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2010 CTGBC Design Award Winners
November, 2009
Avon The CT Chapter of the US Green Building Council recently announced the winners of its Annual Design Award competition for excellence in high performance, intelligently designed and constructed, energy efficient green buildings. The awards were presented to local architects, designers, contractors and building owners whose outstanding achievements in sustainable building practices were recognized. The award jury included Steven Winter, President, Steven Winter Associates; Rick Warhall, Vice President, LEED Sustainability Coordinator, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company; Mark Loeffler, Director, Atelier Ten; Bob Wall , Director, Energy Market Initiatives, CT Clean Energy Fund; and chaired by Bruce Bockstael, Chief Architect at CT Department of Public Works.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Cheshire, CT - Green Advocate Award The CT Green Building Council recognized Alexion Pharmaceuticals as a company actively transforming the built environment while sharing their knowledge of green building and sustainable practices. They are advocates for the discovery that green is good for business while raising the bar for social equity in future developments.
The Kantor Residence - This Most Intriguing Residence seeking LEED Platinum certification is a remarkable example of a team approach to green building resulting in a home that incorporates cutting edge green homebuilding technologies. Lead by Mike and Chris Trolle of BPC Green Builders, the project has a list of sustainable features that is virtually endless including a master bath composting toilet, FSC certified wood siding and reclaimed wood cabinetry and flooring, recycled glass countertops, hand-made tiles made in New Hampshire from local clays, triple paned low-E glass windows, compact fluorescent and LED lighting fixtures, walls are natural plaster made from clays, sand and reclaimed marble, rainwater collected in cisterns and landscaped with 35,000 indigenous plants.
The Keithan Residence Killingworth CT - Most Intriguing Residential winner is a classic New England home, in a farm setting, with today’s modern systems and conveniences, all wrapped up into a home requiring Zero Energy. The residence is a 3,600 square foot single family home with a detached garage and barn which is under review to meet USGBC’s LEED for Homes highest rating of Platinum. The home displays a maximum number of energy efficient measures to attain the zero energy status.
Royal Bank of Scotland – Most Intriguing Commercial – This 500,000 square foot office complex in Stamford is the new US headquarters for RBS Americas and contains the world’s largest trading floor. According to Chris Riley, Vice President and Director of Public Affairs at RBS, the bank spared no expense when it came to greening the building, seeking LEED’s top certification. “It will be the largest such building in Connecticut, if not all of New England”. Roger Ferris + Partners incorporated numerous sustainable features into the building. Sited in close proximity to the Metro North Railroad station with a narrow and elongated plan configuration that take advantage of natural day-lighting, the complex boasts an urban courtyard/rooftop garden with grey-water collection for irrigation of native adaptive plant species. Operable louvers on the trading floor adjust automatically to the natural conditions while an interior daylight dimming system links to all office space lighting.
Commercial Storage Barn - Il Poggio LTD – Most Intriguing Commercial - The Barn was a delightful effort to make a statement about a storage barn, it had no pretense to attempt to obtain LEED since there was no heat involved, but the interior storage of the material handling equipment, and maintenance work space was lighted by translucent walls and ceilings allowing natural daylighting during the day and some solar PV mounted on the roof to generate whatever electrical power was needed for equipment and lighting at night. The idea was to display outdoor products on the outside of the building for customers viewing, illuminated at night by the interior lighting through the panels at night. A beautifully crafted and unique idea on how to store and maintain the materials that the company sells.
Connecticut Science Center – Most Intriguing Institutional - A wonderful LEED Gold certified building that stresses the importance of sustainable design, with an emphasis on energy savings throughout the building. Designed by renowned architects Pelli Clarke Pelli, the building, perched high above the Hartford skyline, captures the wonder of science as well as the city and state’s commitment to education and cultural enlightenment.
Kroon Hall – Yale University – Most Intriguing Institutional - Probably one of the most important buildings constructed in the past year, in the United States; this is truly a great design and demonstration of what can be done to provide a sustainable building. Kroon Hall Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies earned a LEED Platinum certification by the USGBC earning 59 points, or seven more than required for platinum standing. Kroon Hall was designed to use 81% less water and 58% less energy than a comparable building, and to generate 25% of its electricity on site from renewable sources. The building, sited on a previously developed location, displays a white façade and a partial green roof to combat urban heat island effect.
Stoeckel Hall – Yale University – Most Intriguing Institutional - A wonderful total renovation and extensive exterior terra cotta restoration of a classic building on the Yale campus, demonstrates the ability to provide a sustainable environment within an existing structure and earned the building a LEED Gold certification. The availability of public transportation as well as water conservation initiatives in addition to high efficiency lighting, control ventilations and hot water pump loops, re-using 90% of the walls and floors and recycling 80 % of the waste materials contributed to earning the building’s LEED certification. Originally built in 1897, the building currently houses the School of Music. The restoration included a 4 story classroom, computer lab and practice room addition.
Rogers International Magnet School – Most Intriguing Institutional - A splendid teaching environment, the ability to achieve a sustainable building within the confines of the State of Connecticut education guidelines is demonstrated to all CT communities that it can be achieved. Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy was quoted as saying of the project, “The decision to build green is an extension of the Environmental theme for the curriculum of the school”. The two story wing of classrooms was designed to maximize daylight , while the media center, cafeteria, gymnasium and theater are house in a second wing covered by a planted green roof. An outstanding feature of the school is a unique rain garden built in the former Clairol headquarters building foundation which in addition to bio-swales provides onsite storm-water filtrations. The captured rainwater will provide irrigation for the extensively planted green roof. Efficient fluorescent lighting augments daylighting with the use of dimmers. Some of the building’s energy needs will be met by the photovoltaic solar panels and wind turbine.
Armour Academic Center, Westminster School – Honorable Mention - A classic example of architecture that is thoughtful and carefully designed to fit into the campus yet provide the benefits of a sustainable environment. The 95,000 square foot LEED Gold building includes a humanities wing and a math and science wing surrounding a center glass atrium. The center achieved its LEED rating through the use of a large scale geothermal heat exchange system as well as a high capacity ventilation system providing fresh air to all classrooms for an improved learning environment. Highly efficient mechanical systems, water efficient plumbing fixtures and low emitting paints, finishes and carpet as well as recycled content building materials all contributed to the LEED Gold designation.
Chase Tallwood Technical Center, Kingswood Oxford School– Honorable Mention - Founded in 1909, the Kingswood Oxford School is located in West Hartford. Key to the sustainability of their technical building was its siting. Rather than using a more typical available open space the decision was made to utilize the existing space between several buildings and not disturb virgin land. The new math and science building, Chase Tallwood Technical Center, was beautifully crafted to bridge a series of campus buildings into a functioning unit that serves the entire school. The use of abundant natural light in the building’s design and the reconfiguration of an existing energy system from an adjacent structure as a baseline heat source and then converting that source to both heating and cooling with a heat exchanger, work to reduce the usage of electrical power.
July 24, 2010
Tyre Studio One of Five Finalists For Design Competition
Michael Tyre, LEED AP of Tyre Studio in Brooklyn, NY and a friend of buildingctgreen.com has announced that his design entry has been selected as one of five finalists for the Fort Tilden Field House international design competition. The open ideas competition called for the design of a new field house and surrounding sports fields and courts at the decommissioned Fort Tilden military base in Queens, NY.
To find out more about Michael's entry, visit the design competition's web site.
June, 2010
Energy Cost Savings with Eco Attic Guard
Simply put folks, radiant barrier attic insulation works!
Eco Attic Guard is a factory-certified installer of radiant barrier attic insulation in the Avon, CT area, serving all of Connecticut. Eco Attic Guard offers this innovative insulation solution that helps reduce your home energy bills. Using radiant barrier technology, we offer a practical, affordable product and top quality service. Our licensed and insured company services residential and commercial properties. Save on heating and cooling costs with our affordable, maintenance-free attic insulation.
Our Product Features and Benefits:
Reduce your home energy bills by 17% - 23%
Retain 93% of the heat in your home during the winter
Reduce the wear and tear of AC and heating systems
ENERGY STAR® RATED
Works all year round
Retrofit to your existing fiberglass insulation
Virtually eliminates ice damming problems
"Simply put folks, radiant barrier attic insulation works! I’ve installed dozens of barriers in my customer’s homes and have had nothing but praise," states Bill Brown, Owner, Eco Attic Guard. "I have this in my home and the difference is amazing! It’s the single most cost effective solution towards reducing your energy bills. You could invest 25k on energy star windows or invest in a radiant barrier for a fraction of the cost and get the same results."
The radiant barrier technology lends a giant umbrella effect shading your home during the summer. During the winter, the insulation keeps you warm and comfortable by reflecting the heat generated within the home back down to your living space. Give Eco Attic a call to take advantage of the 30% Government Tax Credit for 2010.
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Call Eco Attic Guard today at 860-967-3988 for a free estimate and demonstration.
April, 2010
First Net-Zero Energy Home in Connecticut
Consulting Engineering Services (CES) is a MEP engineering firm that is wholeheartedly committed to sustainable design and has a very strong “practice what you preach” mentality. In December 2008, President and CEO of CES, George V. Keithan, Jr. decided to commit to fostering an entirely new life-style and design the first Net Zero Energy Home in Connecticut, which coincidentally would become his family’s private residence. With the hard work of CES employees designing the MEP systems, J. W. Huber Architect LLC and Essex Squared LLC and numerous contractors, the home was completed in November 2009 and is the first Net Zero Energy Home in Connecticut.
The modest New England farm house style home sits at the end of an 800-foot driveway on a secluded 14 acre lot in Killingworth, CT. Accompanying this home is a post and beam barn, chicken coop and detached barn style garage. The property will serve as a working organic vegetable farm and tree farm. The roof of the barn is where the 65 solar photovoltaic panels are installed that will provided all of the electrical power for the residence. On the roof of the main house are 10 solar hot water panels for heating the domestic hot water. Altogether these panels will generate 20,000 kwhr/yr of electricity. The house also has a water-to-water standing column Geothermal HVAC system that will also be used for the domestic water well.
The interior of the home has a soft elegance with its combination of modern technology and understated farmhouse details. When the rooms aren’t being filled with natural light they are lit with LED fixtures and the paint, woodwork, flooring and cabinets were all chosen because they emit low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Many of the finishing details throughout the home come from recycled materials; reused countertops from old homes, an old barn door installed on a slider to hide the LED television, recycled doors for the interior rooms and recycled slate for the window sills.
Paperwork has been submitted to register this residence as LEED® for Homes Platinum certified - the highest of the nationally accepted benchmarks developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The home also meets the requirements of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund Net Zero Challenge.
