The perfecting ending…technology, education, and nature

Texas Instruments

One of the most interesting sites we visited during this Sustainability Project Studio adventure is the Texas Instruments facility.  This facility was neighboring the levels of a top secret government site, and while that may seem annoying, it definitely added to the intrigue of the building itself.  As we walked in, we had to go through security, sign an agreement, grab a visitor’s badge and put all cameras away, which greatly saddens me because this facility’s technology is bordering indescribable.  Paul Westbrook, the TI Sustainable Development Manager, has worked for Texas Instruments for the past 29 years and has a background in mechanical engineering.  Mr. Westbrook truly takes sustainability way beyond his job.  He’s installed a wind turbine at his home and has also included other green building elements as well. Feel free to check out his website over those personal efforts : www.enerjazz.com/house

           Back to the TI facility, most people don’t have a true depiction of what TI really does.  While most of us know them for their calculator production, they do much more than that.  They manufacture small analog chips that can be found hundreds of everyday items such as: iPads, vehicles, LED light bulbs, smart phones, wind turbines, and e-bikes.  With so much technology that is required to make these sensitive, yet extremely important chips, it’s important to consider the protective and sterile environment that is required to house this sensitive procedure.  Then, one has to ponder the amount of electricity and energy that is required to run this manufacturing process.  It was that concern that sparked the need for a sustainable analysis and green improvements both inside and out.  TI’s facility measures roughly 1.1 million square feet, and approximately 284,000 sq. ft. of that being what Mr. Westbrook calls clean space.  Clean space is the area of the building that requires regulation of human contact, continuous air circulation, static electricity control.  With the continuous air circulation system and the water treatment process in making the analog chips, it’s important to make an effort to control electricity usage and water consumption.  Mr. Westbrook began his sustainability plan by reviewing the Bundtland Report, and applying those principals towards their building.  With that in mind, they decided to include the following sustainable elements to their facility:

1.       Native Meadow Restoration

2.       Rain Water Reuse Pond

3.       Reflective Roof

4.       Dark Skies Friendly Lighting

5.       Exterior Shades

6.       Day lighting

7.       Efficient Lights

8.       Solar Water Heating

9.       Water Turbine

10.   Powered Faucet

11.   Bicycle Parking

12.   Efficient cooling system with waste heat recovery

Once the building was completed and all sustainable aspects were included, the end result produced:

• 20 percent energy reduction (>35% for facilities systems)

• 40 percent water-use reduction

• 50 percent emissions reduction

• LEED Gold Certified Office and Fab

• Invested less than $1.5 million however saved roughly $4 million per year in water and utilities

All of these elements work in tandem with each other to not only save TI operation costs, but also conserves energy and water for neighboring communities.  It was truly amazing to see the efforts that have been made in such a large complex, and to witness the technological advancements that go into producing these tiny, important chips.  With TI facilities being worldwide, it’s a great example of how large companies have the unique opportunity to demonstrate sustainability on a large scale, to all faces of the world. 

~

Plano Environmental Education Center

            As we traveled from the huge complex that was Texas Instruments, we traveled down the road to the Plano Environmental Education Center, which a small learning center that is dedicated to educating the city of Plano and surrounding areas about sustainability and the green movement, which also happens to be the only LEED Platinum building in Dallas and one of two in the Metroplex.  While the center is still in construction along the exterior landscape, the basic facility is completed and in working order.  The brilliant thing about the center’s sustainable design, are the circular plaques that can be found throughout the building, both interior and exterior of the center.  Their notes worth green efforts include:

      Architectural site orientation and layout plan for maximum energy efficiency (roof overhangs, east-west orientation, shade)
 

      Use of recycled/renewable/nontoxic materials (low VOC paint, recycled carpet, tiles, fly ash concrete, glass)
 

      Energy efficient and renewable energy technologies (solar panels, natural lighting, photovoltaics)
 

      Water conservation (rainwater harvesting, gray water recycling, low-flow water system, efficient  irrigation)
 

      Educational applications (interpretive displays, interactive programs, regional training site, workshops,  public presentations)
 

      Utilization of site’s natural features (creek habitat and environmental discovery gardens)

As you can see in the slide show below, the center is peppered with informational signage that educates each visitor as they experience the space and become an active participant in the center itself.

