John Darling, UT Arlington Composter
I missed our first class speaker John Darling, the UT Arlington Composter. So I did some research to educate myself. Here are highlights of what I found out about composting:
Composting is great for the environment because it reduces solid waste that goes to the landfill and by creating good composted soil, water is conserved and retained when applied to landscaping, and composting reduces or eliminates the need to use chemical fertilizers. Compost provides virtually all of the essential nutrients for healthy plant growth, and it almost always releases those nutrients over time to give plants a slow, steady, consistent intake of the elements essential for growth. Compost also improves the soil’s structure, making it easier for soil to hold and use the right amount of moisture and air. And, as an added benefit, compost improves plant vigor and provides for improved immunology from diseases.
To successfully compost, A good mix of browns and greens in your mix helps maintain the right amount of moisture and air.
The best combination of browns and greens is about 3-4 parts of “browns” & part “greens” by volume. Browns include: Brown, dry leaves & dried grass.
Greens include: Green grass clipping/weeds & kitchen scraps (fruit, vegetables, coffee grounds)
Saturday, July 16
Connemara Meadow Preserve
In the 1970s Frances Williams worried that open space was rapidly disappearing in the face of development. Frances became concerned that her family's land was in jeopardy of succumbing to unstoppable urban sprawl. With an initial gift of 72 acres of a meadow area on her family's land, the Connemara Conservancy Foundation was formed,saving Texas natural habitats from being overrun by Plano homes!
The Meadow will forever remain in its natural state as an open window to the natural Texas environment.
In some areas, the Meadow is recovering from decades of farming and is amazingly rich in plant diversity. Other areas will require intervention to remove non-native plants where they are limiting native diversity.
We first toured the the bottom land flood plain area which featured much of the forest's old growth, natural and undisturbed land made up of Burr Oak, Bowdart, Elm, and Pecan trees. Some of these tress were over 200 years old. The early settlers most likely left this area untouched because of the periodic flooding from the nearby stream and runoff from the surrounding area.
Much of the maintenance to keep this area a pristine example of classic N. Texas forest involves removing opportunistic plants like China Berry and Privet from taking hold and challenging the natural growth.
Originally cleared by settlers for cotton farming, the meadow area was soon tapped out by this nutrient-intensive cotton crop. Wheat and oats were most likely planted next. Today, the invasive Johnson Grass is now held at bay by the volunteer team, keeping this area a North Texas classic environment for generations to come.
eRecycler Electronic Recycling Collection
Christ United Methodist Church Plano, TX
What is "e-waste"?
eRecycler sets up collection centers at various Dallas area locations such as churches on Saturdays for the public, and also has agreements with area companies and schools to recycle their old electronics; preventing them from reaching the landfills.
E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life." Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common electronic products. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled.
eRecycler sets up collection centers at various Dallas area locations such as churches on Saturdays for the public, and also has agreements with area companies and schools to recycle their old electronics; preventing them from reaching the landfills.
eRecycler practices reuse by giving TVs to women's shelters, and by re-selling them cheap ( less than $10) at their outlet in Dallas.
Most electronic devices contain a variety of materials, including metals, that can be recovered for recycling. Recycling your waste electronics saves resources and protects the Earth because new metals don't have to be mined. In addition, some electronic products contain high enough levels of certain materials, such as lead, that render them hazardous waste when disposed.
Old computers are many times no longer compatible with current software and are then wiped clean of their files or their hard drives ground up so as to destroy the previous owners data in memory.
Environmental Education Center City of Plano
4116 W. Plano, Parkway, Plano, TX 75093
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The building symbolizes Plano's commitment to environmental, social and economic stewardship.
From the wind turbine and solar array to the rainwater harvesting systems, the LEED-eligible sustainable design creates the perfect atmosphere for environmental learning.
From the wind turbine and solar array to the rainwater harvesting systems, the LEED-eligible sustainable design creates the perfect atmosphere for environmental learning.
Recently opened, it is being used as an educational demonstration, but the building has yet to be fully operational and complete with its planned landscaping due to city budget cuts.