March, 2010
Tall Properties To Build New Green Office Condominiums
Tall Properties Development Company is moving ahead rapidly with Centerpoint Connecticut - green, Class A office condominiums for sale or lease, opportunistically located along the Interstate-91 corridor, this seven building campus offers units ranging in size from 700 to 12,000 square feet. Centerpoint Connecticut offers an exciting and much demanded opportunity for small business owners and professional practices: the premiere green office development that promotes a healthy environment and a healthy bottom line.
Founded on quality building design and environmental stewardship, this innovative green office project is a progressive model of commercial real estate development. Registered with the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® program at the Silver level, Centerpoint Connecticut has been designed by the architectural firm Tyre Studio to “integrate sustainable building technologies and practices to generate a project that offers extremely high energy efficiency and healthy working environments.” Each building will have solar panel arrays on the roof that produce 25 KW of power annually. The project will employ Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology for the heating and cooling system which provides exceptional energy efficiency while accommodating a wide range of occupants within a single building. Rain water from the building roofs will be harvested and used to irrigate all of the on-site landscaping. The collective green features of Centerpoint Connecticut provide an estimated 40% savings on energy consumption and 70% reduction in water usage.
As office condominiums, Centerpoint Connecticut provides an alternative for business owners who have been frustrated managing their never ending rent expense. Office ownership allows the business owner to build equity, enjoy significant income tax savings through depreciation write-offs, and benefit from real estate appreciation. Traditionally Connecticut small business owners have been excluded from these benefits - until now. Similar to the benefits of owning a home, business office ownership adds an important asset to a company’s balance sheet and offers numerous tax advantages.
For an exciting tour of this project and contact information, please visit www.centerpointCT.com.
Tall Properties, LLC is an innovative development company focused on creating exciting and sustainable real estate solutions for Connecticut’s communities.
Other Recent Green Building News
November, 2009
Starwood Moving Headquarters to Connecticut
Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell recently announced that Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. will relocate its global corporate headquarters to Stamford, bringing millions of dollars in investments and 800 jobs to the state.
“For months I have worked with Starwood executives and my economic development team to make this deal – and the jobs and investments it brings – a reality for the people of our state,” Governor Rell said. “I am thrilled to see a company of Starwood’s stature make the business decision to move here and invest here. It is a triumph for Connecticut – and it speaks volumes about what our state has to offer businesses.”
The company’s move from White Plains, New York, to Stamford’s waterfront Harbor Point development is planned for January 2012. Harbor Point is already home to major employers such as Pitney Bowes and Deloitte & Touche. The company’s new headquarters will be certified under the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards program.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts is one of the world’s leading hotel and leisure companies, with 982 hotels in nearly 100 countries and nine renowned brands including Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis and W Hotels. Plans call for Starwood to partner with the landlord to invest $40 million into renovating the existing facility.
The company, which plans to occupy 250,000 square feet of space by January 2012, will create more than 800 full-time Connecticut-based positions within two years. Newmark Knight Frank’s Neal Golden, Ross Perlman and John Goodkind represented Starwood Hotels in the transaction.
The Department of Economic and Community Development will assist the project with a $9.5 million loan and up to $75 million in Urban and Industrial Site Reinvestment Tax Credits. In addition, Starwood expects to receive up to $5 million in sales tax exemptions on building materials through the Connecticut Development Authority. The exemption is subject to approval by CDA’s Board of Directors.
Norwalk Starts Building Green wastewater Treatment Plant
The Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) for the city of Norwalk recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its $37 million - Phase 1 Upgrade to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. When fully completed, the Norwalk WPCF will be a leader in the State of Connecticut's goal of improving the quality of Long Island Sound through the substantial reduction in the discharge of harmful nutrients and improved water quality.
Mayor Richard Moccia opened the ceremony, stating, "This facility is the first phase of a multi-year project to upgrade our wastewater treatment plant."
"This is an increase in our pretreatment capacity of over 3 times what we currently have available and significantly improves our ability to treat wastewater during wet weather events" said Darren Oustafine, WPCA Chairman. "Although our plant runs exceptionally and well below permit limits, we - as a board and in partnership with our city staff - are continually seeking ways to improve this treatment plant's operation."
Collectively referred to as the plant's "headworks", this phase includes main lift pumping and grit and screens removal to treat a peak flow of up to 90 million gallons per day. The new facility will also provide improved treatment for the extraneous flow the plant receives during wet weather events. A major highlight of the project will be the construction of a 25-foot+ deep structure supported by hundreds of concrete piles in complex soil conditions. The project also includes a number of "green" initiatives including premium efficiency motors, high efficiency fluorescent lighting, a building structure that will meet or exceed the current insulation requirements set forth by the Connecticut State Building Code, and an innovative "Solarwall" that will use solar energy to reduce the building's heating requirements.
This upgrade is being financed through the State of Connecticut's Clean Water Fund. The city of Norwalk will receive over $14 million in grants and almost $22 million in low-interest loans for its construction.
Watkinson School Unveils First In New England Energy-Neutral Classroom Building
By Katie Novak
On Saturday, October 24th Watkinson School unveiled the much-anticipated energy-neutral, sustainable, and first-of-its-kind building in New England: The Center for Science and Global Citizenship designed by San Francisco's Project FROG. Members of Watkinson’s Science Department gave demonstrations of the “smart” building, describing the building’s form and function.
John Bracker, Watkinson’s head of school, announced, “The Center for Science and Global Citizenship represents an important step in our efforts to challenge the traditional orthodoxy of how a building comes together, the role it can play in teaching about sustainability and the curriculum material at hand. Just imagine what’s possible when a building is as smart and dynamic as the students and faculty who live in it” Every aspect of this new Center for Science and Global Citizenship is a teaching tool. Project FROG has set the industry standard for smart buildings – buildings that exceed strict criteria for energy performance, technology performance, user performance and the crucial nexus between them. To be truly “smart,” smart buildings must also be flexible, adaptable, affordable and quick to deploy – all while minimizing the building’s impact on the environment. All of these facts, along with the design elements of the building — such as geothermal power, solar panels, recycled redwood siding, photovoltaic panels, and advanced sensors — will provide extraordinary teaching and learning opportunities for members of Watkinson’s community.
Watkinson now has the classrooms of the future, incorporating the ideal learning environment into the greenest, most sustainable commercial building solution available. The three, 1,280 square foot smart classrooms feature 75 percent energy-demand reduction, abundant natural light and glare control, superior air quality, fungible user technology, microclimate customization and advanced climate controls in an easy to configure package. Constructed of renewable recyclable materials, the Center for Science and Global Citizenship generates more energy within its footprint than is required to operate its systems. To support the linked but diverse curricula of science and global studies, the three classrooms are adaptable to lecture, seminars, and lab-style instruction. Complete with intelligent technology systems and spaces that encourage collaboration, this is a space designed for growing ideas, an incubator for the future. Watkinson plans to host community events for students in the area to tour the building and attend workshops in the new space. Additionally, SPHERE, Watkinson's free summer camp for Hartford children, will utilize the building in their academic programs this summer.
Katie is Associate Director of Admissions & Communications at Watkinson School
Connecticut Green Building Update
October 26, 2009
Avon Old Farms School recently unveiled the largest solar installation at a private school in New England. The 205kW solar electric system was installed by Connecticut-based Alteris Renewables, recently ranked the fastest growing renewable energy company in the Northeast. As the third party owner of the solar panels, EOS Ventures financed the system enabling Avon to go solar without the usual large upfront capital investment. Additional financial support from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) was secured for this project.
According to the U.S. Green Building Council's Web site, recent LEED® certified projects include Kohl’s Department Store in Waterbury, Conn., Citi Global Wealth Management offices in, Stamford, Conn., The U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center in New London, Conn., and two buildings at the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn., both at the Gold Level.
The Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven officially opened this past week (October 20) and is among the most expensive buildings ever built in New England. At 14 stories tall, the cost was $467 million. The structure is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program.
Governor M. Jodi Rell has announced a $1.8M construction contract to build the new campus of Gateway Community College in downtown New Haven. The project, located on Church Street in the heart of downtown at the sites of the former Macy’s and Malley’s department stores, is expected to gain approval when the state Bond Commission meets later this month. The new campus hopes to be the state's first certified LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) public building at the Gold level.
NuCompass Mobility Services, based in Pleasanton, Calif., has opened an office at 40 Danbury Road, moving its East Coast operations and nearly 30 employees from Glover Avenue in Norwalk. The Wilton complex is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program and hopes to achieve a Gold ranking.
CCEF Launches New Solar Thermal Program
October 17, Hartford, Conn. - Governor M. Jodi Rell has announced the state is dedicating $4 million in federal stimulus funds to help homeowners and businesses pay for the installation of solar-powered hot water heating systems, an investment that will lower utility bills and promote the use of alternative fuels.
“I am proud of Connecticut’s leadership in promoting and using greener, cleaner technology,” Governor Rell said. “This incentive will help hundreds of families and businesses make the switch to renewable energy by saving them money on installation costs and ultimately their hot water bills. It would also be a much-needed boost in business for those who sell and install these systems.”
The incentive program will be administered by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF). CCEF officials say there is enough funding available to support installations of 600 residential solar heating systems and about 120 non-residential systems. The systems can supply up to 80 percent of a customer’s annual hot water needs.
“We are excited to be launching this brand new solar initiative,” CCEF President Lise Dondy said. “The Solar Thermal Incentive Program will be CCEF’s third solar initiative and will dovetail nicely with our existing solar lease and rebate programs. Connecticut residents will now have several incentive options to choose from to help them ‘go solar.’”
For more information about the Solar Thermal Incentive Program, visit the CCEF's web site, call (860)563-0015 or e-mail solarthermal@ctcleanenergy.com.
401 Merritt Corporate Park Gets LEED® Certification
September 24, Norwalk, Conn. - Merritt 7 Corporate Park in Norwalk has achieved LEED® EB certification as established by the U.S. Green Building Council(USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) for one of the six buildings within the 1.4 million square foot Class-A office park, announced Albert D. Phelps (ADP), managing and leasing agent for the complex.
By achieving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification, 401 Merritt 7 is the first existing commercial office building in the state of Connecticut to become LEED certified under the USGBC’s existing building rating system, and joins a select group of sustainable and innovative buildings nationwide. The LEED certification is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance, environmentally sound, green buildings. Building 401 qualified for LEED Green Building certification at the Silver level.
Through a collaborative effort between ADP and ING Clarion Partners, an investment advisor to the property owner, Merritt 7 has made a firm commitment toward environmental stewardship, and has taken numerous actions over a several year period to make the complex more sustainable and energy efficient.
"401 Merritt 7’s energy-efficient and sustainable redesign and upgrades exemplifies what we hope become the standard for commercial assets in the region and across the nation," said Keith A. Crosby, LEED AP, Vice President Construction, ADP Service Corp. "By showcasing the building's innovative HVAC systems as well as water and lighting conservation initiatives, 401 Merritt 7 is helping illustrate to area businesses the benefits of high-performance buildings." ADP Service Corporation spearheaded the LEED Certification process on behalf of the property.
