Eames House or Case Study House No. 8

By:  Megan Chupco

 

The Eames House was conceptually designed, created, and built by Charles Eames.  The house is designed on a 150 foot cliff side in Pacific Palisades overlooking the Pacific Ocean and is designed to withstand the moist environment.  When developing the building they wanted to keep nature in mind, there theory was “1. Not destroy the meadow, 2. Maximize volume from minimal materials.”  They developed the residential building in an area surrounded by eucalyptus trees.  The construction used a variety of materials from a concrete foundation to glass, stucco, wood, and metal for the walls and an asphalt roof all composed on a steel frame.  The building creates a grid like pattern from the steel frame, they even emphasize the grid on their furnishings, and façade, ornamentation, glasswork and textiles (Photo at end of paragraph).  The design creates an industrial structure that creates straight lines with 90 degree angles.  The building creates a sense of uniformity through the different uses of planes solid, opaque, or translucent.   Charles Eames created a simple color palette with the use of strictly primary colors to be used throughout the house internally and externally.  

Photo Courtesy by MC Mr. E. © MC Mr. E, available exclusively through Artifice Images

The building is primarily an open plan with the ability to flow from one space to the other in an easy transition.  The exposed ceiling composed of Ferro board decking caused eye directional movement from one end of the building to the other by creating length.  The Eames did use a divider to differentiate between the kitchen and dining area; they used a modern fold door. The entrance and living room are informally divided by a storage area composed of metal doors and the spiral staircase, Eames created a sense of separation without actually dividing the space.  A product they used through most of the house was Factrolite which is a crystallographic type of glass used in the entrance and bathrooms.

Materials

Charles Eames wanted to create a space with minimal materials and was able to combine them all in a visually appealing sense. Several types of materials used as follow:

• Sharply pleated linen and rayon fabric drapery in a natural color by Deering Milliken
• Factrolite by Mississippi Glass Company
• Voit Rubber Tile in a Sea Sand color
• Prefabricated Metal Doors by Republic Steel
• Cemesto Panels painted in the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue)
• US Plywood bird’s eye maple (ceiling)
• US Plywood Walnut (walls)
• Enameled metal cabinets
• Marble Countertops
• White Linoleum tiles
• Translucent Plyon

The use of these materials not only created a sense of harmony and pattern but they were repeated throughout the residence creating a common domain and not being sporadic.

Photo Courtesy by MC Mr. E. © MC Mr. E, available exclusively through Artifice Images

Charles Eames was very talented and not only designed his wife and him their home that they would live in but he designed all of the furniture that furnished the residence.  In the living room he created a built L-Shape sofa along with wood shelving and upper storage cabinets.  They furnished the house with their famous Eames Leather Chair and Ottoman along with their Molded Plywood Lounge Chair.  The furniture maintained that same schematic design of being on a grid with straight 90 degree lines.  The Eames family was extremely on the artistic side and therefore displayed many work of arts by Hans Hofmann to expose contemporary art that was relevant to their style of furniture.

Photo Courtesy by MC Mr. E. © MC Mr. E, available exclusively through Artifice Images

The Eames House is Case Study House No. 8, it was one of the most successful houses out of the 24 that were designed conceptually or actually built.  Being able to start from one idea and transform that idea into something far different than original plan and turn out so harmonious is an excellent accomplishment. I believe the use of materials and craftsmanship that was put into this house made the design come together as an entity.  The Eames house has to be one of my favorite pieces of design both internally and externally.

Resources

http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Eames_House.html

http://www.architizer.com/en_us/blog/dyn/13112/if-you-like/

http://www.docomomo-us.org/register/fiche/eames_house

http://artsandarchitecture.com/case.houses/pdf01/08.pdf

http://eamesfoundation.org/eames-house-history

http://www.nps.gov/nhl/designations/samples/CA/Eames.pdf

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Medical Office-Burnham USA

By:  Andrea Lucks Collins

Medical Office 

Burnham USA

1731 Santa Ana Avenue

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

949.760.9150

I researched a local medical office that is being constructed in Costa Mesa, CA.  It is a single tenant first floor medical office building with 2,200SF. The property is currently undergoing building and landscape renovations.