The Plano Environmental Educational Center is a prime example of what can be done to educate the local community.  Its primary purpose is to provide environmental education, but it’s also available to rent out for special events as well.  To take a note from their facility, I wish other LEED certified buildings would utilize the same educational properties, proudly displaying and educating everyone that walked through the doors about LEED and sustainability.  Game on DFW, with only two LEED Platinum Buildings in the area, it’s time for architects and builders to step up their game and start adding their buildings to the list!

~

The Trinity River Audubon Center

          Our two weeks of amazing site visits, learning experiences, and memorable guest speakers ended with one of the most gorgeous buildings I have ever seen.  We had the pleasure of visiting the Trinity River Audubon Center (TRAC), just outside of Dallas, which is one of the LEED Gold buildings in the DFW area.  The Trinity River Audubon Center is a non-profit that offers “something for the whole family – an interactive exhibit hall inviting hands-on exploration; 4 – 5 miles of hiking trails through the Great Trinity Forest and our prairies and wetlands; even our nature store offers enticing artwork from local artists and fun kids games”. 

            As we walked up to the center, the architecture was just astounding! As an architecture graduate, I simply wandered around with my jaw dropped for the first 15 mins.  Most architects design their buildings not only as a form follow function mentality, but often aiming for a simple piece of art.  As you walk up to this building, it looks just that, a gorgeous piece of art that happens to house a business working towards a specific purpose.  To move beyond the beautiful ascetics of the building, you begin to notice signs posted along various points of the entrance.  Similar to those to the Plano Environmental Education Center, the TRAC proudly displays their sustainable features, pointing them out along the way.  Some of those sustainability features include:

      1.   Remediation of a Brownfield Site

2.       Permeable Paving/Stormwater Control

3.       Water-Efficient Landscaping and the Use of Rainwater Harvesting for Irrigation

4.       Minimized Heat Island Effect

5.       Water Use Reduction

      6.       High-Efficiency Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Electrical Systems Daylighting and Views

            As you look through the photos included in the slide show below, pay close attention to the materials used throughout the building. The TRAC’s focus is to preserve the natural habitat, celebrating not only the native prairieland but the nature surrounding it, both vegetation and wildlife.  Even the building itself is shaped similar to a large bird soaring over the grasslands.  While it’s important to discuss the green aspects of this building, I can’t help but enjoy the simple beauty of this facility.  With the use of native wood veneers lining some of the research room walls, natural denim insulation, fly-ash concrete castings lining the walls of the main hall, angled exterior walls with windows to minimize solar impact, solar panels, cradle to cradle furniture, and the use of natural waste filtration within the neighboring ground, this building truly as site to be hold and the architects deserve a kudos for not only designing a gorgeous building but including all the necessary features to lessen its impact on the environment around it. 

            I would like to take a moment to not only thank all of the business owners, lecturers, visitors, tour guides and staff for their hospitality, but I would like to thank our wonderful professor, Mr. Brant Mullen!  This has been an experience I will never forget and have truly enjoyed every second of it.  To be given the chance to see each site, both big and small and everyone in between has been indescribable.  Thank you Professor Mullen for taking the time to organize each visit, ensuring that not only do we get the greatest learning experience possible, but ensuring that each of us arrived safely and at the correct location. :)  The memories I’ll take away from the last two weeks is something that I will hold dear for the rest of my life and now I can honestly say, the fire in my belly has never burned so bright.

Resources

Texas Instruments - http://www.ti.com/

Texas Instruments – Sustainability - http://www.ti.com/corp/docs/csr/company/sustainability.shtml

Plano Environmental Education Center - http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Environmental%20Services/Pages/EEC.aspx

Trinity River Audubon Center - http://www.trinityriveraudubon.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Home

Growing Our World and the Air We Breath

Air North Texas and the NCTCOG

Two representatives, Mindy Mize, the Program Manager and Wendy Vandiver, Communications Specialist, from the North Central Texas Council of Government, the NCTCOG, specifically from the Air North Texas division came to speak about all wonderful government funded programs that are available to the general public.  The NCTCOG is a voluntary association of local governments that was established in 1966 and now covers a 16 county region with over 240 members.  The goals of the NCTCOG are to plan for common needs, cooperate for Mutual Benefit, and coordinating for Sound Regional Development.  The Air North Texas division’s primary focus is improving air quality in North Texas, and other focuses include reducing congestion and enhancing mobility.  As they discussed their analysis process, they discussed the varying air quality ratings and how they use that data to know what areas of North Texas to focus on.