401 Merritt 7 achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
LEED Certification of 401 Merritt 7 was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:
· Energy Star rating of 97%
· 100% Green Power Purchased
· Water use reduction through conversion to low flow toilets and waterless urinals
· Waste Reduction & Integrated Occupant Recycling program resulting in a 89% recycling rate
· Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Program
· Green Site and Building Exterior Management Program
· Comprehensive maintenance team training program
· Best practices equipment preventative maintenance program
· Car Pooling & Telecommuting policy
· Alternative fuel vehicle preferred parking
· Indoor Air Quality Program
· Construction, demolition and renovation waste management program
· Indoor chemical and pollutant source control program
· Low mercury containing light bulb policy
· Green Cleaning Policy
· Integrated pest management program
· Low environmental impact cleaning equipment policy
· Sustainable cleaning products and materials policy
· Increased outside air introduction policy
· On staff LEED Accredited Professional
“We are thrilled to receive this much sought-after and prestigious certification, especially since Merritt 7 has been operational for more than 25 years,” said JoAnn Brennan-McGrath, Director of Leasing for Merritt 7 Corporate Park. "Creating a LEED-certified work environment is responsible to the environment, good for business and most importantly, great for our tenant base, their employee morale and productivity,"
Merritt 7 Corporate Park tenant, Teresa S. Polley, President of the Financial Accounting Foundation commented on the LEED certification. “The Financial Accounting Foundation, an original tenant at 401 Merritt 7, congratulates AD Phelps for this prestigious award,” she said. “Our internal `green team’ has maintained a strategic approach of working in partnership with AD Phelps management in identifying environmental initiatives that can be implemented by a tenant, while AD Phelps takes responsibility for the larger, building-wide programs. This partnership has been a win-win which we intend to continue."
Merritt 7 has been widely recognized for its energy conservation efforts. The property received 2008 Green Building of the Year award by the Westchester/Fairfield County Chapter of NAIOP; the 2007 Office Building of the Year by the Southern Conn. Chapter of BOMA; the Southwest Connecticut Summer Energy Savers Award; was awarded EPA’s 2008 Green Power Purchasing Award; was ranked as one of 25 properties on the EPA’S Green Power Partnership list; and became the first office park in Conn. to earn the EPA’s ENERGY STAR rating.
Merritt 7 also received the Environmental Stewardship Award from the Northeast Energy Efficiency Council – Conn. chapter (NEEC-CT) and Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P); and was recognized by Conn. Governor M. Jodi Rell and Joseph F. Marie, commissioner, Conn. Department of Transportation, with an award for outstanding support of the “Tri-State Five Million Mile Rideshare Challenge.”
“This achievement underscores the success of our extensive capital improvement program which focused on maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing water consumption as well as our firm commitment to protecting the environment and contributing to the green building movement ,” said Margaret Egan, Senior Vice President of ING Clarion Partners LLC. “We’re honored to have the first office building in Connecticut to become LEED-EB certified.”
Merritt 7 Corporate Park is owned by Merritt 7 Venture L.L.C., a joint venture between New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS), and Fairfield Investors, Inc. ING Clarion Partners, LLC, a leading U.S. real estate investment manager, is an investment advisor to NYSTRS.
Source: Merritt 7 Corporate Park
Recent Green Building News
By buildingctgreen.com staff
August, 2009 - Several projects have recently registered with the U. S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) program. Those applying for Existing Buildings/Operation and Maintenance (LEED EB and O&M) catagory include, Diageo's North America offices at 801 Main Street in Norwalk, One State Street in Hartford and the Pickwick Plaza in Greenwich. New Construction (LEED-NC) projects include the new Price Chopper supermarket in Middletown and a new building at the Bradley Air National Guard Base in East Granby. The PSEG Bridgeport Training Facility has registered for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI).
Several Hartford law firms have announced staff that have earned LEED® Professional Accreditation. Pepe & Hazard has announced that two attorneys, Gary O’Connor and Jean Perry Phillips, have earned the U. S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental (LEED®) Accreditation. Shipman & Goodwin, with offices throughout Connecticut, has announced that Attorney Matt Ranelli, has passed the LEED® Professional Accreditation exam. According to Pepe and Hazard's press release, only three percent of those earning this designation nationally are in the legal profession and, as of this announcement, only 16 legal professionals in Connecticut have obtained it.
Carrier Corp., headquartered in Farmington, CT and a world leader in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR), was awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification for its Charlotte, NC Chiller Operation plant. This is one of eleven manufacturing facilities in the world to achieve LEED® status for existing buildings (LEED-EB) and one of the first two United Technologies Corp. factories (both Carrier sites) to achieve this status.
Governor M. Jodi Rell announced in July that the North Stonington-based Inn at Lower Farm, the Saybrook Point Inn and Spa and Cromwell Crowne Plaza are the first hotels to be certified for a new program that allows Connecticut hotels, motels and other lodging owners to market their businesses as green. Connecticut Green Lodging—Accommodating You and Our Environment is a program to encourage – and recognize – lodge owners who implement environmentally friendly practices, such as taking steps to conserve energy and water and using toxic free cleaning products.
Managing C & D Debris - A Green Building Mindset
By Sherill Baldwin
I attend a lot of Green Drinks events in Connecticut; not because I’m thirsty, but because it gives me an opportunity to meet a lot of green builders. I attend because I’m trying to increase the reuse and recycling of construction and demolition debris in Connecticut.
One such effort is the Materials Reuse Network/deconstruction (MRN) facilitated by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. MRN is a group of professionals interested in building materials reuse who want to increase deconstruction activities in Connecticut. More deconstruction will increase reuse and recovery efforts of construction, renovation and demolition materials and surplus/salvaged goods in Connecticut. The group meets mostly monthly and all interested in deconstruction are welcome, to join contact me at sherill.baldwin@ct.gov.
MRN consists of: deconstructors, builders, colleges, educators, consultants, demolition businesses, building contractors, environmental activists, and the 7 building materials reuse centers located in Connecticut. Learn more about how you can buy or donate/sell used building materials at Reuse Centers and Material Exchanges.
Like demolition, deconstruction involves dismantling a building. Unlike demolition, however, deconstruction’s focus is reuse of the materials. Buildings undergo a “construction in reverse” - requiring similar skills to building; an understanding and awareness of how a home is put together in order to take it apart. Deconstruction activities can occur before a standard demolition, in conjunction with demolition, or fully replace demolition. We have a small number of deconstruction professionals in CT – but we need more!
Current barriers do exist, however, and one of them is our mindsets. We need to look at buildings differently. We need to recognize they have value as resources, as well as recognize the energy embodied in all resources. And I’m talking more than the fireplace mantle or the bathtub. It includes cabinets, molding, flooring, plumbing or electrical fixtures, HVAC equipment, floor joists, rafters etc.
In Connecticut, it is estimated that we generate 1.8 million Tons of C & D debris annually. We don’t have the best data for what is recovered, but what we do know, is only an estimated 7% of C & D sent to volume reduction facilities (VRFs) is recycled (VRFs receive an estimated 1.09 million Tons of C & D material)*. The remaining materials are crushed, shredded or chipped (i.e. volume reduced) and shipped to Ohio or some other state that still has landfill space. We’re sending our problem to the Midwest.
But we can do better. Neighboring states are able to separate recyclables at the jobsite – for reuse and recycling. Intrigued? Great sites to learn more about recycling markets include NYS Recycling Markets Database and NERC’s Markets Resources for Recycling Industries (pdf).
In Connecticut, we’re working on a listing of facilities that will accept C & D debris for reuse and recycling and will hopefully be published on DEP’s website early Fall 2009. In the mean time, to learn more about different recycling markets or to be added to the Materials Recycling Network/deconstruction e-distribution list, please contact Sherill Baldwin or 860.424.3440.
About Sherill Baldwin: Sherill is an Environmental Analyst at CT DEP in the Source Reduction and Recycling Program in Hartford.
* State of Connecticut Solid Waste Management Plan: Amended December 2006
Recent Activity Shows Up-Tick in Green Building Projects
Buildingctgreen.com staff
Maybe its stimulus money or maybe it’s the anticipation of possible state and federal tax breaks or maybe the price is right but if you’re like some folks out there who think the down economy has had a negative impact on the growth of Connecticut’s green building portfolio, guess again. For starters, the state now has over 150 registered green buildings with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program and may see 200 by the end of 2009. There has also been other investments and activities in commercial energy projects that add to the optimism that the commercial real estate market and the economy is about to bounce back. The following is a summary of recent green building news.
On the commercial side, Centerpoint Connecticut has registered seven commercial office buildings at its Industrial Park road campus in Middletown with the U.S. GBC’s LEED® program. Other commercial properties registering this month and in late May include: Greenwich Office Park in Greenwich which has registered at just over 425,000 square feet; The Whole Foods Market stores in Darien and Fairfield have join the Milford store and are seeking LEED® status.
There have also been several government/military structures that have registered for LEED certification. Among them, the Camp Rell Regional Training Institute in Niantic, the Indoor Small Arms Range at the Naval Sub Base in New London, the Submarine Learning Center at the Naval Sub Base in Groton and the CT BRAC Armed Forces Reserve Center in Newtown.
Schools that have recently submitted registered projects with the LEED® program include the Joyner Learning Center at Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted, the Lyme-Old Lyme High School, University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington
Hartford now has two green tourist attractions. The Mark Twain House Museum was the first Museum in the country to obtain LEED® certification. Earlier this month, the Connecticut Science Center officially opened and according to USA Today, is being touted as the East Coast's largest new attraction. The Cesar Pelli-designed $164 million has applied for the silver level status from the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program.
GE Capital Real Estate announced earlier this month it earned the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® certification for its headquarters in Norwalk, CT. The investment group occupies a large chunk of space in an eight-story, 350,000-square-foot building on the Merritt River Campus.
The Builders Association of Eastern Connecticut (BAEC) has been awarded a grant from the National Housing Endowment Fund to produce a new section on its baec.net Web site dedicated to educating the public and building industry professionals about building green. The Salem-based BAEC is a nonprofit professional trades association serving New London and Windham counties.
The Pike Company, with offices in Kensington, Connecticut, has announced that Project Superintendent Ed Oloff has earned his Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accreditation from the Green Building Certification Institute.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has completed the installation of a 295 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the company’s Cheshire, Conn., corporate headquarters and research facility. Approximately 9% of the facility’s total electrical needs will be provided by the solar installation, which is expected to produce more than 329,000 kWh of power annually, resulting in an estimated reduction of 380,000 lbs of CO2 emissions per year. Two buildings on Alexion's campus are also registered with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® program
BRIO54 LLC, an innovative young prefab firm, with offices in Milford, Connecticut, are promoting a fresh, unique, modern green lifestyle has announced the official release of their first modern green hybrid home.
