize storm water runoff
• Enhance indoor environmental air quality
• Conserve energy and make use of
renewable resources
• Protect and conserve water
• Minimize disruption to the land
p
• Use local area, resource-efficient materials
• Minimize construction waste
• Optimize maintenance and operations
10
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6. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Sustainable Approaches to Design,
Construction, and Operation
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Mission Statement
• To transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and
operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and
prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.
http://www.usgbc.org
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Sustainable Approaches to Design,
Construction, and Operation
LEED® Green Building Rating System™
Developed by USGBC, LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
•
Design) is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing
high-performance, sustainable buildings.
LEED® addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies
•
for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials
and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality.
LEED® is a practical rating tool for green building design and construction that
•
provides immediate and measurable results for building owners and occupants.
http://www.usgbc.org/LEED
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7. Sustainable Approaches to Design,
Construction, and Operation
LEED® 5 Basic Credit Categories
Information provided by USGBC
Sustainable Approaches to Design,
Construction, and Operation
Other Systems & Programs
• Energy Star
http://www.energystar.gov
• Green Guide for Health Care
http://www.gghc.org
• National Association of Home Builders
Green Building Program
http://www.nahbgreen.org
• Green Globes
http://www.greenglobes.com
•
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8. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
Sustainable Facility Design – Finding the Right Balance
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
Sustainable Facility Design
Energy Conservation Opportunities
• Light Fixtures and Controls
• Daylight Management for
Glare and Unwanted Heat Gain
• HVAC Controls
• HVAC System Components
• Water Conservation
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9. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
Sustainable Facility Design
Energy Conservation Opportunities
AFTER
BEFORE
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
Sustainable Facility Design
Energy Performance as an Important Goal
• Establish baseline using current costs and
anticipated operating budget
• Energy modeling
• Set an initial energy cost savings target (e.g. 20%)
• Develop a series of affordable management
measures and investments and monitor progress
over time.
• Evidence based goal revision if appropriate
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10. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
Sustainable Facility Design
Water Conservation Measures
• No permanent irrigation systems
• Reduced flow showers
• Auto-sensor faucets
• Dual-flush levers for toilets
• Reduced-flow lavatories
• Waterless (or reduced flow) urinals
• Pressure regulated toilets
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
Sustainable Facility Operation
Energy Cost Savings
• Energy savings of 20-50% can be reliably delivered in new construction,
and 10-30% in existing facilities.
• Annual savings are approximately $0.30 to $0.90 per square feet of
building area in existing facilities .
• Additional conservation and efficiency incentives may be available
through utility service providers and local or state government agencies
agencies.
• People and politics are often more difficult to address than technology,
design, and construction challenges
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11. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
Sustainable Facility Design
Benefits of Sustainable Facilities
• Better work environments
• Improved staff productivity
• Increased staff satisfaction
and retention
• Reduced operating costs
• Improves
Impro es healing en ironment
environment
• Reduced liability exposure
• Provides a positive example
for your community
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Practical & Operational
Benefits for Built Environments
Four Primary Categories:
• Air & Climate
• Light & Views
• Community & Nature
• Cost Control
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12. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Air & Climate
Goal: Indoor Air Quality
Challenges:
• Heightened Sensitivity to Environmental & Airborne Toxins & Pollutants
• Susceptibility to Respiratory Ailments
• Prolonged Indoor Confinement
Solutions:
• Low-Emitting Building Materials with Limited or No:
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's)
• Formaldehyde
• Off-Gassing
• Carefully Selected Maintenance & Cleaning Products
• Ample Outside Make-up Air Utilizing Heat Exchange Technology to
Minimize Heat Loss