Some of the features that contribute to the Environmental Education Center's LEED-eligible status are:
- Solar and wind power generate 30 percent of the facility's electrical needs.
- Harvested rainwater is used to irrigate landscaping and flush toilets. Dual flush toilets and a waterless urinal help conserve water.
- A pervious parking lot naturally filters pollutants from rainwater before they enter the nearby creek untreated.
- Native, adapted and perennial plant species planned.
- Sustainable and recycled building materials
- Naturally heated, cooled and ventilated With passive solar design.
One major flaw in design however that was realized only after construction, was that the building was not optimally oriented on the site. The largest bank of window surfaces faces the southeast - gaining a majority of the daily heat from the sun.
UT Dallas Campus, Richardson, TX
Student Services Building - LEED Platinum Building
One of UT Dallas’ newest facilities, the Student Services Building, has been awarded LEED Platinum status by the USGBC, the United States Green Building Council.
It is the first LEED Platinum facility in the UT System.
It is the first LEED Platinum facility in the UT System.
We don't see too many Platinum rated buildings of this size - and when we do you, they are mostly government or non-profit buildings because of the initial funding and future operating cost dynamics that are unique to public buildings.
Then, because the building's development interests are many times also its owners, there is more investment in longer-term operating efficiency. Additionally, high operations costs are the first items to get scrutinized in the event of future public-sector budget cuts.
Here are some highlights of the UTD Platinum project's energy saving features:
- “Floating” terra-cotta louvers on the building’s exterior respond to the solar exposure
- The building’s energy efficiency is designed to offer $60,000 annual electrical savings representing a 63% improvement over the average of all buildings on campus
- The building maximizes natual light
- The design incorporates water conservation measures such as Automatic sensors in faucets, Dual flush toilets and low flow urinals.
- There is an 86% water use reduction for domestic potable water and rain water harvesting for irrigation served by a two tank 40,000 gallon cistern.
- Irrigation is in a secondary 20,000 gallon tank where no domestic water is used.
- Drought tolerant landscaping and indigenous planting is provided.
Tour of Texas Instruments with Paul Westbrook
Director of Sustainability, Texas Instruments
300 W. Renner Road, Richardson, TX
TI built the first LEED Gold wafer fabrication facility in the world in Richardson and now they’ve added the first LEED Gold assembly facility.
Paul Westwood is doing some incredible work with Texas Instruments, particularly with regard to saving energy and reducing carbon emissions in TI's manufacturing facilities.
TI had recently received LEED Gold certification for a large semiconductor assembly facility built in the Philippines as well
Paul had great personal stories of how the Richardson project came about in the critical design and decision process. Working with his leadership and sustainable design professionals to make this project a reality was not easy at first, as sustainability principles and benefits were not well understood.
The challenge was to reduce fab costs per square foot by 30 percent ($180 million) from the previous facility by forcing space efficiency (two levels versus three levels) and developing an innovative design. TI partnered with Amory Lovins and a team from the Rocky Mountain Institute to use a green framework. Using “out-of-the-box” thinking, TI decided that using a sustainable design would not cost more.
TI invested less than 1 percent of the project cost (less than $1.5 million) in LEED-related items. Just on the five “big ticket items”, $150 million cost savings were realized. Here is the breakdown: Space efficiency (saved $44 million), electrical reductions in system size and complexity (saved $42 million), chemical and gas improvements ($32 million), mechanical engineering ($22 million), and changes in water plant ($10 million). It is estimated more than $4 million per year will be saved in operations cost—due to a 20% energy reduction, 35% water-use reduction, and 50% emissions reduction.
Paul had great personal stories of how the Richardson project came about in the critical design and decision process. Working with his leadership and sustainable design professionals to make this project a reality was not easy at first, as sustainability principles and benefits were not well understood.
The challenge was to reduce fab costs per square foot by 30 percent ($180 million) from the previous facility by forcing space efficiency (two levels versus three levels) and developing an innovative design. TI partnered with Amory Lovins and a team from the Rocky Mountain Institute to use a green framework. Using “out-of-the-box” thinking, TI decided that using a sustainable design would not cost more.
