AUSTIN

The Pedernales Lofts 

http://www.pedernalesaustin.com/

 

1st LEED Gold Multi-Family Project

The Pedernales Lofts were the first Multi-Family LEED Certified Gold project.  The lofts are now mostly owner occupied including the office condos but some units have been turned over and leased out.   The developer/architect designed the lower levels are to be used as flex space.  Most on the lower level are commercial (retail/office) but a few units on the back sided of the development are used as residential.  The community utilizes rain water storage tanks to collect rain water for landscaping.  The idea of rainwater collection may be considered something mostly farmers do, but with the green building movement it’s becoming extremely popular for commercial and residential building in America.  Generally downspouts are connected the gutter system connected to the roof of the building and empties into large tanks.  These tanks store the water for later use.  Rental rates for the lofts are about $1.40 per square foot.  The lofts did initially sell out however the owner of Pauly + Presley Realty who happens to office out of the development questions how much of the popularity of the project is due to green features, versus location and price.  He estimates a 30% Savings in electricity compared to an older building.  In 2005 Austin building codes require certain energy efficiencies which make this level of efficiency common among newer buildings in the City.

The Bercy Chen Studio (Architects)

Blown Aluminum 

http://bcarc.com/

Thomas Bercy of the Bercy Chen Studio suggests sustainable projects ARE more marketable.  City projects almost always require efficiency standards.  He suggests US developers are less susceptible to investment in green building because costs for utilities and water are relatively cheaper than in other countries.   Also suggests that an owner occupant is more likely to build green.  An issue with building green is the additional costs, however appraisers generally don’t see building green as a value added and appraises properties about the same.  Suggests that developers should pursue sustainable building but don’t always pay attention to points systems such as LEED or energy star programs.  The most points don’t always mean the greenest building.  An example of this is using a recycled material during construction may allow for additional points because it’s a recycled but potentially may have a shorter life cycle of the product.  When this product needs to be replaced it causes waste.  Development patterns or urban density and mixed used products that create walkability are some of the most sustainable development.  Zoning however sometimes makes this difficult.  Again Longevity of product and using local products also contribute to sustainable building.   Building materials found locally save energy costs and resources in transportation.

               

Solar Panels on Ronald McDonald House

 Austin Energy
  

www.austinenergy.com

Austin energy has one of the best rebate programs amongst utility providers.  It has the first green building program in the nation and was started in 1990 using the energy star name.  They encourage developers to construct more sustainable buildings.  Goal is to reduce overall consumption and reduce the need for future additional power plants.   They advocate a collaborative approach to design and building and work with developers, engineers, architects to construct buildings that are beautiful, functional, and comfortable, durable, easy to maintain, economical to operate, energy – water –material efficient, healthier, safer, good for the community and the planet.   In the end you have a better building.

5 areas of ratings

• Sustainable Site 
•  Energy consumption  
• Water consumption
• Indoor environment quality  
•  Building materials used

City of Austin requires CBD new builds to have 1-Star rating.  New PUD’s require 2 star rating.  Moving toward a performance based code.   Also advocates energy modeling to assess the amount of energy that will be used, and transparency of energy usage to potential building owners and tenants.

Sustainable Food Center 

www.sustainabilefood.org 

Non Profit that promotes local healthy eating through 3 programs: 1) Farm Direct 2) Grow Local 3)Happy Kitchen . These programs do a variety of things including working with local farmers to sell local fresh foods, teach people to grow fresh foods in community gardens, and teach people to prepare healthy meals with the fresh foods. 

Mueller Development 

http://www.muelleraustin.com/thinking-green/overview

 

The Mueller development is located just a few miles from Downtown Austin.  The development is achieving sustainable development in several ways. 

·         It’s an urban infill development

·         Trees are planted at 1:4 ration (One tree for every 4 parking spaces)  a minimum of 15,000 Trees!