Burnham USA’s executive management team are experts in all phases of commercial real estate including construction, leasing, and management. The team offers to each project a full spectrum of real estate capabilities including market research, acquisitions, planning, development, finance, construction coordination, leasing, and asset management.

Site Plan

 Cedar Paneling

Products/Materials Used

•       Cedar wall sheeting was used over half the building

•       Pressure treated wood used for the walkway

•       Concrete for walkway and part of construction

•       Modified Bituminous Roofing paper used for roof

•       Aluminum Siding

•       PVC  Piping for water sprinkler system

•       Glass windows and doors

•       Hardware for doors

•       Beautiful plants for landscape

 Back Entrance

 Cedar

Cedar is sustainable and has many different types of species; such as: western red cedar, cedar, red cedar, and Canadian Coastal Red Cedar which are all known for its fine texture soft wood, fresh fragrance, and broad natural colorings and grain patterns, stability and natural durability characteristics. Some of the primary uses are: weatherboards, fascia, paneling, pergolas, handrails, specialty moldings, joinery, and furniture.  The colors of cedar range mellow ambers, reddish cinnamons, and rich sienna browns. The color is complimented by fine-grained texture with a satin luster.

Cedar is much more weather-resistant than other varieties of commonly available lumber. Among little limitations, cedar does not finish well with paint due to the richly grained wood.  Cedar tends to have a lot of expansion and contraction depending on the season. It is also naturally insect and rot resistant, and while it does move a lot seasonally, it doesn’t splinter much over time. It is also water-resistant, and doesn’t require any treatment before being used outside. Cedar walls also have acoustic properties to help quiet rooms.

 Front Walkway

Pressure Treated Wood

Pressure treated wood ensures a long life of wood under natural earth conditions that wear and tear wood. There are different chemicals/preservatives and processes that extend the life of wood, which gives the wood its resistance from being destroyed. Treatment for wood has been practiced “since ancient Greece during Alexander the Great’s rule.”

There have been different hazards previously that have now been sanctioned by the US Environmental Protection Agency as illegal. These chemicals had arsenic and chromium, which are fatal. The overall use for pressure treated wood, is to sustain harsh conditions, and generally used outside.

Concrete

Concrete is a composite construction material composed primarily of aggregate, cement and water. There are many formulations of concrete with varied properties. The aggregate is generally coarse gravel or crushed rocks such as limestone, or granite, along with a fine aggregate such as sand. Concrete is widely used for making architectural structures, foundations, brick/block walls, pavements, bridges/overpasses, motorways/roads, runways, parking structures, dams, pools/reservoirs, pipes, footings for gates, fences and poles. Concrete was invented by the Romans. Concrete is also recyclable, and is in general very inexpensive.

Modified Bituminous Roofing paper

Modified Bitumen roofing is an asphalt-based, close cousin of the Built-up-Roof designed for buildings with low-slope or “flat” roof structures. Engineered modified bitumen roofing membranes originated in Europe in the mid 1960's and have been used successfully in the United States and Canada since approximately 1975. It has increased resistance to brittleness during cold temperatures, greater flow resistance at high temperatures, and increased elasticity can be achieved by blending synthetic rubberized polymers. The benefits from using Bituminous roofing paper is that its water resistant, broad range of application methods, available flame-free and VOC-free installation, and is part of a fire, wind, and/or hail rated roofing system.

Aluminum Siding

Aluminum Siding is used as an alternative to wood. It can be painted any color and can be found in a wide range of vertical and horizontal sidings. It is known for its durability and ease to maintain. Aluminum siding on this building is the outer covering or cladding, which is meant to shed water and protect from the effects of weather. It acts as a key element in the aesthetic beauty of the structure and can really influence the property value in addition.

PVC Piping for water sprinkler system

PVC Piping, also known as polyvinyl chloride. It is the third most widely produced plastic. It’s widely used in construction because it’s durable, cheap, and easy to work with. Depending on different plasticizers used, the plastic can be made softer and more flexible. In this instance, it’s being used as piping for the water sprinkler system.