TI invested less than 1 percent of the project cost (less than $1.5 million) in LEED-related items. Just on the five “big ticket items”, $150 million cost savings were realized. Here is the breakdown: Space efficiency (saved $44 million), electrical reductions in system size and complexity (saved $42 million), chemical and gas improvements ($32 million), mechanical engineering ($22 million), and changes in water plant ($10 million). It is estimated more than $4 million per year will be saved in operations cost—due to a 20% energy reduction, 35% water-use reduction, and 50% emissions reduction.
Here is how TI's met the 5 LEED category criteria:
1. Sustainable Site: TI met this criteria with these attributes: erosion control, alternative transportation access, bicycle storage, carpool parking, protection of open space, use of reflective concrete and shade trees, light pollution reduction, and storm water management.
2. Water Efficiency: LEED certification requires no irrigation on site after the first three years—landscaping must rely on natural rainfall. The category includes reducing irrigation by 50 percent, innovative wastewater technologies, and water use reduction.
3. Energy and Atmosphere: This encompasses chlorofluorocarbon reduction in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment, as well as optimizing energy performance. TI also focused on tools and support equipment efficiency, shell efficiency, and facilities systems integration and efficiency.
4. Materials and Resources: TI recycled almost 90 percent of construction waste, and used many local/regional materials.
5. Indoor Environmental Quality: This includes carbon dioxide monitoring, using low-emitting materials for paint and carpeting, and monitoring temperature and humidity. In addition, TI offered an outside view for 90 percent the facilities spaces.
It was the combination of good market timing, the right suppliers at the right time, and a spirit of sustainabilty clearly championed by Paul that brought the TI Gold certified "Death Star" online to crush the competetition, and at the same time inspire others in the industry to follow suit.
1. Sustainable Site: TI met this criteria with these attributes: erosion control, alternative transportation access, bicycle storage, carpool parking, protection of open space, use of reflective concrete and shade trees, light pollution reduction, and storm water management.
2. Water Efficiency: LEED certification requires no irrigation on site after the first three years—landscaping must rely on natural rainfall. The category includes reducing irrigation by 50 percent, innovative wastewater technologies, and water use reduction.
3. Energy and Atmosphere: This encompasses chlorofluorocarbon reduction in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment, as well as optimizing energy performance. TI also focused on tools and support equipment efficiency, shell efficiency, and facilities systems integration and efficiency.
4. Materials and Resources: TI recycled almost 90 percent of construction waste, and used many local/regional materials.
5. Indoor Environmental Quality: This includes carbon dioxide monitoring, using low-emitting materials for paint and carpeting, and monitoring temperature and humidity. In addition, TI offered an outside view for 90 percent the facilities spaces.
It was the combination of good market timing, the right suppliers at the right time, and a spirit of sustainabilty clearly championed by Paul that brought the TI Gold certified "Death Star" online to crush the competetition, and at the same time inspire others in the industry to follow suit.
Greenland Energy Dynamics is an energy company that specializes in providing and installing home heating, cooling and power alternatives.
Dan Dean discussed with us where the most opportunity for cost savings and efficiency were in considering the typical home. These fell into 3 broad areas:
Greenland Energy Dynamics helps their clients realize more effiecient energy design and useage in both new builds and existing homes. They can help to install
- Water cooled AC systems that utilize a cool mist of water to chill the refrigerant, and are highly efficient resulting in enormous savings on your electric bill.
- Geothermal systems that tap into the consistant temerature of the earth, a highly efficient way to heat and cool homes.
- Solar heating systems that more effciently heat water
AXIOM Sustainable Consulting - Michael Kawecki
Our second speaker of the night was Michael Kawecki from Axiom Sustainable Consulting http://www.axiomsustainable.com/index.html .
Michael discussed the USGBC http://www.usgbc.org/ as well as the LEED certification process http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1988
Michael explained to us that the USGBC is promoting three main objectives in buildings today that reflected the Triple Bottom Line measuement for success.