·         It’s a transit oriented development, with rail line in the near future, bike paths and walkways

·         They reuse much of the old runway materials as they can

·         20% of the development is dedicated to parks

·         Home builders and other developers pledge to use native plants in landscaping

Residential homes built are required to be 3 star or greater rating buy City of Austin’s guidelines.  Star rating system is comparable to the LEED program.   The development used runways for filler in landscaping.  Urban Infill that is transit oriented.  Builders get credit for the sustainable site (former airport site) paint used, lighting, HVAC systems, windows, waste collection, spray in foam insulation, rain water collection to achieve 3 star rating.  The commercial buildings on the site are required to be 2-star or better.   Developers provided consultants to help builders get through the hurdles. The development has a 10-20 year plan with flexibility to change with the markets.  Home Depot achieved a 4 star rating primarily by recycling 98% of its construction trash.  The also feature sustainable products within the store.

SOL

http://solaustin.com/

 

An urban infill community with 40 x 90 Lots.  Homes range from 930 sq ft to 1800 square feet.   The development features shared driveways which uses less concrete.  Homes are Net Zero capable which translates to using 55% of the energy consumed by using standard energy code.  Estimate costs to be 15-17% more than conventional construction costs. The development uses the following techniques to achieve Net Zero energy use. 

• The design.  The majority of windows are placed on the North and South facades which helps with direct solar heat.

•  Thermally efficient windows.

• 2 X 6 Construction with Icynene Insulation

• Geothermal HVAC

• Solar Panels

 

SAN ANTONIO

Alamo Architects Building 

Water Storage Tank

Is an adaptive reuse project that was previously industrial.  Owners achieved LEED certification by using as much material as possible from the site. Crushed Granite sidewalks and parking lots allows for a permeable surface.  Building featured a large rainwater storage tank that is used to water the native landscaping.  The building featured paint with low VOC’s, sealed concrete and recycled materials used for separation walls.  Although durability of sustainable products was once an issue, they feel as if the products used were as durable as or more than typical products. The architect recommends using energy modeling on projects to help create a better building.  The company also has sustainable business practices.  Although commercial recycling is unavailable they make a conscience effort to recycle.

Crushed granite Paving

Reuse of Concrete

UTSA Institute for Economic Development 

http://sustainabletx.org

 

City of San Antonio has a green business certificate program with collaboration with the UTSA Sustainable business program, they offer a no cost consultation to business big and small.  Their mission is to help businesses adopt sustainable practices that are good for the environment, as well as the company’s bottom line.  They also offer workshops that cover disaster resilience, environmentally responsible purchasing, LEED certification, sustainable manufacturing and small business These programs are funded by federal government, 5 other places throughout the country received funding.  “You’re only as green as your supply chain!”

Poteet Architects 

http://www.poteetarchitects.com/

 

Focuses on downtown adaptive reuse projects and sees infill as being sustainable.  Poteet views the cost of green as being the biggest impediment to sustainable building and renovation.  Sustainable building still isn’t huge among architects.  He assumes that most architects do it to get more projects.

LEED Consulting: Sustainable Perspectives San Antonio

http://www.s-perspectives.com/

 

The Sustainable Perspectives Group provides sustainable building consulting.  They work directly with building owners, architects, engineers and developers to integrate sustainable building practices into the design and construction of buildings.  There’s a lot of paperwork along with the attention to the materials used during construction has created a niche market of LEED consultants.  The company also trains other people to get LEED Certified and provide a test prep course.  

HOUSTON

Momentum Bay – Mark Robinson Houston

http://www.momentumbay.com/

 

Momentum Bay is a “Green Consulting Firm.”  Mark focuses on consulting C-Level executives and business owners with their quest to go green.  Green isn’t just “green building”  it also encompasses green business practices.  He sees “Green” as a necessary thing and thinks it shouldn’t be marketed by cost savings but with health related issues. 

Green Building Resource Center Houston

http://www.codegreenhouston.org/

The green building resource center features displays and information on going green.  It’s located in the same building as the permitting office so building owners, developers, engineers etc.  must walk through the center to get permits.  The center was constructed to green building standards that include a raised floor system, recycled materials and a rain water collection tank.