The Siemon Company’s Watertown, CT Corporate Headquarters and North American Manufacturing Campus, has "flipped the switch" on a new, state-of-the-art 217KW solar power array. Siemon’s new solar power system was implemented to reduce the manufacturing operation's dependence on non-renewable energy sources and will provide a significant yearly greenhouse gas reduction of 159 metric tons - equivalent to the annual output of 30 automobiles or 21 homes.
The Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission earlier this month approved a windmill proposal, from Poulsen Hybrid LLC, of 6 Waterview Drive, Shelton. The structure’s blades will be 15 feet in diameter and it will be used to power the plant’s lights, said Frank Kuchinski, the company’s vice president of Marketing.
According to the New Haven Independent, New Haven developer Bruce Becker has announced that because of the new Green Tax Credit Bill that awaits Governor Rells signature, his project, 360 State (aka Shartenberg project) would give him the chance to shoot beyond the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Silver standard and go for the highest level, Platinum.
Recent Green Building Activities in Connecticut
Over the last several months, the building industry hasn’t had much to cheer about but there has been some “green sprouts” of activity here and there. The following is an update on some recent news regarding green building activities in Connecticut.
Lynne Panagotopulos, LEED® AP and Co-chair of the Connecticut Emerging Green Builders (CT EGB), has been named a regional representative (Upper Northeast) to the Emerging Green Builders National Committee. Administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, the CT EGB is a young professionals organization which strives to increase awareness in green buildings through education and community outreach.
Late last month, BMW of Ridgefield and Keystone Aviation @ OXC both registered their new construction projects with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program and seven Stop & Shop stores in Connecticut received LEED® certification. Store locations include East Lyme, Fairfield, Glastonbury, North Berlin, Rocky Hill, Southbury and South Windsor. A total of seven homes in Connecticut have also registered for the LEED® for Homes program. And Seasons Federal Credit Union’s Meriden Branch became the first financial institution building in Connecticut to receive LEED® Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
New green building projects recently announced include the new Gateway campus in downtown New Haven which hopes to achieve the Gold level of LEED certification and the new facility being built by AMGRAPH Packaging in Versailles Connecticut that will be built to LEED standards. Also, the Hartford Business Journal is reporting that AI Engineers President Abul Islam has announced that he has teamed with a New York commercial mortgage broker to secure construction and permanent financing for the proposed $40 million office building in downtown Hartford. The project is hoping to achieve the LEED Platinum level.
Several notable recent solar installations include Wee Burn Country Club’s new 85.5 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system which is the first solar PV installation at a country club in Connecticut and a 200 kW system at HoneyCell Inc. in Shelton, Conn., the first commercial solar system in Shelton. In addition, two medical offices recently turned to solar energy. Brooklawn Dental Associates in Bridgeport, Conn., and Mansfield Family Practice in Mansfield, Conn., have completed and are successfully operating new solar PV systems.
A new green building group was formed recently. Last month the Connecticut chapter of the Emerging Green Builders was launched at an Earth Day community garden clean-up event in downtown Hartford. This young professionals organization is administered by the U.S. Green Building Council ( U.S. GBC) and overseen by the Connecticut Green Building Council, the official state chapter of U.S. GBC.
Lastly, the April 2009 issue of Business Officer Magazine had an article that showcased Norwalk Community College and the school’s $40 million Health and Science Center. The article highlighted the critical role the NCC Foundation Inc. played in raising funds from community donors to bridge a $15 million shortfall in building dollars. The building has registered for LEED certification.
New Study Calls For Change to Meet Global Energy Targets
Hartford, Conn., May 4 – In the most rigorous study ever on the subject, The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) demonstrates how to achieve a 60 percent reduction in the energy use of buildings by 2050 to help meet global climate change targets.
To reach ambitious carbon footprint reduction goals set by the widely recognized Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the building sector must undergo a transformation toward greater energy efficiency through a combination of public policies, technological innovation, informed customer choices, and smart business decisions. Supported by specific implementation steps, this is the central message from the WBCSD’s Energy Efficiency in Buildings report, “Transforming the Market: Energy Efficiency in Buildings.”
United Technologies Corp. and Lafarge which co-chaired the study, presented the report in Paris last week at the Alliance to Save Energy’s EE Global Forum and Exposition. The report was also released in Washington, D.C., and Beijing.
“Buildings worldwide account for a surprisingly high 40 percent of global energy consumption and the resulting carbon footprint, significantly exceeding those of all transportation combined. Large and attractive opportunities to reduce energy use in buildings exist,” said UTC Chairman George David. “Differing markedly from other sectors and carbon abatement mechanisms, energy efficiency technologies and products for buildings exist today. We have the capacity to reduce the carbon footprints of buildings by half over a decade and with reasonable financial returns,” he added.
The project took a data intense and financially and market driven approach to understanding the barriers to reduced energy use, based on the most detailed view ever of the current state of energy demand in buildings. Researchers analyzed energy use by building type for hundreds of millions of existing and new buildings projected out to 2050 and accounting for differences such as climate, fuel type, and building design. Refined through an extensive simulation model, the study showed market responses to various combinations of financial, technical, behavioral, and policy options, identifying the optimum mix to achieve transformation for each market studied.
Full details of the EEB proposed “transformation roadmap” for the building sector can be found in the report, available in English on the World Business Council for Sustainable Development website at www.wbcsd.org. A printed copy and multiple language versions will also be available over the coming months.
Source: United Technologies Corporation
Connecticut Zero Energy Challenge 2009-2010
Background:
The Zero Energy Challenge is a Connecticut residential design and build competition that is jointly sponsored by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF). Eligible homes must be completed between April 17th, 2009 and December 1, 2010. Winners of the Challenge will be announced at the conclusion of the Challenge (December 2010 or first quarter 2011).
Purpose of the Program:
The Zero Energy Challenge seeks to identify, encourage and promote builders and developers of super high efficiency (near zero energy) homes in Connecticut in order to demonstrate that building to this level of efficiency is achievable today and to become better informed about what it takes to get there.
Program Summary:
The CEEF Zero Energy Challenge will be a design and build competition for single and multi-family homes in Connecticut that are completed in 2009 through 2010. Homes will be rated based on RESNET Rating Standards and receive a HERS Index (i.e. a performance score). Since the HERS Index is based on the presence of energy efficient features that seek to curb overall energy use, the home(s) with the lowest HERS Index will determine the participants and winner(s) of the competition. Participants will be competing for cash prizes. Additional benefits for program participants will include peer recognition, exposure to media and other promotional opportunities, and various forms of technical assistance provided by the program sponsors. A website will be designed, which will highlight and promote the participating projects. This program is based in large part on a similar competition currently underway in Massachusetts. Information on the Massachusetts program can be found at http://www.zechallenge.com/
Program Sponsors:
Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund. Participating utilities include:
Connecticut Light and Power
The United Illuminating Company
Yankee Gas Services Company
Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation
The Southern Connecticut Gas Company
Connecticut Clean Energy Fund
Program Partners:
Home Energy Rating System (HERS) providers
Insulation Contractors
AIA/Design Professionals
Connecticut Heating and Cooling Contractors Association (CHCC)
Home Building Organizations (HBAs)
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA)
Energy Conservation Management Board (ECMB)
Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC)
Timeline:
March 4 - Program formally announced via rollout meeting and directly to Program Partners
March 9 - Application process begins
May 1 - Applications are due
May 15 - Short-list (i.e. finalists) is announced. MOUs are signed.
December 1, 2010 - Due date for completion, final inspection and final HERS Index due
December 8, 2010 - Winner(s) announced
Applications must be submitted on or before April 17th. Questions and submissions should be addressed to:
Homes built in UI territory:Diane Damino
Zero Energy Challenge Zero Energy Challenge
66 Curtis St. 157 Church Street MS 1-6B
Email: diane.damino@uinet.com
Phone: 203-499-2843
Fax: 203-499-2800
Homes built in CL&P or Yankee Gas territory:
Justin Lindenmayer New Britain, CT 06052 New Haven, CT 06510
Email: lindejm@nu.com
Phone: 860-832-4915
Fax: 860-832-4700
March, 2009
January Green Building Update
Buildingctgreen.com staff
According to the U.S. Green Building Council's Web site, the ESPN Child Care Center has registered this month in the LEED New Construction 2.2. program. More LEED news. Seasons Federal Credit Union, which is headquartered in Middletown, CT, recently opened a branch in Meriden and it's one of the first LEED registered financial institutions in the State. Seasons is also offering a quarter point discount on loan rates for hybrid vehicles. And a little more. The new Darien Library opened on January 10, claiming its place as the first LEED Gold library building in New England. The 54,000 square foot, three-story building, designed by Peter Gisolfi Associates with elements of New England charm, is double the size of its predecessor but is designed to use same amount of energy.
Jonathan Rose Companies, LLC, a green real estate development, planning, consulting and investment firm, has announced that a joint venture of the Rose Smart Growth Investment Fund I, L.P. and Hurley 45-55 Church Street, LLC, an affiliate of The Hurley Group, have acquired 45-55 Church Street in downtown New Haven, CT. The 130,000 square foot office complex on 1.29 acres was sold for $8 million by ECP Church, LLC. Dara Kovel, Regional Director for Jonathan Rose Companies, made the announcement. The property consists of an eight-story office tower with 105,522 rentable square feet at 55 Church Street; a three-story Greek revival style bank building with 24,126 rentable square feet at 45 Church Street; and an adjoining 76-space parking lot. Financing for the project was provided by Chase under the U.S. Treasury Department’s New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program. The partners will seek certification of the property with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy Efficient Design – Existing Building (LEED-EB) program and the EPA’s Energy Star Program.
WinnCompanies has announced it has completed solar power installations at seven locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut. The scope of these installations on affordable housing units, delivering nearly one megawatt of solar power, is one of the largest initiatives put forward in the United States.
The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded nearly $123 million to 68 community colleges and community-based institutions that competed successfully under the President's Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative. Awardees were chosen from among 274 applications received in response to a competition announced Oct. 10, 2008. Connecticut's take is just over $2 million and will be used to fund programs that will help develop the next generation of energy workers attending any community technical college in the Nutmeg state.
More workforce funds. Grants have been awarded in 12 states including Connecticut, to share $2.6 million in job training grants to clean up contaminated properties and turn them into productive community assets. The recipients are Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, Waterbury, and The Workplace, Inc., Southwestern Connecticut Regional Workforce, Bridgeport.