Click to Enlarge

            Their primary emphasis on this program is to find ways to lower the CO2 admissions and other toxins such as Carbon Monoxide, Lead, Nitrogen Oxides, Ozone, Particulate Matter, and Sulfur Dioxide in the air, thus improving our region’s air quality.  Most people don’t understand the details of the rating system, nor the consequences that could possibly ensue from continuous high readings on the air pollution monitors.  The Metroplex has air pollution monitors stationed throughout the area, calculating the CO2 and other toxins in the air, monitoring levels of each in the air.  They take that data and apply it to what we know as the air quality guide, which designates the air quality into a color guide, allowing us to know how severe the toxin levels are in the air.  If the nonattainment area requirements are not met, then the government will pull funding for things such as highways and roads.  Therefore it’s drastically important to make every effort possible to reduce those CO2 admissions as much as possible.  That is where the various programs offered by the Air North Texas come into play.  Below are just some of the programs offered by Air North Texas:

Click to Enlarge

Other things that we can all do to help improve the local air quality include:

1.       Observe the Speed Limit

2.       Use Mass Transit

3.       Walk/Bike to Work or Errands

4.       Bring Your Lunch to Work/School

5.       Avoid Idling

6.       Combine Trips or Drive Less

7.       Confirm You Are Up-to-Date on Regular Vehicle Maintenance

              and State Emissions and Safety Inspection

8.       Use Energy Star Appliances and Switch to Compact

9.       Fluorescent Light Bulbs

10.   Tell Others about Air Quality Programs in North Texas

For further information about programs that are offered here in North Texas and things you can do to help improve the local air quality, please take a look at the Air North Texas website: 

www.airnorthtexas.org

            One final note about Air North Texas, is their Save the Date Campaign that is on July 7^th, from 7am to 7pm.  For more information on this fabulous campaign, please follow the link below:

            This past spring, I spent some time educating my coworkers on sustainability and what they could do on a daily basis to conserve energy.  In July, I began asking them to participate in the Air North Texas's campaign "Save the Date".  As I sent out reminder emails, it was exciting to receive feedback from each of my coworkers and friends to see what efforts they were making to become more sustainable.  As July 7th arrived, we each logged our commitments onto the website and shared what we were doing to be green.  I highly encourage each of you to take a look at this awareness program and get involved!  You just might end up changing a daily habit or two and making a big impact in the long run. :) 

~

Steve Chaney, Horticulturist, Agrilife Extension

            The second guest speaker of the evening was Steve Chaney who is a Horticulturist with the Texas Agrilife Extension Service, which is an agricultural service with the Texas A&M system.  They deal with anything agricultural related, plants, animals, and even water usage and conservation.

Mr. Chaney was a wealth of knowledge when it comes to landscape design, irrigation, water conservation and quality, horticulture and more.  One of the programs he discussed is the Texas A&M’s Earth Kind Landscaping which “uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum garden and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting the environment.  The objective of Earth-Kind Landscaping is to combine the best of organic and traditional gardening and landscaping principals to create a horticultural system based on real world effectiveness and environmental responsibility.”

The Earth-Kind Landscaping Encourages:

- Landscape Water Conservation

- Reduction of fertilizer and pesticide use

- Landscaping for energy conservation

- Reduction of Landscape waste entering landfills

            Mr. Chaney discussed the importance of educating the public on water usage and conservation.  It’s amazing to see how much water our community actually uses, and sadly wastes on a daily basis.  With the high temperatures affecting the area, we have concerns such as over watering, inefficient use of irrigation, and the danger of area lakes evaporating and sediment settling along the lake beds.  As we continue to battle record temperatures, it’s important to keep in mind a few key points that we can do to prepare for the extreme summers to not only conserve water but ensure a higher survival and success rate of individual’s lawns and property vegetation.  Preparing for extreme temperatures for summer includes soil preparation, irrigation planning, and mulch usage, plant Selection to ensure survival and require less irrigation, containers to house vegetation and collect water runoff, and harvesting rain water for landscaping irrigation.  Several basic principles of proper landscaping include: 

• Planning and Design

• Soil Analysis and Preparation

• Plant Selection

• Practical Turf Areas

• Efficient Irrigation

• Mulch

• Landscape Best Management Practices

For further information on improved landscaping ideas and efficient water usage, check out a few of the sponsored programs below.