Glass

Glass is an amorphous (non-crystalline) solid material. It is typically brittle and transparent. Glass is used in the office for the windows, and front and back door.

References

•       http://burnhamusa.com/

•       http://woodworking.about.com/od/typesofwood/p/Woodworking-With-Cedar.htm

•       http://www.hermpac.co.nz/clad_species_western.aspx

•       http://www.cedar-siding.org/why-real-cedar/beauty.aspx

•       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_preservation

•       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete

•       http://www.beaconroofingsupply.com/commercial-roofing/modified-bitumen/default.html

•       http://www.aluminumsidingzone.com/styles/

•       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_chloride

•       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass

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The Crossing, Costa Mesa California

The Crossing, Costa Mesa California

By Jaytee Salas & Lacey Gonce

Photo Credit- John Ellis

The Crossing is a non-denominational Christian church that is anything but traditional. Although the church has been around for over 24 years, their new location on Newport Blvd. & Victoria Street was completed in spring of 2011. Our first impression of the exterior is that it is very modern with steel & aluminum finishes, bright complimentary colors of blue & orange, and roll up garage doors along one side. It is very different from a “typical” church with high cathedral ceilings & stained glass windows. Once you are inside the courtyard you get a much more serene feeling. The courtyard has the brightest green grass I’ve ever seen, steps cascading to the second floor, inviting you to sit down & stay awhile. A beautiful, crystal clear, reflecting pool, which you hear before you see, adds visual appeal and is also used for baptisms. With all the new additions & beautiful features surrounding us, we decided to focus our attention on their new auditorium which covers 22,000 square feet & has three levels. 

Photo Credit- John Ellis

The Crossing sought to create an auditorium that captured their unique style of devotion, a space that could relate to their audience in a way that was familiar, relevant, and modern. The staff at the church worked with church member, Scott Laidlaw of Laidlaw Schultz Architects to design the new auditorium & surrounding courtyard area. We were very fortunate & extremely grateful to sit down with Scott’s partner Craig Shultz at their firm in Corona Del Mar. There we were able to learn more about the design process. We took a closer look at the specifications & materials chosen for the interior & exterior. Also, we got a hands-on look at all of the plans that were used throughout the design process. We learned that the church got its inspiration from the way Hard Rock Café is designed. They wanted an intimate yet rockin’ venue that could integrate a high tech production, but still allow everyone to feel close and connected to the people on stage. 

Photo Credit John Ellis

To accomplish that modern look they incorporated features such as glass & aluminum roll up garage doors, amphitheater seating, clusters of pendant lights with a heart of metal trumpets incased in a body of glass & chic smooth concrete flooring, to name a few. The design team seemed to keep every member of the church in mind with special features such as, a Cry Room, where moms could nurse their infants behind a one way glass window in comfortable rockers while still being able to participate in worship. The entire auditorium is set up with ample ramps & handrails throughout creating barrier-free passages. Built in bookcases were also incorporated to provide members extra bibles just in case you forgot yours. 

Floor Finishes

1.    Entry way and Mezzanine Level:  A Concrete Waxed (CCWX) with natural stain

2.    Lower Level: Vinyl Tile (VT HP) manufactured by Kamdean International, Renoir Plank Flooring, Hickory Pine (REN112), (http://www.karndean.com/)

3.    Cry Room:  Carpet Grey Broadloom (CPT GRY) manufactured by Constantine Commercial Carpets, style- trace, fiber- 100% Antron Legacy Nylon, color- Appalachian Trail (C226L27), (http://www.millikencarpet.com/en-US/company/Pages/default.aspx)

4.    Courtyard:  Ceramic Tile (CTMX) manufactured by Daltile, Keystones unglazed mosaic, 1 x 1 in varied neutral colors [D014 Accent; D026 (40%); D140 (20%); D311 (20%)], (http://www.daltileproducts.com/) 

Wall Finishes:

5.    Interior Paint Typical on all Plastered Walls: Paint Dark Blue (PT-DB [E]) manufactured by Dunn Edwards, Interior Latex Enamel Eggshell, color-Deepest Sea (DE5825) (http://www.dunnedwards.com/)

6.    Interior Wall Paneling:  Duct Liner was strategically used on some of the building’s interior walls to create the acoustical effect the designers hoped for.  To achieve aesthetic appeal Douglas Fir wood slats and a few built in display cases were placed over the lining. 