1. Building with environmental responsibility. This is the idea of taking into consideration from the beginning of a project the impact of a building and its construction on both the local and overall environment. This is an all encompassing idea where design, materials, construction, and habitation are all important factors to be considered.
2. Economically profitable. Profit does not have to be an environmentally ugly word. You just have to make the commitment to profit responsibly. This means that you have to curtail your practices that are successful and have a negative environmental impact. You need to lessen the impact of that process and find another way to provide value without the negative environmental impact. In many cases, you are able to find solutions to sustainability issues and turn that solution into newly discovered revenue stream.
3. Healthy work/live environments: As people spend more and more time in their work environments, and medical science improves the ways it can detect toxins and harmful influences on our health, it becomes more important to ensure healthy buildings.
Mr. Kawecki used the remaining discussion to talk about the LEED certification process, and why builders choose the LEED building standard.
Mr. Kawecki used the remaining discussion to talk about the LEED certification process, and why builders choose the LEED building standard.
I was particulally interested in the newly created Green Associate Credential, and am strongly considering attaining this certification to further my understanding and authority when evaluating sustainable practices in my future career pursuits.
Saturday, July 23
Living Earth Technology 1901 California Crossing Dallas, Tx 75220
We toured Living Earth Technologies (LET). http://www.livingearth.net/. They are a landscaping supply company with 19 Texas locations. Started in 1985, they specialize in soil mixes, compost and mulches. 90 percent of their business serves commercial landscaping and large retailers.
Large trucks are at work constantly moving, turning and loading raw landscaping product from various areas of the yard to awaiting customers. Living Earth Technologies creates alliances with local suppliers like Whiz-Q-Stone and others to provide the best product.
In addition to their lot locations, LET also supplies bagged versions of most of their products. These bags are shipped around the state to Albertsons and Kroger locations for smaller home project use.
Customers can sometimes line up down the street to place their order at the drive through-style window during the peak Spring season
Urban Reserve - Diane Cheatham
#1 Vanguard Way, Dallas, Texas
We met with Diane Cheatum developer of the Urban Reserve. She told us that the site that the neighborhood now sits on was considered by many to be worthless. All the engineers that we tried to work with to develop the site wanted to make it fit existing code. That wasn't what Ms. Cheatum had in mind. Working closly with allies at the City level, she was able to do the unusual and impossible - build a custom sustainable neighborhood development right in the middle of Dallas.
All of the homes in the neighborhood use two on site ponds to regulate and control stormwater run-off and absorption. This way they are able to irrigate all of the developments' common areas as well as the front yards of all the homes. In addition to this water saving measure, many of the homes, including the one we met in have individual cisterns that store from hundreds to several thousands of gallons of water for later use.
All of the homes in the neighborhood use two on site ponds to regulate and control stormwater run-off and absorption. This way they are able to irrigate all of the developments' common areas as well as the front yards of all the homes. In addition to this water saving measure, many of the homes, including the one we met in have individual cisterns that store from hundreds to several thousands of gallons of water for later use.
There are many other energy saving and improving technologies that were used in some of these homes. There was use of non-voc expanding foam insulation in most of the homes. Geothermal was installed in at least one home, while others decided to opt for solar PV panels. The design of the overall neighborhood is something different as well. The lots are aligned to minimize ornamental front yards in favor of larger useable space in the back yard. The easements between homes has also been changed to allow the maximum amount of space to be use not just to separate neighbors, but of actual use to the homeowner.
This uniqueness is found throughout the entire neighborhood. Each house is definitely a custom installation, where no two are remotely the same. While at the same time having an overall sense of modernism while still allowing the embrace of natural element.
5048 Tennyson Parkway, Plano, Texas 75024
EnviroGLAS Principal Tim Whaley
EnviroGLAS® converts post-consumer and industrial glass bound for the landfill into elegant, sustainable and ecological hard surfaces and landscaping materials.
It was in 2002 that a glut of old glass bottles, mirrors and windows became the source for this chic green twist to the classic flooring concept. Publicity in July about the Texas city of Plano’s overabundance of crushed recycled glass inspired the creative solution of combining the multi-colored crystals with epoxy resin to create recycled glass Terrazzo.