Earlier this month, Starwood Energy Group Global LLC, a private equity division of Greenwich, Conn.-based Starwood Capital Group Global LLC, announced it had acquired a majority interest in New Jersey-based solar power developer Nautilus Solar Energy LLC. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The deal is expected to provide capital for the future growth of Nautilus Solar and includes a $50 million commitment for future Nautilus Solar projects, according to officials. Founded in 2006, Nautilus Solar develops, constructs, finances, owns and operates distributed generation and utility-scale solar electric systems.
January, 2009
Centerbrook Takes QU To A New Green Level
Buildingctgreen.com staff
Just about every college in Connecticut has embraced green building design when renovating or building new structures. Many are incorporating best green practices into their operation and supply chain and most are now looking to implement green curriculum to better prepare the next generation of green workers. So it's no suprise that Quinnipiac University is getting in the green building game. What is interesting though is that this ambitious project spearheaded by Centerbrook Architects and Planners has a lot of different green elements.
Centerbrook’s master plan of this new 43 acre campus includes on-site distributed energy, 53 kW wind turbine array, 220 kW solar array and a 250kW micro turbine. Regarding the wind energy, not common in Connecticut, a total of 42 wind turbines will provide about 84,000 kilowatt-hours of power per year to the campus. Installed by Mariah Power, the Windspire vertical-axis wind turbines, which don't use traditional propellers to capture wind energy and are able to operate noise-free.
“There are not a lot of locations in the state with conditions favorable for wind power and the majority of these locations are along the coastline,” says Brian Krafjak, of Centerbrook Architects and Planners. “Quinnipiac University’s York Hill Campus is one of a few inland spots that show up on wind maps as having some potential. The wind terrace site on the campus is 470 feet above sea level and from our onsite experience; there is plenty of wind up on this hill. During construction of the TD Banknorth Athletic Center completed last year, we lost more days during construction to high winds than to snow and rain events.”
Other site features include,
*Storm water management strategies employing best management practices to capture and treat rainfall including rain gardens and bioretention cells.
*Light pollution reduction by adopting a site lighting criteria which maintains safe light levels while avoiding off-site and night sky pollution.
*Vegetation diversity including a variety of habitats such as wooded forest, open pond, wet meadow, wooded swamp and upland meadow areas.
*Maximize the use of onsite materials by balancing cut and fill earthwork operations and using onsite stone for structural fill, rock swales, and paving sub base material.
Building Products:
Use local materials and processes where possible.
Use moisture control barriers on the exterior walls to prevent water infiltration.
Develop high R-Value wall and roof systems and use low-E glazed windows and curtain walls.
Use skylights and light shelves for diffused lighting.
Provide access to views and daylight at rest areas, including offices, student, and staff spaces.
Use environmentally friendly, low VOC products for paint, sealants, carpets, wood products, ceiling tiles, and flooring and Energy Star products.
Building Electrical:
Use Occupancy sensors in place of light switches to avoid lighting spaces that are not in use.
Allow for task lighting where appropriate. Use compact fluorescent lamps as an energy efficient alternative to incandescent lamps.
Building HVAC:
Use variable speed drives in mechanical system.
Provide a 250 kW Micro-turbine which generates electrical power from natural gas and effectively utilizes “waste” heat to operate heating and cooling systems.
Use Zone control in mechanical systems for variable occupancy.
Building Plumbing:
Use low-flow plumbing fixtures.
Building Construction:
Use fly-ash and slag in concrete.
Institute a construction waste management system.
Building Systems:
Institute a Commissioning System.
Provide a building management system with sub-metering and permanent monitoring of systems.
Building Management:
Prohibit smoking in building.
Develop a recycling system and provide space in the building for its management.
Utilize Green products for cleaning.
January, 2009
Green Building Update
Buildingctgreen.com staff
Here are some recent green building projects that have made news in Connecticut.
Greenleaf Biofuels of Guilford has announced plans to build a biodiesel production and distribution facility in the North Yard of New Haven Harbor. According to the owner, the 100 Wheeler Street complex will produce 20 million gallons within five years and operate 24/7 and employ 15 full-time workers.
According to an article in the New York Times, when Quinnipiac University’s York Hill campus opens in the fall of 2009, the new complex will have one of the first wind farms in the state. Besides the forty-four thin cylindrical wind turbines rising about 40 feet from the ground, the project will also include solar panels, a micro-turbine, a green roof terrace, rainwater collection, a parking garage built into the existing landscape to reduce heat and equipped with hybrid-car power hookups and a bio-detention pond, which will collect storm water runoff to help reduce erosion.
LEED® Update - According to the U.S. Green Building Council's Web site, projects in Connecticut that have achieved LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification include the L.L. Bean Store at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor at the Silver Level and the C Smart Auto Dealership in Fairfield at the Certified Level. Recent registered projects include Bridgeport Multi Magnet High School, Mystic Seaport's New North End expansion, Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk, the new AI Tech Building in Hartford and the UCONN Social Sciences & Humanities Buildings at the Storrs Campus.
Project FROG of San Francisco will build its first energy-neutral building in New England at the Watkinson School in Hartford. The company will construct three smart buildings for the school's new Center for Science and Global Citizenship.
December, 2008
Inn is Hidden Green Gem
Buildingctgreen.com staff
One of the key economic drivers for Connecticut’s economy is tourism. The state is positioned well for travelers going into and out of New England especially recently with the foliage change. Others travelers to the Nutmeg State come as a destination spot to enjoy Connecticut’s many leisure activities such as hiking the river ways and golf. The state also is home to two of the most popular casinos in New England and now Waterbury can boast about having a new water park. Yet with the economy in panic mode, consumers will begin to travel less. That’s why the hospitality industry must take measures to remain competitive. One enterprise that is separating itself from the competition is the Saybrook Point Inn in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. They are leading by green example.
According to TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel community, this year’s annual travel trends survey of more than 3,000 U.S. travelers indicates a greater amount of Americans said they will be environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in 2009, and more plan to visit eco-friendly hotels in the coming year. And the Saybrook Point is betting they can capture a large share of these green minded travelers looking for lodging in Connecticut. Besides being an Energy Star rated building, earlier this fall the Inn installed a large roof mounted solar array that has panels on several sections of the roof. Among the other green attributes the Inn incorporates include,
* Guest room recycling and conservation programs.
* Office recycling:
Recycled paper for hotel stationery.
Internal and personal communications are printed on both sides of paper.
Scrap paper is used for internal and personal communications.
* Recycled paper products in all public areas.
* Indoor and outdoor salt water pools reduce chlorine waste and fumes, and benefit swimmers.
* Water waste is disinfected by ultraviolet light, not chlorine.
* Rain sensors reduce unnecessary lawn watering.
* Energy efficient windows and doors property-wide.
* Energy-efficient, chemical-free cooling tower.
* Energy efficient thermostats are used throughout the property.
* Green Seal cleaning concentrates are used.
* Eliminated the use of paper and Styrofoam products in employee and kitchen areas.
* Smoke-free environment.
* Partner with Soil Air Technologies to remove nitrogen from our onsite waste water-disposal system.
* Heat-recovery systems that preheat hot water for domestic and pool use.
* Tier Two standby generator that gives complete power independence from outages, reducing grid demands during power emergencies.
* Partner with CT Audubon to enhance our surrounding area with bird houses -- to attract native birds and maintain our grounds with organic fertilizers.
* Free pump-out for all boaters
* Recycling program for boat batteries and used motor oil
* Spill equipment on site and dock personnel trained in spill containment
* Bottom cleaning in Marina not allowed
The Inn has received many recognitions and awards for its green efforts. In fact, earlier this year it received a Silver Level rating from greenlodge.org . Other recognitions include four-time recipient of the Clean Mariana Award - the first Connecticut hotel to receive the award (in 2003).
Circle Awards from the CT Department of Environmental Protection, for the following:
* Installing water-recycling laundry equipment with ozone, to reduce hot water, water soap, bleach, and propane gas usage.
* Improving effluent quality being discharged into the septic system.
* Installing a 100% recycled process or cooling water system and reducing annual energy or water consumption rates by more than 15%.
* Installing 90 energy-saving programmable thermostats.
* Executing changes that reduced annual energy or water consumption rates by more than * 15%, including the purchase of water-efficient toilets for guestrooms and public areas as well as water-efficient dishwashers.
As far as green hospitality goes, the Saybrook Point Inn is a leader and role model not only here but nationally as well. This establishment will no doubt stand out in the crowded hospitality market in Connecticut. It is one of the hidden green gems of Connecticut.
November, 2008
Kohl's To Open Green Store
Buildingctgreen.com staff
Last week, Wisconsin based Kohl's Stores announced that its newest store in Connecticut will not only create 150 jobs, it will also be an environmentally friendly store.
One of 47 environmentally friendly stores the company has opened this fall, it is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program at the Silver level. The store's green attributes include recycled and locally obtained building materials; high-efficiency heating and cooling systems; occupancy sensor lighting for stockrooms, break rooms and offices; water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and a recycling program for cardboard boxes, hangers and packaging.
The 89,000-square-foot store on East Main Street is scheduled to open November 5. The Waterbury location will be the company's 18th store in Connecticut.
Source: Waterbury Republican-American
Green Building Updates
Buildingctgreen.com staff
As goes the economy, as goes the real estate market but recently there’s been some encouraging news regarding green building activities in the state. The state will soon reach a milestone for green buildings. According to the U.S. Green Building Council’s (US GBC) Web site, with one more project, Connecticut will have one hundred registered buildings with various programs of the Council’s LEED® rating system.
Two projects also recently received certification from the U.S. GBC. Both properties happen to be owned by global green leaders. One is Building G on the grounds of United Technologies Division Pratt and Whitney’s East Hartford campus and the other is GE CIOP in Norwalk.
There have been several homes that have also registered for the LEED for Homes program. These include the 39 Catoonah Street in Ridgefield and 911 Candlewood Lake Road South in New Milford.
The one commercial property of note that has recently registered LEED NC 2.2 is the old WFSB offices at 3 Constitution Plaza in downtown Hartford. The Broadcast House has been purchased by AI Engineers and the new owner will demolish the now-vacant structure and erect a 100,000-square-foot "tech building." The company will move from Middletown to the new property in 2010 and occupy 30,000 square feet.
Tygris Commercial Finance Group Inc. has signed a 14,687-square-foot lease at 40 Danbury Road in Wilton, CT. The three-story, 161,222-square-foot office building was completed in June and is the first office building in Connecticut to receive LEED Gold pre-certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Louis Dreyfus Corp., the only other tenant in the building, occupies the top floor.
Stamford's $16 million Waste to Energy Project is set to begin in December and will turn sludge and other toxic waste into energy sources. Dried water residual in the form of pellets will be converted into gases that can generate electricity.