7.    Exterior Wall with Metal Paneling: Corrugated Steel (MTL-CO), manufactured by Corrugated Metals Inc., Kynar 500, 4in. Box Rib (http://www.corrugated-metals.com/)

Lighting Fixture:

8.    Mood Lighting on Mezzanine: Miles Double Suspension Pendant lights by MODISS, carved transparent crystal shade, satin gold metal, and red textile wire detailing (http://www.modiss.com/)

Seating: 

9.    The seating in the mezzanine area is designed like a stadium or movie theater with cushioned folding chairs. The lower level of the auditorium was designed to be multipurpose area with removable seating.  The chairs used in this area were reused from the church’s previous building and a modern, black, linking chair.

Exterior Element:

10. Garage Doors: Roll up garage doors installed by Certified Door and Dock Equipment, glass aluminum roll up sectional doors (http://www.certifiedohd.com/projects/products/details/?p=23)

The opportunity we had to work with an experienced architect and view first-hand the design process was extremely exciting and educational.  We highly recommend that design students take the time to visit The Crossing to see a marvelous architectural and interior design project done well.  Overall they achieved exactly what they were looking for, a modern, stunning & most importantly inviting place of worship.

Cited Information:

Laidlaw Schultz Architects- 3111 Second Ave, Corona Del Mar, California

http://www.lsarchitects.com/#

The Crossing Church- 2115 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa, California

http://thecrossing.com/

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EnTrust Modern Office

By Wei Ping Ma
Photos 

This modern office is the hedge fund company Entrust Capital's latest­ headquarter in New York City.  It is on the 24th floor of the famous Seagram Building and it has 17,500 square feet. EnTrust Capital specializes in providing investment management services through a range of funds investment products for Public, Corporate and Taft-Hartley pension funds, foundations, endowments and high net worth individuals and families. EnTrust currently manages over $6.5 billion in assets.

Seagram Building is the masterpiece ofLudwig Mies van der Rohe. This skyscraperis located at 375 Park Avenue, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The building has 38 stories, and was completed in 1958. It stands as one of the finest examples of the functionalist aesthetic and a masterpiece of corporate modernism.

The managing partner Gregg Hymowitz, also an art collector, asked  Gensler design company and architect William T. Georgis to design this office for him. Gensler is a global architecture, design, planning and consulting firm with some 3,000 projects every year. With more than 3,000 professionals networked across 41 locations. This firm has an enduring commitment to sustainability.

Hymowitz wants Gensler to come up with a non-typical modern design which is not too edgy, not too rigid but more lively and energetic and yet conforms within the Seagram Building’s existing rigid structures. Hymowitz wants something very creative which no one has ever seen; but it’s quite a big challenge in the Seagram Building where alterations are prohibited within 15 feet of its perimeter.

Gensler design team used many fluid shapes and forms to break the rigid box in the space.  The most creative part to me is the ceiling. They put the fluid mirror-polished stainless steel beneath the luminous, gridded ceiling which was made of typical aluminum-and-acrylic. They made the boring ceiling very interesting without replacing them.

In the break area, fluid and curvy shapes even appear in the wild, crazy veining of the exotic and luxurious multicolored Brazilian marble that lines the open pantry. This contrasts to the plain, modern, brown wooden lacquered cabinetry beneath. The wild yellowish Brazilian marble becomes the main focal point in the white, neat space.  Furthermore, this yellow color is also complementary to the red art piece hanging on the opposing wall. 

Gensler custom-made a ceiling-high file storage which runs 50 feet long across the entire wall in the office area.  The panels are finished in tough, glossy polyester-resin lacquer. The color is in a bold, high-intensity orange. The long and tall file storage is both aesthetic and functional. The color and the texture combined become a focal point and a piece of art itself. There is no need to add any decoration or accessories to this office space. The bright color can bring in energy to the people in the space. 