It was a perfect match. The city of Plano already had a glass crusher machine that could tumble the glass trash into usable aggregate. A local tarazzo application donated installations to renovate flooring in the City of Plano’s high-traffic public works building and the headquarters of their recycler, Trinity Waste Services. Both projects were stunning, and EnviroGLAS received the Recycling Alliance of Texas’s 2003 “Closing the Loop Program” award.
Glass aggregate from area recycling program now graces floors in numerous north Texas buildings and beyond. In 2004, EnviroGLAS Principal Tim Whaley received a U.S. patent for the “method of making a terrazzo surface from recycled glass”. Whaleyestimates that EnviroGLAS will divert close to one million pounds of glass from landfills each
Tuesday, July 26
Our first speaker of the evening was Matt Reed of Whiz-Q Stone http://www.whiz-q.com/ This company sells and installs a truly unique product. They have been able to construct a water retention system that is customizable in response to the shape of the available build site.
The AquaBlox http://www.rainxchange.com/products/aquablox.php system is truly unique. The basic concept is Legos that hold water. You have all the modular creative flexibility of the Lego design, combined with water tank-like reclamation and holding capabilities.
The blocks can be configured into almost any shape that is suitable to the site. The other main advantage of the system is that when combined with permeable paver systems, they can collect rainwater on a hard-scape that is suitable for both foot and vehicle traffic. He even gave an example of an airport that had installed the Aquablox under an entire runway, to create a multi-million gallon cistern.
We discussed the possible applications of this product in different locations across Texas, and how this relates to our current drought. One of the cool, and sustainable, things that I liked about this water retainment system is that Whiz-Q offers instructional classes, where you can attend an installation event and learn how to do it yourself at your own property. This allows someone to take control over the systems at their home in a way that is not available to other homeowners that might have to pay professionals to install an alternative system. Also, in many other alternative sites, a water reclamation system might not even be possible with out the flexibility of shape and vertically permeable features offered by this system.
Adam is currently experimenting with aquponic designs in his back yard in the Dallas suburbs. He is a public school science teacher. http://greenphoenixfarms.com/?page_id=2
Aquaponics is sustainable food production system that combines a traditional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In the aquaculture, effluents accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity for the fish. This water is led to a hydroponic system where the by-products from the aquaculture are filtered out by the plants as vital nutrients, after which the cleansed water is recirculated back to the fish.
This is an exciting and innovative way to raise fish and vegetables in almost any terrain and climate. When combined with greenhouse and fishery technology, this system produces both products (fish,vegetables) at levels unattainable solely.In Texas there are a wide variety of options for fish, with Tilapia, Catfish and Trout at the top of the list. Almost any vegetable that can be grown in a greenhouse will thrive to unheard-of levels in an aquaponic system.
It is also noteworthy that these kinds of farming systems can be constructed on almost any terrain or location. Since the vegetables are being grown in a soil-less mixture, the native soil conditions are not important. You can even have a farm on top on solid concrete in the middle of the city. People are starting to grow aquponically on their roofs, and even on balconies.
One of the things that I like the most about this system is the fact that many of the systems are designed around recycled and repurposed materials. Many of the home aquaponic systems are constructed out of repurposed 55 gallon barrels and 275/330 gallon IBC containers. These containers are food grade plastic and are used all over the world, and are often difficult to dispose of. This allows people across
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/Travis/IBCofAquaponics1.pdf Many of the people developing these "barrel-ponic" systems are doing so to impact the hunger issue at its most personal level. Teaching people how to grow food anywhere in the world, with materials that are already shipped across the globe.
Saturday, July 30
326 N. Bowen Road - Arlington, Texas 76012 - 817-277-6741 www.korwall.com
Our first site visit of the day was Korwall Industries. This building material fabrication shop was started 1958 and concentrated on mobile home and cold room insulated construction materials. In 1979 the company used the nations energy crisis as an opportunity to change their materials construction, and enter the home building materials market. the entire company history can be found: http://www.korwall.com/SIPs/PanelHomes/company.htmThe product at Korwall is Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs. These building panels are constructed out of LEED certified directional wafer board sandwitched on the outside of an expanded polystyrene foam core.