According to a recent article in Journal Inquirer, the 114-year-old Marlow’s building on Main Street in Manchester has a new 15.8-kilowatt solar array. The array was installed by Sunlight Solar of Milford.
Essex Meadows, a retirement and lifecare community in Essex, has announced that it will install 616 solar panels that will cover approximately 9,000 square feet of roof space and will generate 128,282 kWh (kilowatt hours) each year.
Green Model Home Opens
Buildingctgreen.com staff
Last month, developer J.R. Beaudry opened the model home for the Tunxis Heights project in Bloomfield. The project, which he expected to be completed in two-and-a-half years, will include 32 single-family homes built to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) green home guidelines. The development is one of the first in the state to use the NAHB guidelines.
Beaudry commented, “It would have cost 20 percent less to develop it without complying with the NAHB construction standards, but the commitment to the environment was worth it.”
The new neighborhood will include craftsman-style buildings with a traditional flair that are one or two stories. The 2,400 square-foot model building, which is two stories, includes several eco-friendly features that Beaudry said will be used in all the homes. These will include a geo-thermal heating system that operates on a closed loop and will save residents 60 percent of their heating and cooling costs.
Beaudry states, “These homes will cost about $130 in monthly energy expenses. Homes I’ve built in the past which used a normal cooling system and roughly 1,800 square feet, incurred $430 in monthly energy costs. Our home buyers will experience some significant savings.”
Other Green features of the building’s interior include interior flooring made from bamboo and supplied by Lumber Liquidators in Southwick, Massachusetts, an interior painted without VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), walls made from cement fiberboard, cabinets that were locally manufactured, dual-flush toilets that can save up to 20,000 gallons of water annually and a closed cell spray foam for insulation in the walls and ceiling. An important exterior element is the rain gutters that divert water into a cistern that is used to water the lawn. The system will use 60 percent less water and chemicals.
“The home building industry has to change how we build,” said Beaudry, whose company built the Heritage Farms complex in East Granby under similar guidelines. “We have to pay attention to our environment.”
The model home will cost $469,000 and the others will cost $490,000. If you are interested in finding out more about these green homes, contact J.R. Beaudry at (860) 653-7715 or by email at info@beaudryhomes.com.
Connecticut Bank Branch Goes For LEED
Buildingctgreen.com staff
A ground-breaking event took place last month for Connecticut’s first bank branch to register with the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED® program. Rockville Bank held the ceremony at the site of its 22nd branch location to be built at 780 North Main St. in Manchester, Conn. The bank is committed to achieving certification in the LEED New Construction (NC) category. Rockville Bank held the ceremony at the site of its 22nd branch location to be built at 780 North Main St. in Manchester, Conn.
“We are pleased to lead the way in construction of ‘Green’ banks and hope that our innovative new branch will be a model for other banks in the state,” explained William J. McGurk, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rockville Bank. “Our new Manchester branch will be totally environmentally friendly with ‘Green’ workspaces and facilities, and ‘Green’ landscaping and outdoor amenities.”
Source: Rockville Bank
September, 2008
CNC Software Shows Its Greenware
Bloomfield, Conn., August 7 - CNC Software, based in Tolland Connecticut and the producer of Mastercam, a state-of-the-art software tool for CAD/CAM manufacturing markets globally, has incorporated green building technologies into its company-owned 40,000 sq. ft. corporate headquarters and training facility.
At a family-owned business conference hosted by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) and the UConn Family Business Program, company officials announced that they have successfully installed and are running a geothermal heat pump, efficient lighting and insulated windows and they just turned-on a huge solar array. The CNC building uses about a quarter of the energy of buildings the same size.
"Actually, our energy costs are less than half a percent of our total overhead," said CNC president, Mark Summers. "We expect to create about between a quarter and a third of our electricity usage," continued Summers.
Sources: CNC Software and WTNH.com
institutional markets.
July, 2008 - In early May the Connecticut Green Building Council solicited nominations from the general public for green building projects that were worthy of recognition. In early June a panel of noted experts picked six projects that embraced sustainable design. The winners were grouped as “most intriguing” or “intriguing” – in residential and institutional markets.
Here are the winners.
Residential
MOST INTRIGUING was awarded to the Usquepaug Residence designed by Lindsay Suter AIA. This project is a culmination of architectural training in good design using quality materials and interesting sustainable principles.
A very nice project, every passive sustainable device was used. The project is modest and simple resulting in an elegant affordable residence. The unique aspect to this design is the taking advantage of a great northern view by using a lot of glass to obtain the view and even daylight without glare, but solving the heat loss potential by an effective and handsome shutter system.
INTRIGUING was awarded for another simple basic, responsible Norfolk Residence again by Lindsay Suter AIA. This design is compact and efficient; using natural ventilation for the building.
The basic fuel for heating is a wood stove that was reduced in size due to its ability to work efficiently. The materials selected and attention to best construction practices result in a fine lesson on how to build an affordable house.
Institutional
MOST INTRIGUING was awarded to the Yale Sculpture Building and Gallery, designed by Kieran Timberlake Associates in association with BVH Engineers. The building incorporates just about every sustainable device and design possible.
This project demonstrates what good design and extraordinary planning can produce. A green roof covers about 90% of the whole structure.
INTRIGUING was awarded to the Barnard Magnet School whose design showed a very aggressive energy program undertaken by the City of New Haven. The significance of this project, designed by Roberta Washington and David Thompson collaborative architects is what can be done using public funds. The project incorporates an existing school building and a fine looking addition to meeting the goals of LEED Gold. Much attention has been paid to using all the building functions as a learning laboratory for its students.
INTRIGUING was awarded to the Yale School of Medicine, Sterling Hall Laboratory Wing by Svigals and Partners architects. The building design was used as an experiment by Yale to see what can be achieved using sustainable ideas in a laboratory environment.
The use of Daylight transparency, strategies to develop a better work environment, recyclable materials and products that produce no off-gases was a significant attempt to demonstrate what can be done. The project has been widely published and now sets a standard for all laboratories for Yale medical school.
INTRIGUING was awarded to the Burton Family Football/Mark Shenkman Training Center Complex by JCJ architects in collaboration with HOK Sports. This project is significant in that it is the first NCAA Athletic Sustainable project as well as the first LEED project on the UCONN Campus. A challenging site and a building configuration lead to a solid design and planning effort to make this building a responsible partner on Campus.
Source: The Connecticut Green Building Council
This $22.2M transit-oriented historic preservation project is restoring the landmark Capitol Building in downtown Hartford and creating 70 units of mixed-income housing and storefront commercial space that will add new life to this area. NEF and the project sponsor, Common Ground, have committed to having the project meet the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) protocols. Eighty percent of the new homes will be affordable to residents with incomes below 60 percent of the area median income, with rents starting at $765.
"This is a project that embodies so much of what NEF has been about over the years," commented Joe Hagan, NEF president and CEO. "It is a centerpiece of a downtown revitalization effort. It preserves an historic structure. It meets a pressing local need by expanding the city's stock of high-quality affordable housing. And it is green, both in terms of its commitment to LEED® standards and its proximity to public transit, jobs, services and other amenities that encourage residents to leave their cars behind. There is no way not to be excited about the impact this project will have," he said.
The building is now known as the Hollander Foundation Center, in honor of the Hollander family that donated it.
Sponsored by Common Ground -- a top New York-based nonprofit organization focused on meeting the needs of low-income residents and communities -- the rehab of the Hollander Foundation Center incorporates sustainable design elements that enhance energy efficiency and reduce the building's carbon footprint. Green elements include a high-efficiency heating system, low-flow fixtures, an energy-efficient lighting plan, EnergyStar appliances and plans for a green roof. Common Ground now incorporates green in all of its projects in Connecticut and New York.
NEF provided funding for the project through Common Ground's allocation of low-income housing tax credits and historic tax credits, both stemming from federal programs designed to encourage private-sector investment in affordable housing.
Source: www.earthtimes.org
Recent Connecticut LEED Registered and Green Projects
The state had several building projects over the last two months that have registered with the the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). These projects cover comercial, residential and retail.
Waypointe, Norwalk - This massive project is a mixed use property planned for Norwalk by Stanley Seligson. The nineteen acre, six block development that will change the landscape of downtown Norwalk. One building located at 467 West Ave will shoot for LEED New Construction.
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London - The smallest of the five U.S. service academies has registered its Research and Development Center on One Chealsea Street, LEED Commercial Interiors.
Seasons Credit Union, Meriden - Registered last month, the Seasons Credit Union with five branches in Middesex County will look to have its Meriden location LEED Commercial Interiors.
The New Canaan Village Plaza, New Canaan - Last week this plaza was registered and will be one of a handful of retail structures in the state to be LEED registered New Construction.
Kingswood Oxford School, West Hartford - Add one more green school project to the growing list. The Math and Technology Center at Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford registered last month for LEED Schools.
Lot E Mixed Use Development which is on Howe Street in New Haven and next to the new Yale Cancer Center will have restaurants, offices and retail when completed. The owner, Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation has registered the 56,520 sf project LEED New Construction.
Newtown Youth Academy has registered its new 86,600 sf building at Fairfield Circle LEED New Construction.
Kimberly-Clark's New Milford Mill has announced its energy independence with the start-up in April of the Company's new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) facility. The Mill's Energy Independence Project uses clean burning natural gas to provide all of the mill's electric and thermal power needs while generating additional power for southwestern Connecticut, one of the tightest and most expensive electric markets in the nation.
The design for the new campus of Gateway Community College in New Haven was recently unveiled at the current New Haven campus of Gateway Community College. The campus development hopes to achieve gold-certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the industry standard administered by the U.S. Green Building Council. The campus will be a four-story, 360,000 square-foot building on Church Street and is projected to cost $198 million. It is slated for construction starting in the summer of 2009 with a completion date of September 2012.
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company of Quincy, MA, announced last month that they have been awarded LEED(R) Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (US GBC). This achievement distinguishes Stop & Shop not only as the first supermarket chain, but also the first company in the country earning Volume Certification under the Portfolio Program.
The new 845-space garage that will be next to the the new Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven will have some green features. The developer of the gararge plans to use nontoxic building materials and will purchase the concrete locally, rather than shipping it from hundreds of miles away, while photovoltaic cells on the roof are expected to provide all the electricity needed for the five-level garage.
Yale has one more green building to add to its inventory. The Park Street Building has registered LEED New Construction 2.2 with the U.S. Green Building Council.
Planet Self Storage in Newington has installed a 27.7 kw solar photovoltaic system that will supply about 30% of total electric needs.
The Hooker Environmental Studies Magnet School in Hartford and the Discovery Magnet Elementary School in Bridgeport have both registered with the U.S. Green Building Council as LEED for Schools 2.0 and the Stevens Building at The New Canaan Country School has been certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as LEED Silver.