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Air & Climate
Goal: Indoor Air Quality
Paints
Adhesives Solvents
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13. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Air & Climate
Goal: Thermal Comfort
Challenges:
• Heightened Sensitivity to Temperature Extremes
• Vulnerability to Drafts
• Varying Individual Needs & Preferences
Solutions:
• Tight Building Envelope
• Ample Controlled Natural Ventilation
• Thoughtful HVAC Zoning
• Deliver Heat & Cooling Where It’s Needed
• Flexible, User-Friendly, Programmable HVAC Controls
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Air & Climate
Goal: Thermal Comfort Easy-to-Read
Easy to Read
Intuitive
Thermostats
Heat
Radiant
Recovery
Floors
Systems
13

14. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Light & Views
Goal: Visual Comfort
Challenges:
• Vision Impairments (e.g. Glaucoma, Cataracts, Macular Degeneration)
• Heightened Sensitivity to Glare
• Difficulty Adjusting to Changing Light Conditions
Solutions:
• Proper Orientation & Shading of Windows
• Bright yet Diffuse and Uniform Lighting
• Ample Controlled Daylight
• Glare-Free Indirect Light Fixtures
• Generous Task Lighting Where It’s Needed
• Flexible, User-Friendly, Programmable Lighting Controls
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Light & Views
Goal: Visual Comfort
Importance of Managing Glare
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15. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Light & Views
Goal: Visual Comfort
Use of Bright Diffuse Indirect Light
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Light & Views
Goal: Visual Comfort
Use of Sky Lights to Bring Daylight
Deeper into Buildings
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16. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Light & Views / Community & Nature
Goal: Orientation
Challenges:
• Dementia & “Sundowning”
• Prolonged Indoor Confinement
• Lack of Positive Sensory Stimulation (e.g. Contact with Nature)
Solutions:
• Generous Well-Placed Windows
• Visually (if not Physically) Accessible Plant & Animal Habitats
• Minimal Site Disturbance & Native Planting Materials
• Water Features
• Promotion of Biodiversity & Habitat
• Indoor Lighting Controls that Mimic Diurnal Cycles
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Light & Views / Community & Nature
Goal:
Orientation
Visual Connection with Outdoors
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17. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Community & Nature
Goal: Community
Challenges:
• Social Isolation
• Loneliness
• Depression
Solutions:
• Access to & Integration with Outside
Community
• Urban Infill & Redevelopment Sites
• Walkable Communities
• Improved Family, Caregiver, & Visitor Access
• Proximity to Downtown/Community Core Areas
• Provision for and Proximity to Alternate
Transportation Modes
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Cost Control
Goal: Controlling Facility Development Costs
Challenges:
• First-Cost Sensitivity
• Cash-Flow Concerns
• Limited Pre-Development Funds
• Dependence on Pre-Sales
Solutions:
• Building Re-Use (where applicable & practical)
Re Use
• Recycled Materials
• Minimize Construction Waste
• Local/Regional Material Sources
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18. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Cost Control
Goal: Controlling Facility Development Costs
Locally Recycling &
Sourced Construction
Materials Waste
Reduction
The Power of Green:
Construction Cost Savings
AVERAGE COST
OWNER for Public Elementary Schools, 2008
SAVING (Minneapolis, St. Paul, West Wisconsin Region)
AVERAGE COST
S
$185/sq ft for Public High Schools, 2006
(National)
HOFFMAN TPMg OWNER
$150/sq ft
SAVINGS
TOTAL PROJECT COST*
$166/sq ft
HOFFMAN TPMg
River Crest Elementar School
TOTAL PROJECT COST*
Northland Pines High School
$116/sq ft
ry
Eagle River, WI (2006)
Hudson, WI (2008)
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19. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
Operational Cost Control
Goal: Efficient & Economical Operations
p
Challenges:
• Owner/Operator-Borne Utility Expense
• Aging Physical Plants
• High Staff Turnover Rates
• Labor Intensive Operations
Solutions:
• Optimal Energy Efficiency
p gy y
• High-Efficiency Equipment
• Well-Designed Building Envelope
• Building Commissioning
• Life-Cycle Cost Analysis
• Efficient & Comfortable Working Environment
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
Renovation Strategies
• Increased Insulation
• Improved Weather-Tightness
• Roof Replacement
• Window Replacement
• Light Fixture & Component Replacement
• Higher Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures & Fittings
• HVAC Equipment Upgrades
• Enhanced HVAC & Lighting C t l
Eh d Li hti Controls
• Shading Devices
• Solar & Wind Energy Equipment Additions
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20. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
Sustainable Facility Operation
Ensure the Building Performs as Intended
Follow a practical re-commissioning process:
• Establish design intent and sequence of operations.