The panels are constructed in 8x24 foot sheets, with foam 4-10 inches thick (1inch=4R value). These panels are then cut to fit, with possible dimensions of up to 10 inches thick, and 16 feet long. Unlike traditional "stick-built" construction, as long as the board is anywhere within these ranges, the panels are strong enough to be load bearing with out the need for internal structural studs. This allows the building process to be much faster than traditional construction. The walls, floor, roof, is cut to shape before it leaves the fabrication shop. When it arrives on the site with the other pieces, they are anchored and attached. The construction of a SIP build site is up to 70% less than a traditional stick-built home. So, while the initial investment is admittedly 5% higher than traditional cost, this time savings in framing the home helps to recoup the cost if building with SIPs.
The tightness of a buildings envelope is important to its energy efficiency. The SIP system allows for maximum tightness of envelope, combined with ease of construction and amazingly high R value makes SIP construction ideal for energy minded builders.
Korwall claims that the use of a SIP construction will equate a savings of up to one half on bills to heat and cool the home. It was also suggested that the home builder consult with the mechanical engineer on the job to correctly identify the smaller unit for HVAC that will be required by such an efficient home construction system. This can sometimes be an issue, as some engineers are want to "do things as normal" and assign HVAC systems based on square footage, and not actual air circulation and heating/cooling rates.
There are only three SIP manufactures in all of Texas, with one in and out of business, so the opportunity to use SIP in construction is somewhat limited, but now that I know about this technology, I would recommend it to anyone building a new home or new addition onto their home to seriously look into using SIP, from Korwall, in their construction.
River Legacy Science Center
703 NW Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington, Tx 76006
The River Legacy Foundations Park http://www.riverlegacy.org/about-river-legacy.html.
This site turned out to be a great wild, natural 1,300-acre oasis, within the Dallas/Arlington metroplex.
Upon entering the learning center you get a real sense of the place and its connection to the surrounding land. The interior of the center is designed to highlight its open space. Natural trees are used as support beams and the rest of the interior is covered in wood and natural color. The end wall being all glass, lets in tons of sunlight.
The overall design of the building was meant to reflect the shape of a waterbird landing on the surface of a pond. Both the pond and the building were designed at the same time and were envisioned as compliments to each other.
As we continued to the actual park land it reminded me of back home, hardwood forests with lots of heavy undergrowth. We are in one of the worst droughts in the states history, but things here in the RFL were alive and green. This is no doubt due to the close proximity of the park to the Trinity River. Our naturalist guide was on hand to answer questions as well as point out features of interest to our group.
The RFL center offers tours throughout the day, most of the year. In addition to their tours, they teach informative classes to children and adults in the community. They offer children's' nature classes, which introduce and educate children about the plants and animals on the park land. For adults, they offer classes on water conservation and wetland responsibility. In a less formal capacity, the center also has many educational exhibits. These exhibits are educational installations within the center which showcase plants and animals that are found on park land and the surrounding area. The park also offers 15 miles of walking/biking trails, with connections to local trail routs.
The Park shares concerns with all other areas that people want to leave wild. They must be on the watch out for non-native and invasive species. Just like the at the Connemara Meadow Preserve, the RFL park staff fights an ongoing battle against invasive and non-native plant and animal species. They must watch out for the encroachment of these species at the expense of the native wildlife that they have are working so hard to provide a place for.
As we finished up our walk in the woods, by the edge of the retention pond I was able to catch a look at a Green Heron, which is a native bird, and often heard and seen on the park. These birds are fish predators which use their sharp beaks to spear fish out of the water. He hung out for a few seconds and then moved into thicker cover of the forest. It was a great way to end our tour of the park.