The GPC - Innis Arden Cottage at Greenwich Point, Old Greenwich has registered for LEED New Construction for a 4,000 square Foot interpretive center.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Receives Green Building Award
 The Green Building Initiative (GBI), an education and marketing initiative dedicated to accelerating the adoption of green building practices has recognized Bristol-Myers Squibb's research facility in Wallingford, Conn. The GBI this month announced that several organizations would be recognized for promoting and instituting green building practices.
The building is being showcased for, among other things, providing a healthy indoor environment, having a comprehensive energy management plan--on site renewable energy and high-efficiency features such as lighting and boilers. The facility uses the new module of the GBI's Green Globes rating system—Green Globes for Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings (Green Globes-CIEB).
“While there’s significant room for improvement, Earth Day is an opportunity to celebrate the steps people take every day to better our built environment,” said Ward Hubbell, GBI president. “It’s also a day to focus on how we can continue educating ourselves and others about the many ways we can collectively contribute to a more sustainable world.”
The GBI also recognized the launch of a state-wide residential green building program in Kentucky and the presentation of a sustainability award to a team of university students and professors at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual People, Prosperity, Planet (P3) award ceremony in Washington, DC.
For more information about the GBI, visit www.thegbi.org.
Mystic Businesses Move To New Green Digs
 Health in Harmony, a holistic center in this seaside town is moving to a larger, expanded location in downtown Mystic that will incorporate many green features and will also house, Citrus, an organic juice bar café. The company's Web site states, "Everything that is going into our renovation is renewable and coming from the earth. Our new heating and cooling system is particularly exciting in that it has sensors inside and out to monitor the outside temperature."
The buildings other green features include:
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Plant-based insulation
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Gypsum eco-friendly drywall
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Cork and bamboo flooring and ceiling tiles
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Travertine tile…a naturally occurring stone
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High-velocity heating and cooling
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VOC-less paints
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Use of recycled building materials in our design
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Use of corn-based compostable containers for food take away
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Energy efficient appliances Support of local businesses to avoid shipping and transportation emissions and fuel consumption
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Use of non-toxic cleaning products and recycled paper products
Citrus organic juice bar café offers gourmet prepared fresh whole foods, raw foods and juices. This will be an exclusive in Southeastern Connecticut. Citrus will offer a seasonal menu with a variety of weekly specials utilizing many local farmers for produce.
Source: www.health-in-harmony.com
Branford Bike Shop Announces New Green Store
 It is one thing for a company that makes or sells a product that is eco-friendly to tout its value to society but it’s an even better thing when the company decides to embrace these best green practices themselves. Especially when it’s a small business. Such is the case of world famous Zane’s Cycles in Branford. A leader in bicycle retailing, the store has announced it will build a new green store that when completed in October 2008, might just be the envy of the industry.
The store, which has been in business for more than 26 years, has been recognized as an industry leader for its commitments to its customers and employees will enhance those commitments by building a new store using green features. At a ground breaking ceremony attended by city and state officials last month, it was announced the new structure will include, solar panels that will eventually produce 60 percent of the shop's power needs,
a wind generator (rendition pictured) that is in the shape of a large eight foot wheel, originally thought of as an ornament to the building but in reality will actually turn and generate power to the shop, and
an extensive water reclamation program. “We really wanted to diminish our footprint when we decided to build,” said store owner Chris Zane. “We were committed to Branford and we wanted to make sure our impact was in a positive manner.”
Source: The Day
State's Greenest Large-scale Residential Building
 Becker + Becker, the architect and developer of the redevelopment of the Shartenberg Site at 745-807 Chapel Street in downtown New Haven will look to construct a green mixed use property that includes 460 apartments (including 50 affordable units), grocery store and other retail, parking garage, and an early childhood education center.
The projected cost of the project will be $160 Million and cover 700,000 square feet with partial funding from public funds. It will revitalize a long-underutilized 1.5-acre site in a prime downtown location, a block away from the New Haven Green and across the street from the State Street train station. It is believed to be the largest private new construction project ever built in New Haven and the greenest large-scale residential building in Connecticut.
This project has been selected to be a pilot project for the LEED Program for Neighborhood Development and will include such green features as geothermal wells, photovoltaic arrays, recycled and local materials, and fuel cell(s).
Source: Becker + Becker
New RBS Office Building Goes For LEED
 The new Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Global Banking & Markets headquarters in downtown Stamford is starting to take shape. When completed in early 2009, it will include a 95,000-square-foot trading floor, house 3,000 new workers and hopes to achieve the U.S.
Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold rating.
"It will set a mark for future buildings in Stamford. It's a 21st-century building," said the building's architect, Roger Ferris, principal partner in Roger Ferris & Partners in Westport, CT. "RBS is sensitive to the environment around the Mill River, which borders the site, and will develop a park-like setting with a trail along the river," he said.
Located on Washington Boulevard, the building will have easy access to the downtown train station and Interstate 95. Construction is continuing through the winter with large sheets of plastic wrapped around much of the building to shield workers from winds. This spring, more than 1,000 tradesmen will be working on the $400 million complex. RBS is receiving $100 million in tax breaks from the state, and the city is forgoing a portion of the property tax revenue for the first five years of the building's use.
Source: Stamford Advocate
Green Luxury Resort Planned For Preston
 Northland Investment Corporation, the largest property owner in Hartford has announced it has proposed Preston Green, a $1 billion, mixed-use green luxury resort for Preston which will feature five-star hotels, a world-class spa, a riverfront marina, amenity retail, attractive seasonal and active adult residences, renovation and reuse of three existing historic buildings, public access to the river and a championship 18-hole golf course.
In a New London Day editorial published this past Sunday, Northland Chairman Larry Gottesdiener wrote, "Preston Green carefully crafts a mix of uses, based upon a green development approach that is designed to minimize traffic, large-scale surface parking and the impact on town services, while maximizing taxes and jobs."
The development will also incorporate tradition neighborhood design strategies by attracting the public to waterfront activities, a new town hall, an expansive Town Common and nature trails with hiking and biking paths ringing the entire development. The site will also rehab a contaminated site into a "pristine" landscape. Gottesdiener also points out that 250 acres, or 60 percent of the site, will remain as open space.
Gottesdiener concludes, "Preston Green will not be a walled-off resort. There is a better way. What we have designed in Preston Green is a resort that integrates with the community in an environmentally sustainable way. That is the future."
Source: www.theday.com
Orange Retail Plaza Goes Green
 Go Green Plaza on the Boston Post Road in Orange is Connecticut's first commercial site to be registered with the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system. The site which was the former Overhead Door Company and had been abandoned for decades has been developed by Go Green, LLC and will enhance this busy commercial zone.
Some of the green attributes of the plaza include:
• Demolition. Methodically razed the building, separating its materials into piles of steel, concrete, wood, metal, glass, and asphalt for sale to recycling companies.
• Windows. Low E thermal windows block UV rays, let in 93% of natural light, and reduce lighting costs.
• Heating and cooling. Four Carrier Centurion 48 PG Ultra High Efficiency single package gas heating/electric cooling commercial roof top units with Puron-R410A refrigerant.
• Cool Roof. The Cool MR-24 Metal Roof system reduces surface temperature, keeps occupants cooler in warm weather, and does not contribute to the heat island effect of cities.
• Water. Up to 90% of rainwater drains directly from the pitched roof into four 16-foot wide dry wells, with no polluting effect upon the town sewer system or Long Island Sound.
• Interior. Half the interior was finished to tenant specifications and incorporates environmentally friendly features such as low flush toilets, low energy hand driers, non-toxic wall paint, and more.
For the developers, the cost of green building dropped dramatically over the three years of the project. They had estimated premiums well over 30%, but the final budget showed a mere 2% of total building costs to go green. “The competitive market is taking over,” explains Robert Kravitz a spokesperson for Go Green. The additional building cost is covered by the fact that the building can command a slightly higher lease, while the tenant saves far more on energy costs.
Source: Go Green, LLC Press Release
Windermere To Be First LEED Luxury Community in Connecticut
NRDC Residential, the recently-formed residential subsidiary of Purchase, NY-based National Realty & Development Corporation, has announced the unveiling of the first model home for Windermere on the Lake, a luxurious, environmentally advanced planned community located in the historic Long Ridge area in Stamford, Connecticut. Designed by the renowned architectural firm, Bartels-Pagliaro, the community will consist of 24 luxurious Arts and Crafts-inspired homes on 75 spectacular acres.
Windermere on the Lake is pursuing a LEED-certification, which would make it the first LEED-certified luxury planned community in Connecticut. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) created the LEED™, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, rating system to serve as the benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED is a particularly impressive and demanding designation for a planned community to achieve, given the rigorous specification requirements associated with the rating for single-family home construction.
“We are extremely proud to announce the unveiling of Windermere on the Lake,” said Mark Robbins, President of NRDC Residential. “The extraordinary community represents the culmination of nearly three years of meticulous planning and the assembly of a carefully-selected eam of world renowned professionals. Everyone associated with this community has shared a vision of creating the new model of environmentally conscious living, and we are both excited and eager to present this shared vision to the public.”
Windermere on the Lake homes will feature varying levels of industry leading eco-friendly options such as sustainable building materials, low-VOC paint and carpets, optional geothermal heating and cooling systems, superior insulation, multi-zone Hydro-Air HVAC systems, precise construction tolerances, custom LED lighting, and professional-grade appliances. In addition, these Energy Star®-qualified new homes meet efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The land will be conserved too. A Habitat Management Plan includes wetland restoration and preservation features that naturally improve water quality and prevent erosion. Where necessary, invasive plants have been removed and replaced with native species that promote the long-term health of the overall environment. Lastly, native wildlife is encouraged to thrive, with wildflower and butterfly plantings, bluebird nesting boxes, and a log-crib habitat structure in the picturesque ponds.
Source: stamfordplus.com
Fairfield Firm Wins Green Residential Awards
 Summit Residential, LLC of Fairfield, has received three HOBI (Home Building Industry) Awards for its new active adult community, Bartlett Hollow, in Middletown. Summit has received awards for Best Green Community, Best Detached 55+ Community (over 2,000 sq. ft). and Best Green Feature for the homes’ solar panels. The development, when completed, will have 25 Energy-Star® certified homes that will also have geothermal heating and cooling systems for space conditioning.
While geothermal heating/cooling systems are not yet widely known, this up and coming technology incorporates an underground piping loop, heat exchanger and compressor. During heating season, refrigerant in the underground loop absorbs heat from the ground. This heat is used to warm the air, which is carried throughout the home via ductwork. For cooling, the process is essentially reversed. Warm air is pulled out of the house through the ductwork into the underground loop where the heat is released into the ground, and the cooled refrigerant cools the air to be circulated through the ductwork back into the house. Using the earth’s energy for power, geothermal systems have extremely low operating costs . For example, during the month of August 2007, the total energy cost for the Barlett Hollow model was $102. While the model home does not have any cost for water heating, the costs reflect round the clock air conditioning, a refrigerator and lighting. September costs were just $32.