• Texas SmartScape - http://www.txsmartscape.com/

• Earth Kind - http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/

• Xeriscape - http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/xeriscape/xeriscape.html

• Waterwise - http://www.landscapetexas.org/irrigation.html

            Lastly, he discussed the importance of rainwater collection.  However, many don’t understand how to go about creating their own rainwater harvesting system.  

Making a Rain Barrel

Materials needed:

• Barrel

• Hose Bib

• Adapter

• Caulk

• Insect Netting

• Drills

– Spade Bit

– Hole Saw

• Transportation

Making the Rain Barrel:

1. Get a large container such as a recycled food grade container or a 55 gallon drum

2. Drill a small hole along the side of the barrel, towards the bottom.

3. Drill a larger hole along the top surface of the barrel to allow for water collection.

4. Attach an adapter to the bottom drilled hole to allow for the hose to be attached.

5. Seal the adapter along the edges of the barrel to ensure a water tight fit.

6. Attach the hose to the mounted adapter to allow for water retrieval from the barrel.

7. Optional additions can be made such as a closed collection system along the top of the barrel which can be connected to a gutter system on a building.

8. Decorate the barrel to evenly blend with the surroundings and become part of the landscape design.

            I truly enjoyed getting the chance to hear the expertise of Mr. Chaney.  After my studies in the sustainability program, I have learned a great deal about water conservation and efficiency.  However, after speaking with Mr. Chaney, I realized there was much more to learn.  Moreover, I learned that there is much to do as far as educating the public about water conservation and the potential dangers of not taking on this very important cause.  I would like to thank all of our speakers for sharing their knowledge and educating us on all of the wonderful resources available in educating others in the community.

Resources

Air North Texas - http://www.airnorthtexas.org/

IJAMS Nature Center - http://www.ijams.org/go-green/air-quality-and-clean-energy.html

Texas Agrilife Extension - http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/

Earth-Kind - http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/publications.html#water

Air North Texas – 7/7/7/7 Campaign - http://www.airnorthtexas.org/7777.asp

Recycling...is indeed Revolutionary

Recycle Revolution

Their mission : “Foster a culture of recycling in North Texas, provide outstanding service to businesses that care, and use our success to rally for the causes of good neighborhoodship and environmental awareness.”

Recycle Revolution is a local recycling company in Dallas, located in the Deep Elm District, which was established in 2008 by Eddie Lott.  While most people may think of a recycling plant as a large operation and one that with hundreds of employees and thousands of square feet.  But that simply isn’t always the case.  As we move towards a more sustainable world, you will start to see small recycling centers developing all over the city.  Another misconception is that all recycling throughout the city is done by the city, the waste management company, that too simply isn’t the case.  Course, the majority of the residential recycling services is provided by the waste management department through the individual cities, but for larger businesses, they are finding that utilizing smaller, more customer-friendly recycling companies is a more economical and convenient way to go.  Recycling companies like Recycle Revolution provide a service for a small fee, and offer the convenience of recyclable materials pick up and peace of mind of making the effort to become more sustainable.  Most people don’t realize that they pay for their waste management services.  It’s included within resident’s water bills on a monthly basis.  They even pay for the recycling services within that fee as well.  Therefore, anyone who pays for water utilities, including businesses, is paying for this service.  An unfortunate side of smaller companies such as Recycle Revolution is the lack of manpower and limiting resources.  As of today, Recycle Revolution is limited to large businesses and housing complexes for the simple fact that the cost of transportation to pick up the recycled materials, and pay the staff to do so is costly.  With that being said, Recycle Revolution has essentially doubled since 2008, which is encouraging.  

            Interestingly enough, I learned a great deal about recycling after having visited the recycling center.  My family and I have been recycling far more than we throw away, for a couple of years now; however, I hadn’t realized that we too were contributing so some of the misconceptions and added frustrations of recycling our waste.  The company has two trucks that travel throughout the city to their clients locations, retrieve their recyclables bins, and then return to the sorting center.  From there, they unload the items from the truck, and bring it to their sorting dock, placing paper, plastic, chipboard, aluminum, and more into their respected bins.  To delve further, the paper that comes into the center then requires to be sorted further into their appropriate bins.  You wouldn’t think that paper could possibly be required further sorting, but it very much does, from news print, to glossy, to what Eddie calls the “truffles” which is called hard white that pays roughly $400/ton at the recycling center, which is far more than the estimated $80/ton of news print.  The graph below demonstrates their recycled materials process, from retrieval, sorting, distributing and recycled product usage.