McCommas Bluff Landfill
This landfill uses an Enhanced Leachate Recirculation (ELR) system. Basically, they have been able to turn the entire landfill into an enormous compost pile. The theory behind the system is pretty simple. Water (leachate) is circulated through the the layers of municipal rubbish, collected and recycled through the system. This process has two main benefits over a traditional landfill system. Firstly, it allows the rubbish to compact the air space within the trash pile. This is estimated at upwards of 30% of the space of the landfill. This means that reclaiming this dead air space allows the landfill to operate for 30% longer than if the ELR system was not in use. Secondly, and most economically important, is the fact that this process produces gasses that can be collected, refined and used by the local municipal gas company. These gas vents are found all over the property, and will be placed as needed throughout the expansion of the site. The landfill gets paid market price for 10% of the gas collected by the system. The rest is treated and sold by the local municipal gas company. 
The most impressive thing about this place, other than the shear size, was the attention to detail that the engineers and workers paid to the environmental impact of the site. They have a dyke surrounding the property to sepperate the Trinity River and the landfill site. This keeps all river water out of the landfill, as well as keeping all leachate oput of the river. Right next to the landfill are environmentally sensitive areas that they have taken pains to avoid impacting. If more dumps across the country were designed as ELR landfills, we would be in a better situation to deal with our ever-rising amounts of trash we produce as a nation. If ELR systems were adopted as a national policy, not only would we be able to manage our trash for longer in the same location, we would be able to produce an untapped energy stream.
Tuesday, August 2
The Allan Hoffman Company http://www.concretehomestore.com/ is an Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) builder.
Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) are stay-in-place formwork for energy-efficient, cast-in-place reinforced-concrete walls. The forms are interlocking modular units that are dry-stacked (without mortar) and filled with concrete. The forms lock together somewhat like Lego bricks and serve to create a form for the structural walls of a building. Concrete is pumped into the cavity to form the structural element of the walls. Usually, reinforcing steel (rebar) is added before concrete placement to give the resulting walls flexural strength, similar to bridges and high-rise buildings made of concrete. After the concrete has cured, or firmed up, the forms are left in place permanently.
This an interesting system that uses the modular flexibility of a "Lego" block with the rigidness of concrete, combined with the insulating properties of expanded foam. This system allows the concrete workers to assemble the forms on-site with simple tools, pour the concrete into the form, and leave the form in place. This saves time in deconstruction time as well as additional man-hours. It is quite similar to the products of Korwal, but they have combined expanded foam with concrete construction, where Korwal has combined the foam with wood construction.
Building Community Workshop http://www.bcworkshop.org/
A community centered design team. This young achetectual team is focused on bringing in the community into a design in a participatory way. The provide design services in the Dallas area to nonprofits and community clients at reduced fees. These projects must be neighborhood centered and have a focused on giving back. They are investing time and energy to projects that otherwise would not have access to design talent of this caliber for projects that are no less important and are tied to the community as a whole.
Synergy Fish http://www.synergyfish.com/
From their site: SF is designing small systems for private clients, as well as a commercial scale aquaponic system for a large community garden project in south Dallas. SF is very passionate about the ecosystem, in particular the oceans which are under increasing pressure from human activities. SFs ultimate goal is to help save the oceans for future generations by providing an alternative source of food which is not only ecologically superior, but economically superior to the existing paradigm.
Building Community Workshop http://www.bcworkshop.org/
A community centered design team. This young achetectual team is focused on bringing in the community into a design in a participatory way. The provide design services in the Dallas area to nonprofits and community clients at reduced fees. These projects must be neighborhood centered and have a focused on giving back. They are investing time and energy to projects that otherwise would not have access to design talent of this caliber for projects that are no less important and are tied to the community as a whole.
Synergy Fish http://www.synergyfish.com/
From their site: SF is designing small systems for private clients, as well as a commercial scale aquaponic system for a large community garden project in south Dallas. SF is very passionate about the ecosystem, in particular the oceans which are under increasing pressure from human activities. SFs ultimate goal is to help save the oceans for future generations by providing an alternative source of food which is not only ecologically superior, but economically superior to the existing paradigm.
