Bright ‘n Green Certified 4 out of 4 GBI Green Globes

 

We recently completed a Green Globes® New Construction Stage II Assessment for the Bright ‘n Green Condominiums in Brooklyn, New York.

 

The Green Globes Assessor visited the site and discussions focused on substantiating the points from the online self-assessment using the construction documents, records of the design and construction processes, specification sheets, shop drawings, logs, meeting minutes, reports, and other relevant information.

The group toured the project as part of the assessment and verification process.

Bright ‘n Green achieved 837 of 912 available points for a score of 92{7330b322b9b7d58bddbbaef66cde22ad1f12db8c79c6d80901517aa2b253a342} – the equivalent to Four Green Globes®.

Project Management
Scored 36 out of a possible 50 for 72.0{7330b322b9b7d58bddbbaef66cde22ad1f12db8c79c6d80901517aa2b253a342} of the available points.

• – An integrated design approach was specified from the beginning of the project and implementation continued throughout the design process. Project documents demonstrated active participation by the architects, mechanical and civil engineers, construction management, activity users, and commissioning team.
• – Environmental purchasing was addressed in the specifications for required recycled content, regional materials, insulation, steel, masonry, concrete, carpet, and low VOC’s paint and sealants.
• – A commissioning team has been engaged; document review, operations manuals, and testing of the HVAC equipment is nearing completion.

Site

Scored 115 out of a possible 115 for 100{7330b322b9b7d58bddbbaef66cde22ad1f12db8c79c6d80901517aa2b253a342} of the available points.

• – The Bright ‘n Green Condominiums is not located on a flood plain, wetland, or wildlife corridor.
• – Overhangs from the building cover sidewalks at the entrance façade.
• – Soil and erosion controls are included in the project, and were carried out during construction.
• – The roof is designed to minimize heat island effect.
• – The project includes green roof areas.
• – Exterior lighting is designed to minimize glare and promote dark skies.
• – Storm water from the site and from the roof is directed through a runoff system to water storage tank for reuse.
• – Preservation of site ecology has been considered in the adaptive use of a bio-swale feature.

Water
Scored 71 out of a possible 71 for 100{7330b322b9b7d58bddbbaef66cde22ad1f12db8c79c6d80901517aa2b253a342} of the available points.

• – Rainwater is captured for reuse in flushing toilets.
• – Water efficient fixtures include dual flush toilets, low-flow lavatory faucets, and water efficient shower heads.
• – Individual apartments have their own water meters.
• – All the irrigation water comes from a non-potable source.
• – The project includes a composting facility for solid waste, which reduces the demand on the municipal combined sewer system.
• – Water is filtered through a bio-swale, which is featured at the front of the building.

Resources, Building Materials and Solid Waste
Scored 78 out of a possible 80 for 98{7330b322b9b7d58bddbbaef66cde22ad1f12db8c79c6d80901517aa2b253a342} of the available points.

• – From the early stages of planning the team discussed and researched materials intended to assess and then to maximize potential LCA strategies for the building assemblies and materials.
• – Recycled materials were used in the structural materials and in the interior finishes.
• – Low maintenance items were specified to improve durability in items such as stone flooring exposed concrete walking surfaces, stone tile walls in the lobby.
• – The exterior panels and modules of the building are unitized and removable, so that additions and alterations can be made with minimum new work.
• – The Bright ‘n Green Condominiums include the use of woods from sustainable sources, and feature wood from repurposed crating materials.

Emissions, Effluents and Pollution Controls
Scored 33 out of a possible 53 for 62{7330b322b9b7d58bddbbaef66cde22ad1f12db8c79c6d80901517aa2b253a342} of the available points.

• – Emissions are reduced to a minimum by the use of solar water heating.
• – Zero ODP refrigerants are used in the efficient heat pumps that serve each apartment unit.
• – Measures appropriate to the region have been taken to prevent accumulation of harmful chemicals below the substructure.
• – The design allows only a limited amount of rainfall runoff is carefully controlled for quality.
• – Structural pest-control methods are in place.

Energy
Scored 329 out of a possible 368 for 89{7330b322b9b7d58bddbbaef66cde22ad1f12db8c79c6d80901517aa2b253a342} of the available points.

• – The project team created energy calculations for the building using Trane-Trace software. The building uses 42{7330b322b9b7d58bddbbaef66cde22ad1f12db8c79c6d80901517aa2b253a342} less energy than a baseline case.
• – The building interior has been optimized to reduce the room sizes and public circulation space.
• – The building is sited and oriented to minimize the effect of microclimatic conditions.
• – The construction documents require that triple pane glazing, with, thermally broken windows frames.
• – The thermal resistance for the wall and roof is well in excess of code requirements.
• – The elevator feature regenerative braking.
• – Photovoltaic panels provide a high percentage of the building electrical supply.
• – Solar panels provide most of the building domestic hot water needs.
• – Carbon dioxide and humidity sensors maintain optimal comfort while minimizing use of heating and cooling equipment.
• – Ventilation is provided through heat exchange equipment, which reduces heating and cooling loads.
• – The Bright ‘n Green Condominiums has access to public transportation on a frequent scheduled basis.
• – LED lighting is used extensively, reducing the electrical demand of the building.
• – Ventilation air is tempered through sub-surface ducting before introduction to the building.
• – Geothermal wells provide cooling and heat rejection.
• – Metering and other building management metrics assist in the maintenance of energy efficiency measures.

Indoor Environment
Scored 175 out of a possible 175 for 100{7330b322b9b7d58bddbbaef66cde22ad1f12db8c79c6d80901517aa2b253a342} of the available points.

• – Air intakes are suitably protected.
• – The ventilation system rates meet the requirements of ASHAE 62.1-2004 using the Ventilation Rate Procedure.
• – The ventilation design is designed and controlled to ensure that air exchange is effective.
• – The building automation system is designed to control temperature and humidity levels to prevent fungus, mold, or bacteria growth. Ventilation is controlled to increase air flow when excess humidity is detected.
• – The building management system is also designed to control lighting levels for energy efficiency and appropriateness to the time of day.
• – Temperature controls are maintained on all hot water storage systems to avoid Legionella disease.
• – The mechanical system has the capability to provide 100{7330b322b9b7d58bddbbaef66cde22ad1f12db8c79c6d80901517aa2b253a342} outdoor air maintaining adequate indoor conditions while the temperature is above freezing.
• – The mechanical design meets the requirements of ASHRAE 55-2004 for Thermal Comfort.
• – The documentation confirms minimum VOC levels for paints, wall covers, floor materials, and sealants.
• – The lighting system was designed to be compliant with the IESNA Lighting Handbook.
• – Local lighting control is available in all spaces, some by automation and some by individual control.
• – Views to the outdoors are available to a high percentage of interior occupied spaces.
• – The building orientation and the interior layout minimize the impact of exterior sound sources. Field testing was performed which documents this achievement.
• – Construction documents indicate adequate attenuation of sound pollution due to mechanical systems and allow appropriate control of acoustic privacy requirements.
• – The HVAC and plumbing system were installed with sound isolation devices and insulated duct work to mitigate acoustic problems.

 

 

Green Globes – an established green building guidance and assessment program created by the Green Building Initiative (GBI) and American and Canadian Homeowner Associations –works to advance the environmental performance and sustainability of New and Existing Construction.

The rating system is based on 1000 points with buildings that achieve 35{7330b322b9b7d58bddbbaef66cde22ad1f12db8c79c6d80901517aa2b253a342} or more eligible for a certification of one, two, three, or four Green Globes.

 

 

 

 

 

Rating Charts courtesy GBI.