Success Stories: Washington's New DVA Sustainability Designed Facility
The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs is currently working on new construction at a skilled nursing facility in Port Orchard. This project has incorporated many green building features designed to enhance the livability of the building as well as reduce energy and utility cost. The U.S. Green Building Council (USBGC) is expected to certify the project as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) facility. The USGBC developed LEED to:
- Define "green building" by establishing a common standard of measurement
- Promote integrated, whole-building design practices
- Recognize environmental leadership in the building industry
- Stimulate green competition
- Raise consumer awareness of green building benefits
- Transform the building market (1)
From its inception, the building had been carefully planned with sustainability and quality of life as its major focus. The designers from NBBJ stated: "You live where we work and we work where you live" stressing the importance of maintaining quality of life for residents while the new construction was taking place. A number of outdated buildings were dismantled to make room for the new facilities. Rather then send the old building materials to the landfill, local operations recycled the materials. Delivery of the new construction materials was specifically coordinated in a timely manor that eliminated the need to re-move heavy loads around the site, thus saving more time, energy, and money.
A diverse group of architects, engineers, interior designers, and landscape designers worked with the contractor and the state to create a structure that took full advantage of the areas natural systems for maximum energy efficiency. This synergy of ideas resulted in a number of innovations including setting a natural cooling precedent for state projects. Rather then using conventional air conditioning as required by the Department of Health, the design team decided to place the building in a way that would allow the site's natural waterfront location to help keep its occupants cool. High ceilings along with high and low windows controlled with a "coordinated sash" create a natural convection current of warm air rising that flows out from the high windows, while cool air enters through the lower windows.
When veterans open their window, the coordinated sash opens both the top and bottom windows with one smooth motion. Solar energy will also be manipulated with the use of overhangs, fins, and shades to naturally control the temperature throughout the building, further reducing utility costs. Natural wood furniture was crafted by the Department of Corrections for resident's bedrooms. The surrounding area will be attractively landscaped with native plants which will help save on water use and reduce the use of synthetic chemicals needed to maintain the landscape. Eliminating the need for gasoline powered maintenance equipment saves on fuel costs and also avoids high exhaust emissions and green house gas. (2)
Sources Cited
(1) USGBC http://www.usgbc.org/leed/leed_main.asp
(2) DVA http://www.dva.wa.gov/AgencyInfo/SustDesn.pdf
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