Saturday, August 6
First LEED Gold Home in Collin County
www.ssotx.com 1200 Monica, Allen, Texas
www.ssotx.com 1200 Monica, Allen, Texas
Visit to Lee Halls home. The property, known as TERRACourt, is one of 50 LEED-certified homes in Dallas-Fort Worth and the very first LEED Gold-certified home in Collin County. Lee Hall, president of developer Sustainable Structures of Texas, said the home’s frame reduced thermal bypass by two-thirds, “reducing condensation and subsequent mold growth while working with the cellulose insulation to regulate the temperature inside the home, minimizing the need for heating and air conditioning use. The framing and insulation are also placed in the wall between the garage and main home, preventing vehicle emissions from penetrating the walls into the living space.” The home is a model home, and visitors can commission Hall to build similar properties Sustainable Structures of Texas website http://www.ssotx.com/index.html tells of ingratiated design and sustainable ideas put into practice. It is great to see more and more architects are getting on the green movement and realizing the benefits of building sustainably.
First LEED Silver Certified Eco Dealership http://www.patlobbtoyota/.
3350 Central Expressway, 972-859-4446
The building benefits from its LEED certification by reducing operations and upkeep cost. Our group was given a tour of the site and even access to the hybrids on site. They answered questions about Toyota's hybrid models and the science behind the system.
According to Mr. Lobb, he and his team studied every aspect of the design, performed digital energy modeling, analyzed multiple systems and examined return on investment based on conservative estimates of future energy costs compared to standard auto dealership construction. Pat Lobb Toyota estimates that its energy costs will be at least 20 percent below those of a similar-sized dealership of typical construction in the same climate.
Toyota's green dealership features include:
High UV-rated glass, Water Cistern, Native Landscaping, Recycled Water Car Wash, Reflective Roof, Reflective Concrete Parking Surfaces, Recycling of Construction Debris
Burn Waste Oil to Heat the Building.
McKinney Green Building
4500 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, Tx 75070
This is three-story, 61,800 square foot LEED Platinum office building located in McKinney. The building is a good example of how commercial office developments can be compatiblewith good stewardship of the environment.
The McKinney Green Building uses 60 percent less energy than a customary office building by utilizing Geo-thermal heat pump HVAC systems, energy efficient lighting, sunshade devices, natural daylight, under-floor air distribution, solar hot water heating, and an exhaust air heating and air conditioning recovery system. Over 10 percent of the energy use of this building will be produced by on-site photovoltaic panels. Green power, purchased from a Wind Farm, will supply the balance of any needed electrical energy.More than 75 percent of the construction waste generated at this site will be recycled and will not go to a landfill. More than 20 percent of the project’s materials will be manufactured locally and more than 50 percent of the project’s materials will contain recycled content.
Irigation water is provided by captured stormwater stored on site in underground and above ground containers. The building will use 30% less water than a typical office building, with wastewater being reduced by 50 percent.
This building will maintain a very high indoor air quality by incorporating an Indoor Air Quality Management Plan during construction and before occupancy. Interior construction materials will have a low VOC content. Copy and cleaning product storage areas are separately ventilated by a under-floor air distribution system to give occupants control of the ventilation in their space. More than 75 percent of the occupiable space has access to natural light, with more than 90 percent of the occupiable space having views of the exterior.
Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Urban SolutionsCenter
Demonstration Garden 7001 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, Tx 75070
This parcel of land has been divided into six landscape areas represent the following landscape concepts: cottage, butterfly, wildlife, rock, serenity moon and native plants. This project shows a dedication to conserving our natural resources, to educating the public on conservation practices, and to creating beautiful outdoor spaces for all to enjoy. Nine different turfgrasses will separate each landscaped area. These include: Crowne, Palisades, Cavalier and Zorro Zoysiagrasses, Buffalograss, Premier Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, Tall Fescue and Tifton 10. McKinney Green Gardens is a one-of-a-kind demonstration. This garden leads by example, using resource efficient plants, highly efficient irrigation systems and best garden practices for Texas, while showcasing a garden aesthetic that uses ecologically sensitive green design.