In the lounge area, the design team used many different contrasting materials for the furnishings. The custom-made liquid dripping gilded coffee table is made by a gold metal with acrylic legs beneath. Charles Hollis Jones stools next to it are composed of acrylic stands and leather-upholstered seats.  The lounge sofa is covered by soft velvet fabric. The paneling behind the sofa is a Macassar ebony wood paneling with glossy finish.  The neon sculpture outside adds another contrasting focal point.

For Hymo­witz's office, the designers picked a biomorphic titanium­ desk (by Laarman) facing an interesting formed chair (by Oscar Niemeyer). At the conversation lounge in the office,there are two different sets of chairs both covered by leather, accompanying by a solid sterling silver coffee table on top of a red patterned area rug made in wool and silk (by Michele Oka Doner). Next to them is a mirrored credenza. All the materials in this room create an efficient yet creative and sleek vibe.

 In the reception area, the solid-surfacing laminate counter and the flooring have a matte finish which contrast with the glossy, lacquer finished wall.  The art work suspended behind the reception area is created by etching words on mirror-polished stainless-steel. For the furniture, a hard, glossy coffee table (by Joris Laarman) contrasts with the leather- upholstered sofa and fabric-upholstered chairs with silver metal stands (by Jacques Gardel).

Overall, the designers were trying to create many contrasts in this office space.  There's a constant tension between glossy and matte, fluid and straight, hard surface and soft surface, man-made and natural, edgy and conservative, creative and rigid. The designers were also playing many combinations such as leather versus acrylic, metal versus leather, stainless-steel versus fabric. There are endless possibilities in the design world..as long as the designers can create a harmonious and balanced space.

References:

http://www.interiordesign.net/

http://www.gensler.com/

http://www.jorislaarman.com/

http://www.sarlowick.1stdibs.com/store/furniture_item_zoom.php?id=359731&view=1

http://www.micheleokadoner.com/

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OASIS Senior Center: Sustainable & Universal Design

By Yuko Uto & Veronica Montes

OASIS Newport Beach in California, LEED Sliver Certified senior center facility, was built in 2010.   We were attracted and intrigued by its sustainable concept and the subtle application of universal design.  Our first impression, admiring the entrance with its modern Architecture and serene landscaping, was that this center was more of a social club than a traditional Senior Center.  

According to Ms.Celeste Jardine-Haug, Senior Service Manager of OASIS, the vision for this facility is to create an atmosphere to stimulate active older adults with many educational, recreational, cultural, and social services, helping them live an enriched, active and independent life in a contemporary and inspiring environment with a traditional feel.   The seniors and the Friends of OASIS, the non-profit organization that provides both financial and volunteer support to the center all participated in OASIS’s 36,500 SF space planning process.

The designers of OASIS, Robert R. Coffee Architect +Associates, are known for their practice on designing and planning public buildings.  They believe a public building is a statement about the people and the community and/or organization it serves.  They strongly believe that well-conceived environments enhance the efforts of businesses, organizations and individuals to reach their goals and to live happy and fulfilling lives. 

At the entrance, you will see beautiful horizontal lined exterior wall which is recycled concrete called Artisan® Lap siding from JAMES HARDIE COMPANY. The siding creates deeply defined shadow lines for a premium aesthetic.  Additionally, their patented DuraTech™ technology provides superior structural integrity and wet, humid and cold climates, wind, hail, insect and fire frame-resistance.  JAMES HARDIE’s unique tongue and groove design means tighter tolerances for a precise fit and finish.   Durability, non-combustibility and less need for paint, all of these are important factors in green building.

At the central courtyard, you find monolithic Cordova Shell limestone columns (Thinset Stone Tile TEXAS CUT STONE INC).  This rough textured and characteristic cream colored limestone compliments the organic inspired senior center. The finish is smooth. Many void shell fossils are showing.  The voids are not filled and the color variations are minor. Carvings are not perfectly clean using this stone but in this case that is not an objection.  The same material is found at the family room fireplace, connecting the outdoors with the indoors.