 

Click to Enlarge

            As I come to a short closing, which is monumental for me :), I have to mention a few final thoughts.  First of all, I would like to applaud Eddie and his entire crew at Recycle Revolution for taking on this important cause.  Not many would be willing to not only put forth the effort to take on such a daunting task, but to make the sacrifices that are required to make that dream a realization, is something to be commended for. Secondly, I learned a great deal about recycling, and learned that I too am not properly preparing several of my recyclable items.  It’s important to teach people about recycling, but it’s even more important to teach them the correct way to recycle.  I had never realized how much work goes into putting forth this green endeavor, and to know that there other little things that each of us can do to help improve that productivity, was of great importance to me.  Learning how to properly sort and prepare our recyclables is something that is rarely addressed, but should be.  It was a shame to learn that larger recycling facilities will simply throw a recyclable container or product into the trash because it wasn’t prepared correctly, which weighs in on the amount of items recycled, as well as the manpower needed to sort through these items.  Containers such as milk jugs need to be thoroughly washed out and the caps removed, before placing them into the recycle bin.  This is because the plastic from the lid is a different grade of plastic than the jug itself; therefore, in order to ensure it’s recycled properly, it’s important to remember those extra steps.  Lastly, it’s important to wash out yogurt containers before placing them in the bin as well.  To learn more important tips on proper recycling methods, take a look at the following link below.

http://www.mtnlakes.org/Environment/Waste/How_to_Prepare_Recyclables_for_Collection.htm

Resources

Recycle Revolution - www.recyclerevolutiondallas.com

Pegasus News - http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2011/sep/16/recycle-revolution-comprehensive-recycling-dallas/

An evening at the BRIT

The BRIT, The Botanical Research Institute of Texas, is the ONLY LEED Platinum building in Tarrant County and only the second in the entire DFW area.  I won’t go into detail as to what LEED is, if you’re curious to know, please feel free to stroll through my previous blogs for that information.  However, that being said, I think it’s important to point out a few key points that make this building a LEED Platinum Building.  One of our guides, Richard Smart, walked us through the building and explained the wonderful updates they made to the building to achieve their LEED Platinum Certification.  The points that were earned to order to receive that Platinum Certification are:

·         Sustainable Site – the use of LED and Energy efficient fixtures

·         Sustainable Site – low emission vehicles

·         Sustainable Site – the use of a living roof which helps regulate interior temperatures and assists with water run off

·         Sustainable Site – 76% of the prairielands preservation and restoration of the area’s natural eco-system

·         Sustainable Site – the use of rain gardens which collects water from rain to water plants

·         Water Efficiency – recycling water and the use of rain harvesting in a retention pond

·         Water Efficiency – the use of indigenous plants that require less water

·         Water Efficiency – the use of water cisterns which collects rainwater for irrigation

·         Energy & Atmosphere – the use of rooftop solar panels that provides 14% of the building’s electricity

·         Energy & Atmosphere – light colored exterior walls to reflect light and reduce head impact

·         Energy & Atmosphere – the use of geothermal energy which provides 50% of their heating and cooling needs

As you can see, The BRIT has gone to extraordinary lengths to make their facility as sustainable as possible, using LEED as their guide.  However, I would like to point out that this building isn’t a newly built structure.  Their building was originally the Texas Health Records Building, which means this is a re-adaptive architecture project.  Therefore, this is a great example of how one can take an existing building and retrofit it into what you need, and keeping sustainability in mind when doing so. 

Our second guide, Sam Kieschnick, walked us through their botanical research department.  He was an energetic guy who shows a true passion for what he does and enjoys every second of it.  He took us through their library, the plant preservation studio, and the Herbarium.  It was interesting to see how they collect plants from all over the world, and then catalog them into their records.  One interesting fact that really stood out for me is their process of pressing and drying their specimens.  Once they collect the plant, they place it inside a page of newspaper from that country, with the date of collection printed on it, some dating back to the 1920’s, even samples from China and other overseas countries.  This preservation process helps them record where they collected that sample from and when.  Once they dry that specimen, they carefully mount it on a display board and tag it with its species name, the date, the location found and the type of plant that it is.  As we walked into the Herbarium, all we could see were rows and rows of cataloging storage racks.  Another interesting feature, worth mentioning, is the racks ability to slide along a track and stack up next to one another to save space.  In the slide show below, you will have a chance to see these storage racks in action.   

