Introducing the First Annual Green Awards

Here at gb&d, we’re always looking to bring our mission, “to create a more sustainable world,” to life. As we geared up for this issue, and with it, the 2015 installment of the AIA National Convention, we decided one impactful way to do just that would be to celebrate the host city of this year’s gathering, Atlanta, and award its projects that are leading the charge of incorporating sustainable building practices.

We invited architects from across the nation to submit their best Atlanta-based building projects completed after January 1, 2013 and invited Randall Buescher (AIA, vice president and director of architecture at Epstein); Devon Patterson (AIA, LEED AP BD+C, principal at Solomon Cordwell Buenz); and Wayne Sherod (LEED AP, quality control manager and project manager of James McHugh Construction Co.) to help us judge the submissions based on originality in design, function, and of course, sustainability.

“I think that the largest, most distinguished organization of architects should be out championing and advocating these issues of sustainability within its organization as well as to the public, so I think it’s great that you asked us to support these sustainable design awards,” says Melody Harclerode, president of AIA Atlanta (who also serves as this issue’s guest editor). “For us to be a part of these first-ever awards is an honor. It’s an honor that you see AIA Atlanta as an entity that is championing green design.”

Although Atlanta was the co-presenter of this years’ Green Awards, we plan to follow the AIA National Convention each year to recognize sustainable building in each city it visits. But for now, sit back and enjoy the winners of the first-annual Green Awards.

Set on the back nine of a former golf course and adjacent to the existing Drew Charter Elementary Campus, the new Charles R. Drew Charter School Junior and Senior Academy sits on one of the highest points in Atlanta and finds its inspiration in the existing landscape forms, as well as the breathtaking views of the city below.

Ample natural light basks onto what will ultimately be a student body of 1,000 middle and high school students.

Tracking LEED Gold, the building is an example of a high-performance school that intelligently responds to its environment while supporting its educational program as well. Within the campus, you’ll find flexible learning suites to nurture Drew’s focus on what they call “STEAM” (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics), as well as project-based learning labs for each grade level; state-of-the art science, engineering, and design labs; integrated performing and visual arts studios; a 525-seat performing arts center serving students and the community; two gymnasiums; and a full-size track and field for both athletics and community wellness.

Natural light was a huge priority for the client, so all of the learning spaces are fully glazed, and daylight pours in from all directions, basking onto what will ultimately be a student body of 1,000 middle and high school students. Locally sourced and manufactured materials such as field stone, glass, and concrete make up the majority of the building’s structure and envelope. The project team also used low-flow plumbing fixtures and low-emitting materials, such as the linoleum floors, while recycled trees from the nearby golf course fairways comprise the wood rail and stadium seating in the central atrium. Additionally, solar panels on the roof provide 10% of the building’s energy, while rainwater collection is funneled through troughs in the pavement at the building’s edge that direct it to water features in the adjacent lawn.

This campus boasts two gymnasiums and a full-size track and field for both athletics and community wellness, uniquely designed to allow for ample natural light and views to the outdoors.

A roof overhang and series of exterior sunscreens that increase in number—responding to sunlight on the building’s facade—provide shade and mitigate heat gain without sacrificing daylighting and views. Planting beds and raised planters helping with storm-water management also define the front plaza while grounding the building and providing a continuous outdoor learning and social area.

Flexible learning suites nurture Drew’s focus on what they call “STEAM”: science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

A roof overhang and series of exterior sunscreens that increase in number—responding to sunlight on the building’s facade—provide shade and mitigate heat gain without sacrificing daylighting and views.

SECOND PLACE
Decatur Fire Station #1 by Smith Dalia Architects

The building is designed to achieve a 33% reduction in energy consumption and a 30% reduction in water usage, which both contribute to a 43% cost-savings.

Built as a modern or “international”-style station back in 1956, this public icon was recently adapted for modern use and picked up a LEED Platinum rating along the way. The complex, unique adaptation both preserved the building’s classic ‘50s aesthetic while also re-programming the space, which included masonry repair; the replacement of the roof, windows, overhead doors, and interior finishes; and necessary upgrades to both the mechanical and electrical systems.

COLLABORATORS/ PARTNERS
Owner City of Decatur Architecture Smith Dalia Architects
Leed Consulting & Administration Smith Dalia Architects
Interior Design Smith Dalia Architects
MEP & Structural McVeigh & Mangum Engineering, Inc. Commissioning Agent HESM&A, Inc.
Contractor D.A. Edwards & Company, Inc.

Much of the interior changes came as a result of the fact that the station has long been home to a co-ed fire department. The living spaces were finally adapted for true co-ed use, as the architects converted the original dorms and restrooms into innovative, private sleeping pods and bathrooms. All the while, sustainability was at the heart of the overhaul; here, you’ll find high-efficiency equipment and lighting; low albeda white PVC roof membrane; an extensive green-roof succulent garden; a geothermal vertical closed-loop heat pump system; solar water heating; and rainwater harvesting and greywater reclamation. The building is designed to achieve a 33% reduction in energy consumption and a 30% reduction in water usage, which both contribute to a 43% cost-savings.

“This thoughtful renovation of a Mid-Century fire station integrates a series of sustainable mechanical systems that aggressively reduced its energy consumption while preserving an existing structure.”
– Devon Patterson, principal, Solomon Cordwell Buenz

In This Project:

• Geothermal vertical closed-loop ground source heat pump systems: With 10 wells that are 500 feet deep, this system replaces bulky exterior-located condensers and cooling towers and utilizes the constant temperatures of the earth to exchange heat for the cooling and heating process.

• Solar thermal water heater: A 120-gallon solar storage tank provides 71% of hot water needs, saving approximately $600-700 in annual gas consumption.

• Rainwater harvesting: A 5,000 gallon, below-grade storage cistern collects rainwater from roof surfaces and stores it for non-potable usage, largely for washing the fire trucks.

• Greywater reclamation for toilet flushing: The system collects and treats greywater from showers and lavatories to use for flushing toilets.

The station features an extensive green-roof succulent garden and outdoor seating space.

THIRD PLACE
Nike at Lenox Square Mall by Nike’s in-house design team and TVA Architects