When you enter the administration office, you will find light green carpet tile which is beautifully installed in quarter turn.  The corded chain stitch carpet tiles which are manufactured by Shaw Industries, are made of Eco SolutionQ® Nylon with backing Ecoworx® as fiber, multi-level pattern loop as its construction, and 92% solution dyed and 8% yarn dyed method.  This is 100% recyclable sustainable material.

At the fitness center, Rubber Floor tiles were used for the flooring, in beige (I62) and green (I10) colors. (RANFLEX SPORT FLOORING/MONDOSPORT I).   This is a pressed homogenous vinyl flooring with an embossed opaque and non-slip surface, special for gyms.  It has an adhesive installation on a subfloor.  Polyurethanes are the single most versatile family of polymers there is.  It is a pre-manufactured product; this means product uniformity is guaranteed reducing recycled waste, and it has also high durability.

At the classrooms, Vinyl flooring was chosen, on Dove grey (2621) and Rosato (3120) colors.  FORBOFLOORING SYSTEMS/MARMOLEUMReal. This company takes care of the environment from an ergonomic, economical and ecological point of view. Life-cycle analyses (LCAs) are applied to quantify the potential environmental impacts of the product system over the lifecycle.  The results of an LCA of a number of floor coverings rank Marmoleum first as a nature-friendly floor covering. In addition, Marmoleum earned an honorable mention for its long lifespan.

At the art room, you will find cardboard solidz panel base cabinets which are manufactured by FORMICA  on four of three sides of the classroom walls.  The base cabinets have beige Corian® as their countertops which are  made by DU PONT.  Both panels and countertops are recyclable materials.  This Corian® has been certified by Scientific Certification Systems to contain 20% pre-consumer recycled content. Since Corian® is durable, long lasting, easy to clean with soap and water or water based cleaner, heat resist, and Class1(A) fire rated, and doesn’t grow mold and mildew, it has unlimited way of use in variety of colors and design, for such as interior walls, partitions, furniture, sink etc.

The restrooms had installed an organic textured wallcovering by LANARK/ loom , contrasting the smoothness of the ceramic tiles, creating a warmer ambient to the space. This is a type II vinyl wallcovering with 100% recycled polyester non-woven.   This conventional vinyl wallcovering had to get a high quality perforation and proper installation on a permeable wall surface in order to increase its permeability.

The universal design and sustainable concept is present all over the place and in every detail, even in the furnishing.  Steel Stools from HERTZ FURNITURE SYSTEMS  are used in the classrooms. 20 gauge die-formed steel seat fully curled edges for strength and safety.  Legs are seam-welded for superior strength and durability.  The seat size is an ample 14 inches in diameter and it has adjustable-height.  Foot rings are welded to each leg at four points for extreme durability.  They have MAS Certified LEED & CHPS, green certification special for schools.

There are many outdoor lounge chairs in the central garden where people gather for a break Those chairs are designed not only for universal design with stable four legs and two arms, but also for green design by OUTDOOR DESIGN STUDIO. The frames are made by recycled plastic lumber and joined in OUTDOOR DESIGN STUDIO trademark method of furniture construction “mortise and tenon” and all fastening utilizes marine grade stainless steel hardware, leaving no compromise to excellence.

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Environmental Nature Center, Newport Beach, CA

By Manal Bozarth and Mary Jane Rumbley

The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) is located at 1601 16^th Street in Newport Beach, CA.  The ENC is a 3.5 acre nature center with a 9000 sq ft interpretive center that provides quality education through hands-on experience with nature.   ENC’s interpretive center was awarded the first LEED Platinum building certification in Orange County in December 2008 shortly after it opened.[1] 

Photo courtesy of Costea Photography, Inc

The site was designed by the sustainable design experts and architects at LPA, Inc.  The LPA experts implemented the design concepts that made it possible for the ENC to achieve the LEED Platinum rating.  They made the most of the site location and natural resources.  [2]

Everyone who visits the ENC learns about the benefits of environmentally-conscious design through the application of new technologies. These include powering the building from renewable resources such as solar panels and the implementation of green design strategies which provide a healthier indoor environment.  The minute you enter the center’s lobby you feel the calm and pleasant environment that has been created through the use of these techniques.