            To have the honor of visiting the BRIT and learning about their everyday practices, as well as their sustainability efforts was definitely one worth remembering.  It’s wonderful to see businesses such as this taking that extra step to provide for a healthier environment.  And as an architecture graduate, it was amazing to see a LEED Platinum building in person.  While it was a true pleasure to experience that space and examine their LEED properties, it saddens me to know that this is the only LEED Platinum building in Tarrant County and only the second in the DFW area.  I think the BRIT has the potential to become a pioneer for the North Texas community, and become the perfect example of “LEED” by example.  I look forward to heading back to the BRIT during Spring Break, once all the vegetation begins to sprout for the first time this year, and get a the chance to view the facility during their peak time of the year as the earth gives birth to a new season.  

References

The BRIT - http://www.brit.org/

The madness of our first Saturday - sustainable style! :)

Jim Johnson , Director of Downtown Development/TIF District

Our Saturday to remember began with a guest speaker, Jim Johnson who is the Director of Downtown Development and TIF District for The Downtown Forth Worth, Inc.  Downtown Fort Worth, Inc was formed in 1981 to revitalize unsightly areas of downtown Fort Worth, which has since formed the TIF, The Downtown Tax Increment Financing District, in 1996.  “The TIF is managed by Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. and has funded a wide variety of projects and initiatives, from free parking downtown to streetscape and facade improvements.” Mr. Johnson explained the company’s Public Policy with respect to Sustainability as focusing on issues such as water use (storm water runoff), transportation, building codes, and zoning.  And some of the problems they address are:

1.       Master Thoroughfares

2.       Parking regulations

3.       Traffic regulations

4.       Maintaining Streets

5.       Transportation

6.       Regulating Streets and directing traffic flow

a.       Encouraging more foot traffic vs car traffic

b.      Moving towards a design concept called the Complete Street

c.       Controlling street expansion which can lead to urban and city sprawl

7.       City Zoning

Mr. Johnson took some time explaining the highway system in Fort Worth and the importance of street size regulation.  Even the simplest expansion of a highway or street by a few inches can add up to cause a massive and unnecessary urban sprawl that could be easily controlled by mandating a more manageable highway width.  The TIF focuses on a great deal of issues such as:

• Attract investment
• Support tourism and convention business
• Create an environment to attract office, retail, and residential development
• Use the increment to fund public improvements
• Create measurable financial gains for local governments

            The various areas of Fort Worth that have benefited from the TIF are noted in the map below:

As the city of Fort Worth works towards a more sustainable future and revitalized face, they have implemented a plan called “PLAN 2023” which is a “reflect the community’s vision for a livable, healthy, economically vibrant and exciting downtown for the next 10 years”.  The Downtown Fort Worth Inc states, “the plan will build on downtown’s existing natural, cultural, social and physical assets.  It will provide a strong foundation for strategic actions that will shape downtown’s future development, enhance connections to surrounding neighborhoods and strengthen downtown’s role as the heart of the city”.  The company has implemented a timeline, which is as follows:

ESTIMATED TIMELINE:

Issue RFQ December 2011

Proposals Due January 2012

Consultant Selection February 2012

Planning Process March 2012-March 2013

Final Report Spring 2013

            As you can see, the Downtown Fort Worth, Inc is working hard in many various directions to not only revamp several dilapidated areas within the city, but keep a watchful eye on the sustainable efforts with each design and project. It’s great to see a city like Fort Worth implementing a green initiative in some of the most important areas within a heavily populated area such as DFW.  This effort shows how city governments and planners are beginning to embrace the green movement and rebuild our world in the most sustainable manner as possible.  Its efforts like this that will educate the public on sustainability and what efforts each of us can make to heal our earth.

~

Jackson Murphy, President of Green Bean Analysis, LLC

            Secondly, before heading out to venture the lay of the land, we had one more guest speaker who was a wealth of knowledge with green building and sustainable investments and finance.  Mr. Jackson Murphy, who is the President of Green Bean Analysis, which provides services such as Financial Cost & Benefit Analysis, LEED AP Consulting, and Green Building Consulting.  He explained the aspects of investing in green with respect to environmental, social, and governmental.  He went on to discuss the aspects he concentrates on with building green, which includes site planning, indoor environmental quality, material use, energy use and conservation, waste management.  When considering those aspects of green building, a building can reduce each of those by varying percentages.  