• Set up graphics and tables in the control system to track
energy use on a daily and monthly basis.
• Do functional testing.
• Review early months of operation and energy use / cost.
• Adjust building systems and operations to reach the
owner’s intent and the energy cost goals.
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
Operations & Maintenance
• Environmentally Friendly
Environmentally-Friendly Cleaning Products
• Low- or No-VOC Paints & Replacement Finishes
• Thermostat & Building Control System Upgrades
• Re-Lamping, Lens Cleaning, & Ballast Replacement
• Faulty Sensor Replacement
• HVAC System Re-Balancing
• Regular Filter Replacement
• Window Treatments & Films
• Recycling Programs
• Water Flow Restrictors
Pick the Low
Hanging Fruit!
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21. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
Building Use Strategies
• Utilization of Existing Space
• Downsizing
• Decommissioning
• Deconstruction
• Renovation/Remodeling
• New Construction
“Many engineers can build a
bridge, but the best ask if the
bridge should be built.”
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
What Can We Do Now?
• Find a Champion - “Creation Care Group”
Creation Group
• Long Range Planning
• Space Utilization Study- current and future use
• Hazardous Building Materials Assessment
• Aging/failing septic systems
• Leaking underground fuel oil tanks
• Abandoned wells
• Asbestos
• Ballast/Mercury
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22. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
What Can We Do Now?
• Perform an Energy Assessment
• Purchase Renewable Energy
• Wind
• Solar
• Hydro
• Biomass
• Switch to Low-emission and Fuel-efficient Vehicles
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
What Can We Do Now?
•Ei
Environmental R
t l Resource A
Assessment
t
• Preservation of Land/Open Space
• Conservation Easements
• Environmental Corridors
• Ponds/Streams
• Wetlands
• Woodlands
W dl d
• Steep Slopes
• Historic and Natural Features
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23. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
What Can We Do Now?
• Promote locally grown products
• Community gardens
• Organic gardening/farming
• Farmers market
• Heal the Land-Native vegetation restoration
• Organic, no-chemical lawn care
• Reduce mowed areas
“I’ve been mowing lawn for 20
years and I’m going to keep
mowing until I get it right.”
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
The Power of Green:
Opportunities to go Green
Whether
Wh th as…
• New Construction
• Renovation
• Operations & Maintenance
Be sure to always begin with…
• Sustainability Program & Goals
• Up to Date
Up-to-Date Information & Products
Consultant Team, including a LEED® AP
•
Your community will love it (and it’ll be good for you)!
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24. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Blending Religious Life
& Sustainable Design
VOILÀ!
QUESTIONS?
New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Blending Religious Life
& Sustainable Design
• For more information, please contact:
• PAT DEL PONTE – pdelponte@hoffman.net
• Project Manager, Senior Living Team
• or
• JULIE HEIBERGER – jheiberger@hoffman.net
• Project Architect, R li i
P j t A hit t Religious Lif T
Life Team
• or
• MARK HANSON – mhanson@hoffman.net
• Director of Sustainable Services
www.hoffman.net
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25. New Beginnings: EMERGING REALITIES
Related Sources / Tools
• “Going Green: Promoting Sustainability Within Your
Congregation”
• Energy Star for Congregations
• Green Greener Greenest - A Practical Guide to Making
Eco-Smart Choices
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