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GREENLEAF PROFESSIONAL BUILDING

Owners: Gregory Charboneau, EdD, BCIAC (Licensed Clinical Psychologist) and
 Dulce Bustamante, MA, LMHC, CMI (Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Medical Interpreter-Spanish)
Design Coordinator/Solar Consultant: Don Stephens, InA, Terratech Eco-Design (509) 838-8222
E-mail: don@greenershelter.org Consulting

Click thumbnail for larger view. Mouse over thumbnail for caption.

CHECKLIST OF FEATURES & HIGHLIGHTS OF BUILDING/PROJECT:

SYSTEMS

• Active solar:
  • Annualized Geo-Solar (for supplemental Thermal Space Heating) Air-based transfer
  • Photovoltaic (future ~4KW grid-tied array, currently in design…also to serve as weather-cover over parking)
  • Passive solar design (minimal, direct-gain.)
• Alternative/innovative building envelope/exterior walls:
  • Foam/cement composite ICFs (Rastra plank)
  • Wafer and multi-layer frame & infill
  • R-40 walls
  • color-integrally stuccoed
• Energy efficient windows/Daylighting:
  • Fiberglass-framed thermal windows (area reduced by 65% from previous aluminum-framed window area)
  • Sun-tubes in roof
• Roof radiant barriers: Cool-roof/WP coating over existing roofing
• Roofing Insulation upgraded to R-50 and heat build-up actively scavenged for AGS
• Green roof/walls:
  • Vine-cover at roof and walls
  • Modular, planted green-roof units
• Rainwater catchment: 1,000 gallons, plus sub-grade rain-ponds
• Water conservation with low-flow fixtures and rainwater-based drip irrigation
• Wastewater minimized.

MATERIALS

• Engineered wood elements and salvaged wood reuse
• Alternative framing system, for insulation AND noise management
• Low VOC and non-toxic materials
• Recycled/reclaimed materials (various)
• Minimization of materials (no paint on stucco, stained concrete floors, etc.)
• Construction waste reduction:
  • job-site recycling
  • soil stockpiling
  • donations to resellers.

OTHER

• Reduced EMF/noise-transmission.
• High efficiency on-demand water heater, LED lighting, radiant-electric ceiling panels, with individual 7-day thermostats by room, Night-Breeze cooling, air-to-air/micron-filtered ventilation with AC split back-up
• Minimized impact on site:
• Permaculture/Xeric/energy-managing/native/salvaged materials landscape
• Plantings for screening, for noise, usage separations and view
• Permeable paving & re-contouring for run-off management & aquifer recharge
• Rainwater absorbing wet-foot plants over sub-grade rain-pools (see diagram)
• Other site analysis (existing flora, fauna, etc.)
• Automobile-related: electric car charging station/EV use by employees

This project is scheduled for completion December 2008.

Designed Kilowatt hours: Grid-tied PV to match anticipated consumption, designed to reduced total site electrical consumption by over half from previous building-usage

Descriptive paragraph

Although we believe this project would earn high ratings, IF submitted for “Leadership in Energy and Environment” (LEED) certification, we are electing instead to divert the sizable expenditure for such a review process, into “green” upgrades and explanatory signage to inform building visitors. The insulation levels are being up-graded by over 300% from “existing” (and the new, non-load-bearing Rastra walls’ cores are being filled with a “self-mix” (instead of conventional concrete), to increase R-values of these elements by 40% above their conventional performance, while reducing cement use. The Annualized Geo-Solar features will extract summer heat from the attic space (reducing cooling needs) and warm the under-floor soil (lowering winter heating demands). The AGS-supportive, sub-grade perimeter, water-diversion/insulation “cape” ALSO reduces foundation-depth requirements, again reducing concrete use and preserving funds for other, more environmental up-grades. An interior “Green-wall/fountain” will enhance indoor air quality and sound privacy (as will the noise-isolating construction of both perimeter elements and partitions.) The site-integrated, landscape-enhanced design upgrade and grid-tied PVs will be very visible demonstrations to all traffic going by on the busy arterial, and a sound long-term investment for the building owner, while the sun-power provides climate-friendly building electricity and recharges electric vehicles.

Guiding Design Principle

The eco-friendly design and healthy-materials focus are tangible reflections of the benign and nurturing approaches taken by the mental health professionals who will be utilizing the facility, once completed.

Directions to Site

The project is located on the northwest corner of the intersection of 17th and Ray, in the eastern part of Spokane’s “South Hill.” To reach it from the I-90 Freeway, take the Thor-Freya off-ramp, and head south on the Thor-Ray arterial to 17th. From the South, from 29th, take Ray north to 17th. This site can be viewed as a “drive-by”, or you can stop for closer inspection, to speak with the Design Coordinator, between 11 am and 2 pm and examine the kind of ELECTRIC VEHICLE that will be used by the office manager and recharged at the site. Because of construction conditions, parking is NOT currently available on-site (we usually recommend parking just north, on 16th), The building interior will not be open to touring and visitors should act with due caution, as they are considered welcome, but to be “proceeding at their own risk.”