Another benefit of geothermal systems is reduced green house gas emissions since they do not burn fossil fuels, and with no combustion in the heating/cooling process, no carbon dioxide is produced.
The model at Bartlett Hollow was also chosen as the Home Builders Association of Connecticut Showcase Home of the Year for 2007. The home’s low energy bill, combined with hardwood flooring, granite counter tops, custom cabinetry, a luxurious first floor master suite and guest suite on the second floor, brought out many prospective homebuyers as well as those curious about the geothermal system and the solar panel. More than 200 people toured the custom-designed arts-and-crafts style home during the charity Open Houses in September.
“During the Showcase Open House weekend, we raised more than $5,500 to benefit Middlesex Habitat for Humanity,” said Pendry. “It was wonderful that so many people turned out to support Habitat, and we hope they learned a little about the quality of the homes Summit Residential builds as well,” he added.
“With the City of Middletown’s emphasis on clean energy, Summit Residential felt it was the perfect place to locate an active adult community built to Energy Star standards. In addition to owning energy-efficient homes, residents will have the option to leave their cars at home if they like. Bartlett Hollow is located on a mass transit line with easy access to shopping and area attractions, and is within walking distance of Wesleyan University and its many educational and cultural opportunities,” Pendry added.
Source: Summit Residential
Old Clairol Site To Be Green Magnet School
The city of Stamford has finally broken ground on the long awaited $58 million dollar school project that will be an environmental magnet school inside and outside the classroom. Designed by world famous Hartford, Connecticut based Tai Soo Kim Partners, the school will be built to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.
The site, the former headquarters of Clairol, has been the center of debate in Stamford. Residents around the Blachley Road property have not been pleased with the prospect of out of town students coming into the cove area and they also site a current school in the neighborhood. Others feared the property was contaminated by Clairol. In the end, the City of Stamford stepped in, bought the property and declared it tested and safe.
When complete, the green features of this environmental magnet school will include,
- A windmill intended to demonstrate wind power to the students;
- Interaction with the nearby cove on the Long Island Sound.
- A green roof over 50 percent of the building;
- Chillers for the air conditioning system; and
- A rain garden, daylight harvesting and water savings.
"In this case [the board of representatives] actually had to stick their necks out," said Mayor Dannel Malloy. "The city closed on the property before the state was able to guarantee funding for the school project."
Source: The Stamford Times
Swiss Army’s New Green Office in Monroe
This past summer, Connecticut gained more green building square footage when Swiss Army, Inc. North America opened its new 160,000-square-foot green headquarters in Monroe. The office building and distribution center incorporate state of the art energy saving equipment and the outside of the building will get a soon to be completed bike path that will connect Newtown to the Bridgeport ferry landing.
Swiss Army which relocated its 177 employees to Monroe from Shelton, will now have a worker friendly building that uses various sustainable design methods. Here are some of those features.
- The two-story structure is placed to minimize heat gain from the sun;
- Energy-saving equipment and materials were designed into the structure;
- The building uses low-energy fluorescent light bulbs and sensors to turn lights off automatically;
- Most offices are toward the center of the building, with the cubicles nearer the windows. This allows as much natural light in as possible;
- Recycled and recyclable materials were used in the construction of the building;
- A developer donated land along the property for a bike trail. He's also donated the labor, materials and equipment needed to upgrade and maintain the existing trail, which will be part of the connector between Newtown and the Bridgeport ferry landing.
The building recently had tours for various community and state elected officials which included Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, state Sen. Bill Finch and Andrew Nunn and Ray Baldwin, the mayors of Monroe and Trumbull, respectively.
Source: The Connecticut Post
Metro Green Will Be Green Model in Connecticut
 Metro Green, an eco-friendly mixed use development in Stamford gained final approval last week from the city and construction will begin soon. The first phase of the project, Metro Green Apartments, has been designed to meet the Enterprise Green Communities guidelines. It will also be seeking the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and has been selected as a pilot project under the draft LEED Neighborhood Design criteria. Metro Tower—the office component of the project—has been designed to meet USGBC’s LEED gold standard.
With an increase in demand for workforce affordable housing, the project’s development team, W&M Properties and Jonathan Rose Cos., hope to provide 238 market-rate and affordable apartments and condominiums while trying to have lowest possible environmental impact. The complex will be located adjacent to the south side of the Stamford Metro-North train station, encouraging residents to conserve resources by using public transportation instead of personal cars.
“Metro Green is a model solution of how communities can develop market-based solutions to climate change,” says Jonathan Rose. “Building mixed-income green developments with integral office space near our transit hubs is key to smart growth.”
Source: multi-housingnews.com
Green Pilot Project Grows in Hamden
Trailside Village, LLC in Hamden, in conjunction with Ravenswood Construction, LLC, of Cheshire, Urbanminers.com of Hamden, The Habitat for Humanity Restore in Stratford and The ReConnstruction Center in New Britain; are cooperating in a Green Building Project. Four structures at 20 and 36 Todd Street in Hamden requiring removal are being renovated or deconstructed instead of being demolished.
The completion of Trailside Village, an Active Adult Community Condominium project in the Mount Carmel section of Hamden, requires the removal of these structures. Rather than simply demolishing the buildings and throwing away the materials, Dean Fiske of Ravenswood Homes (the Developer of the project) wanted to find a means for “ saving as much of the building materials as possible from the dumpster”.
Mr. Fiske along with Joe DeRisi of urbanminers.com, a trained “deconstructionist”, developed a plan to utilize two local “reuse” not for profit organizations; Habitat for Humanity’s “Restore” in Stratford and The ReConnstruction Center in New Britain.
According to Mr. DeRisi, “ up to 80 % of the total materials of a typical residential structure can be salvaged for reuse or recycling”.
The Trailside Village project includes using volunteers, including Tom Gabrielson, the habitat store manager, and John Powers, a board member from the ReConnstruction Center, to disassemble each structure piece by piece.
The result is truckloads of reusable 2x4’s, double glazed windows , solid wood doors, kitchen cabinets ,trim and molding. Materials are donated to the Restores and shipped to them by truck or sometimes sold directly off the site.
“These cooperative pilot projects can also demonstrate methods for reducing costs in more typical construction activities, not only when disassembling buildings”, according to Joe DeRisi of urbanminers.com. “ For example, the plywood recovered from the roof of one of the buildings was used for temporary security walls on other parts of the project. Also, community participation can help educate citizens about construction and recycling concepts that apply to their daily activities and demonstrate that these reuse stores exist for them as a source of used materials for their own projects. Perhaps most importantly, Trailside Village is demonstrating another way that a new housing development can be a “green” building project, by reducing waste and energy use."
For more information about this renovation and deconstruction project please contact Joe DeRisi at urbanminers.com at 203 824-1724 or e-mail at joe@urbanminers.com. Or call Ravenswood Homes in Cheshire at 203 272-3574.
Former Perkin Elmer Headquarters Goes Green
 Greenwich-based National RE/Sources LLC is converting the former Perkin Elmer facility on Main Avenue in Norwalk into a green office park. The i.park Norwalk office complex will have a 300,000-square-foot main building that will be Class A office space and built to the U. S. Green Building Council’s LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design) certification standards and will include a green rooftop. A second building in i.park also will be converted into a LEED-certified building and feature ‘low ‘e’ Energy Star™ windows, energy efficient HVAC and recycled materials.
Lynne Ward, vice president of leasing at National RE/Sources, which is spending $50 million on the conversion commented on the green roof top, "It's new in the country. There are none in Fairfield County," she said, estimating that more than an acre of the roof will be green. "California was far ahead on this."
Solar panels will be installed on another section of the roof.This is the first LEED project for National RE/Sources, which specializes in converting former manufacturing complexes into large office complexes. Other National RE/Sources projects include the former Lockheed plant in Lake Success, N.Y., as well as former industrial sites in Yonkers and Tarrytown, N.Y.; Wiscassett, Maine; and Edgewater, N.J.
For more about this great green project, click here>>
Source: Stamford Advocate
Greenhill is Mega Green Complex
Reprinted from Auggie V's Green Blog, May 9, 2007
 Last week I had the pleasure of meeting with Jonathan Putnam of Cushman and Wakefield’s Hartford office to discuss a great project he and Cushman are involved with in Wallingford. The project, Campus at Greenhill, was at one time, scheduled to be the home of Mortgage Lenders Network (MLN) but unfortunately, the company went from super star to super dud when the sub-prime mortgage industry collapsed. MLN had made a commitment to lease a green building and Workstage Development committed to building it. Well MLN is gone but the complex is still being built and it incorporates many sustainable design features.
Jon informed me that the space, when completed, will be one of the largest commercial Class A green building properties in the state and the region and is currently registered with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system. The building will cover 305,000 sf, and includes such noted enhancements as,
- Expansive window lines with abundant natural light.
- Under floor power, voice and data distribution with plug-and-play capability.
- Underfloor Air Distribution system delivers high quality of indoor air.
- Located close to major routes and train line.
- Solid pool of skilled workers from New Haven and Hartford counties.
Talking with Jon, I learned that this is no ordinary office building. The new tenants will get something very hip and modern that has some great add-ons. Jon states, “Greenhill should appeal to the tenant that embraces green technology and saving some “greenbacks” in the form of an estimated 43% lower energy consumption than a traditional office building. The combination of the unique under floor heating and cooling system, increased day-lighting and improved insulation techniques provide a much lower use of energy, which is further enhanced by Wallingford’s lowest statewide cost for electricity produced by its own cooperative power plant.”
More and more green commercial properties are becoming the norm in Connecticut. In about five-ten years, if your building isn’t green, you’re done. Greenhill is a great property that will make one or several companies very productive and their employees very happy. If you are interested in finding out more about Greenhill and taking a virtual tour, click here>>
Habitat For Humanity Green Home Project
56-54 Risley Street, Hartford
It's Easy Being Green - Starting April, 2006, Habitat will begin constructing a duplex home using green building technology. Buildingctgreen.com will diary the project, allowing our visitors to learn about constructing a green home from the ground up.
Habitat for Humanity is partnering with two families in Hartford’s North East neighborhood by providing an opportunity for them to build and own their own homes. That in itself is a wonderful gift but this gift will be enhanced by its eco-friendly building materials. Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity will construct its first green home and AuctorVerno will assist in promotion and project coordination. The project is made possible with consulting support provided by Hartford based United Technologies Corporation and Global Green USA and sponsorship support by Carrier Corporation and Nationwide. . .
To read more about the Habitat for Humanity Green Home Project, click here.
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