         

            Mr. Murphy went on to explain the various types of sustainability building rating systems other than LEED.  While LEED may be the most recognized and often used, it’s often considered a crutch for many businesses that use LEED as a stopping point, often not allowing for further green efforts that can be done, just not observed or regulated by LEED.  Other sustainability rating systems include:

·               Energy Star

·               Green Globes

·               Green Roads

·               Breeam

·               NAHB – National Green Building Program

·               ASHRAE 189.1

·               Sustainable Sites

·               IGCC – International Green Construction Code

Mr. Murphy told us about the window replacement project at the Empire State Building in 2010.  They took over the 5^th floor of the building, and actually constructed each double pane window on the site, and then installed each one, one floor at a time, while the building continued business as normal.  He shared a wonderful arrangement of possibilities in green building and the efforts that are being made to become more sustainable in the built environment.  I thoroughly enjoyed his visit and learned a great deal from him.

~

Bedford Public Library

            As we left the class, we ventured out into the world to scope out what local businesses were doing to support the green movement and become more sustainable.  We traveled over to Bedford to visit their new state of the art library and investigate what note-worthy efforts they were making to create a greener world.  As we arrived, I immediately noticed the gorgeous new building with a very modern look to the exterior.  Once we got inside, Maria Redburn, the Library Manager, met us in the lobby and began answering questions right away.  Before we even had a chance to begin the tour, you could tell the group was excited to see the facility and curious to know about several very obvious sustainable features.  Within the first few minutes, we all noticed the xerioscaping outside and the Solar Panel Meter Reading Console just inside the front door.  As the group settled down and everyone arrived, she began explaining the financial aspect of the project and how it all got started.  Being that the Bedford Public Library is a government agency, the financial regulations and intricacies are far more complicated than any private business.  In order to begin the project, the library began great efforts to raise funds and apply for grants to help fund the project.  In 2005, a tax rollback election closed the Bedford Public Library was closed; therefore, the effort to reopen a community library was indeed of great importance and a valiant community effort.  Per the Bedford Public Library Website:

“The Bedford Public Library Foundation seeks to promote a secure financial future by raising funds for an endowment.  Our goal is to enrich, not replace, traditional tax-based support for the library through gifts, grants and bequests from individuals and organizations to support library programs and projects not normally met by public funding.  The Foundation was formed to spearhead a Capital Campaign to ensure that the new Bedford Public Library will be able to meet the needs of the community.

Funds raised for the Capital Campaign will be used to enhance the following areas of the library:

• Art and Landscaping:  Enhance the new Library by updating and repairing the Globe, creating sculpture gardens and outdoor seating.
• Children’s Area:  Enhance the Children’s Area by raising funds for the Storytime Room, Discovery Room and Toddler Interactive Area.
• Furniture:  Assist with raising funds to purchase chairs, couches and tables to create a comfortable environment for leisure reading and studying.
• Technology:  Purchase 65 computers for the new library to be placed in the Computer, Job and Homework stations, Early Literacy stations and the Teen Center.”

After all the financial aspects were secured and the project was approved, they made the decision to purchase an existing building in 2007, an old Food Lion Grocery Store, and re-adapted it into the new library.  Once they determined that the foundation required for support the enormous book weight load, they moved forward with the grocery store.

Utilizing an existing building and re-purposing it, is indeed a sustainable feature in itself.  But to move beyond that effort, they began analyzing what green features they could include, what their budget would allow, and what would be the greatest return on investment with the quickest return possible.  After much research, they decided to apply their SICO Grant money to install a system of solar panels, which includes a power inverter.  On a total side note, it was a really exciting experience to get to see a power inverter and portions of a PV system in action.  It was also interesting to learn that the inverters that accompany a PV system, have to be replaced roughly every 10-15 years, and costs around $150,000 each.  With expenses like that, it’s important to keep that in mind when trying to calculate returns on investment as well as maintenance costs.  Mrs. Redburn explained that they were able to keep a good portion of the original building, which saved a great deal of construction cost, and they simply added a children’s storytime tower and a few other addition along the interior.  A few other sustainable elements include:

