The Conservatory: Florida’s First LEED Platinum Building
Overture Development Group has what some have called the best designed website for a real estate group that I’ve ever seen. It’s incredible looking. They’re 100% confident that green buildings are the future of real estate, too. Financial benefits? Check. Occupancy benefits? Check. Marketing and messaging appeal? Check. Good for the environment? Check. The Conservatory is in the final stages of receiving permitting approval from Osceola County, and once that’s squared away, we’re looking at completion in mid-2008 or so. When finished, The Conservatory at Celebration Place will have 178,000 sf of Class A+ office condominium space spread through six floors. And from the renderings, it looks like there will be a healthy dose of green roofing and solar panels, too.
The Conservatory has been designed and engineered to achieve the USGBC’s LEED Platinum certification. USGBC criteria address site selection, water efficiency, energy optimization, material use and indoor environmental quality. The Development Team includes Overture Development Group, Morris Adjmi Architects, PBS&J – Civil Engineer, Trammell Crow Company and Kinetix – LEED Consultant.
Options for a sustainable project site and building design were limited by the requirements of the Disney master plan and its associated pattern book. Many of the methods and technologies used in The Conservatory were previously unknown to the construction and permitting community. Extensive research and case studies were used to satisfy architects, engineers and the permitting authorities.
Sustainable Site
• The Conservatory is located at Celebration Place, allowing the use of public transportation and existing roads and utilities. Showers and secure, covered bicycle storage encourage employees to bike, walk, or jog to work.
• The 100% green roof keeps temperatures down in the building and reduces the air-conditioning needs as well as the building’s contribution to the urban heat-island effect. It also provides an outdoor area for private and public use.
• Traditional impervious surfaces have been replaced with native plantings and pervious materials which contribute to onsite infiltration and eliminate stormwater runoff off-site.
Potable Water, Reclaimed Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Efficiency
Water efficient strategies will result in a 50% wastewater generation reduction and a 34% overall water use reduction.
• The Conservatory will use potable water only when necessary, not for flushing toilets or for watering plants.
• Rainwater from the roof and graywater from showers and sinks are collected, pre-filtered and integrated into the graywater reuse system.
• Waterless urinals and water conserving fixtures will keep water demand low.
• Pervious paving allows stormwater to percolate into the ground instead of being directed to storm drains and detention ponds.
• Water-efficient landscaping and high-efficiency irrigation technologies will reduce the demand for non-potable (reclaimed) water.
Energy and Atmosphere
The building is designed to experience 18% lower electric utility costs.
• Clerestory and a full-height atrium provide natural daylighting throughout the building, reducing the need for electric lighting.
• Photovoltaics will power the common areas of the building, including hot water in the public washrooms.
• Underfloor air distribution systems, occupancy sensors and energy efficient chillers further reduce the demand for electricity.
Materials and Resources
Materials and resources were selected for the environmental responsibility.
• All new wood used in the project comes from forests certified according to Forest Stewardship Council standards, and where possible, other materials were substituted for wood.
• 86% of the waste generated during construction will be reused or recycled.
• 20% of the materials value in the building incorporates recycled content.
• 20 % of the materials used in the Conservatory have been manufactured within 500 miles of the site.
Indoor Environment
• The Conservatory’s design, incorporating a clerestory and a full-height atrium provides natural daylight to 90% of the occupants and views to 75%.
• Operable windows and an underfloor plenum provide fresh air, circulating 6-7 times per day. The UFP allows for individual control of heating and cooling, and reduces the demand for energy.
Awards/Recognitions/Certifications
United States Green Building Council LEED Platinum pre-certification
Speaker contact info
Cookie Kelly, Managing Director, Overture Development Group.
500 Celebration Avenue, Celebration, FL 34747.
407-913-6333
cookiekelly@overturedevelopmentgroup.com
Web link to more info
www.overturedevelopmentgroup.com
Source: Jetson Green
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