1.  A white reflective roof to cut down on solar absorption – Provided for by a Formula Grant

2. Energy efficiency light bulbs 

3. Geothermal Well Energy System 

4. Low E-glass – protecting the books from natural light penetrating the building 

5. Carpet Squares – made of 80% recycled materials

6. Low VOC Paint

7. Energy Efficient Insulation added to the envelope of the building

8. Strategically placed windows to minimize direct sunlight

Another interesting technological feature, is their AMH book conveyor belt, which is a automated book sorter that not only saves time in sorting the massive amount of books that are returned on a daily basis, but also saves the library a great deal of money by not having to depend on a staff position to sort that great load of books.  Each book is tagged with a tiny chip imbedded in the tag, and as the book passes by an electronic eye, it tells the belt which bin to deposit the book into.  

As you can see, the Bedford Public Library has been through many trials and tribulations throughout their existence, but they have made huge strides to overcome all of their bumps in the road.  And seeing that they had a unique opportunity to become more sustainable and become a showcase for libraries everywhere, they seized the moment and have now become a note worth facility.  I have to applaud them on their efforts and advise each of you to take a moment and visit their library to see all the wonderful sustainable efforts in action.

~

Rahr and Son’s Brewery

Our day of madness ended with our class gathering at the Rahr and Son’s Brewery in Fort Worth.  Though it may seem strange to visit a brewery to examine their sustainability efforts, it simply demonstrates one fact, that it doesn’t matter where you go, what business you visit, or what they do there, almost every business these days has some sort of sustainability effort going on or in place.  With that in mind, I was surprised to find out what actions they were taking to be more sustainable.  Some they didn’t even realize were truly sustainable until after the fact.  

            One of the most considerate sustainable actions they brewery does is donating a ton of remaining wheat barley hops, grain left over from the brewing process each brewery day.  This ensures that no residual grain product goes to waste.  The re-purposed grain products are used as silage for cattle.  They claim that, “the next time you're driving down a Texas highway and you see a group of cows that really, truly seem to be smiling, feel free to smile and nod back at them because you know their secret.”  Which very well may be true, but with green efforts like that, anyone would be smiling.  They also donate their spent grain from a batch of “Ugly Pug” to the Artisan Baking Company where they turn it into loaves of Ugly Pug Jalapeño bread.

Other green aspects being utilized at the brewery include:

·         Use water to cool the beer wort within a closed system, which reduces the amount of water waste

·         Use local materials as much as possible

·         Use locally grown grain whenever possible

·         Re-adaptive a Coca Cola Warehouse in 1847

·         Bottle Recycle Program – Return 20 bottles and receive $5 in “Rahrbucks” to spend at the brewery

·         Bike and Walkable friendly – providing a large bike rack along the exterior of the building

·         Sell their beer only in Texas (Locally)

As you can see, whether you’re visiting a public library, or a local brewery, many companies from many walks of life are taking measures to become more sustainable.  While there may be a frequent list of common sustainable efforts, some changes can very much be tailored to a specific company or industry.  We can take note from those common lists, but it’s up to us to step out of the box and truly analyze what can be done, what changes can be made to become more sustainable, within any walks of life.  And the next time you’re out at a restaurant or in a store, or even on a tour, pay attention to what they’re doing to become more eco-friendly, and if you don’t notice sustainable signs right off the bat, just ask, most companies and businesses will be glad to share what they’re doing to be green!

References

Downtown Fort Worth Inc – History - http://dfwi.org/who-we-are/our-history

Downtown Fort Worth Inc – TIF - http://dfwi.org/what-we-do/tif-overview

Downtown Fort Worth Inc – Plan 2030 - http://dfwi.org/what-we-do/projects/plan-2023

Green Bean Analysis – About - http://www.greenbeananalysis.com/About.html

Green Bean Analysis – Services - http://www.greenbeananalysis.com/Services.html

CoStar - http://www.costar.com/

USA Today – Empire State Building Article - http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2010-07-12-empire-state-building-windows-green_N.htm

Bedford Public Library - http://www.bedfordlibrary.org/CapCamp/home.html

Bedford Public Library – Foundation - http://www.bedfordlibrary.org/CapCamp/campaign.html#found

Rahr and Son’s Brewery – Recycling - http://rahrbrewing.com/community/rahr-recycles.html

University of Missouri – Department of Animal Services - http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G2059