This is truly an amazing place.  Most of the ENC’s systems were created to work with and use site’s natural recourses.  For example, some of the sustainable features at the ENC include

• Optimized building orientation – The east/west orientation captures sun and sea breezes;
• Bicycle storage and shower facilities;
• Drought tolerant, indigenous landscape;
•  Fixtures that promote water conservation - such as waterless urinals and low-flow faucets; and
•  Efficient storm water management and daylight harvesting.

In addition, photovoltaic roof panels convert sun light into power and provide for 100 percent of the building's power needs making the ENC a "net zero" building, a new model for sustainability. [3]

Guests enjoy natural ventilation without the use of heating and/or air conditioning.  There are dimming systems and occupancy sensors that control lighting systems.  And of course the center has an aggressive Sustainable Education program for all ages of visitors.  And finally, the center uses green housekeeping techniques and products.

The extensive use of recycled and recyclable materials in the ENC interpretive center building includes: insulation made of recycled blue jeans; countertops of- 100% organic and recyclable material; recycled

material carpeting, building siding and fences, epoxy finished cement floors and paint.  The following is a list of these features, and the manufacturers and suppliers used in the building. 

Renewable Energy Systems: 
The ENC’s system is a no emissions system composed of solar panels and a wind turbine backup system. Perhaps the greatest benefits of solar lighting are the environmental benefits. Solar lighting does not contribute to global warming in any way.  All electrical needs are supplied by solar panels that are attached to the roof of the building and a wind turbine that is powered by the coastal breezes. 

1. Potovoltiaic Panels – Sharp Corporation Inverter – SMA, SB600U!

2. Wind Turbine: Seahawk Vertical axis wind turbine by Pac Wind, Inc. – 500 W capacities and is tied to the power grid.  It provides additional electric and has a battery backup system.

Photo courtesy of Costea Photography, Inc

Water Conservation:

3. Dual-Flush Toilet: Caroma USA, Caravelle 270 Elongated ( WWW.caromausa.com) Ultra Low-Flow Lavatory: Delta 501 Classic with RP31704

Renewable Building Materials

4. Natural Denim Insulation: Bonded Logic, Ultra Touch Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation (www. Bondedlogic.com)
5. Recycled Material Carpeting: Shaw Contract Group, Malang Moder Mace Carpet Tiles (www. Shaw contract group.com)
6. Renewable Cabinet Materials: 

1. Cabinet fronts and tops – Dakota Burl, produced from sunflower and other agricultural products.  Manufactured by Environ Biorcomposits.
2. Cabinet shelving and interiors – BIOFIBER Wheat, produced from wheat straw. Also manufactured by Environ Biocomposites
3. Counter tops in classrooms – Forbo, Marmoleum (www.themarmoleumstore.com)
4. Work surfaces and conference table in Staff Offices, Glacier Green MDF by Plum Creek

7. Building Siding and Fences: Trex Accents decking material (www.trex.com)

Paints and Finishes

8. Epoxy Finish on Cement Floors:  Epmar Corporation, Sta-Cret 2900 Deries, High Gloss Epoxy Coating ( www.epmar.com)
9. Paint: Frazee Industries, LO-GLO Interior Acrylic Enamel and other finishes 
   
   Window Systems
10. Pella Architectural, Green InsulShield Glass, dual-pane aluminum frames windows with Low –E glass (web.pella.com)   
    
     Photo courtesy of Costea Photography, Inc
    Green-e Certified Power: The ENC purchases Carbon Offsets from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to replace traditional polluting sources of electricity with clean, secure, and renewable sources of energy that come from solar and wind power.
    Overall this project is a model in the community showcasing responsible environmental practices and the marriage of sustainability and good design principals in creating a dynamic and organic architectural statement.  The ENC is a “must see” for anyone with an interest in the future of our planet and is an excellent example of what sustainable design principles can achieve. 

  

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[1] http://www.gatalinka.com/Environmental_Nature_Center.html
[2] http://www.lpainc.com/

[3] http://www.airah.org.au/imis15_prod/Content_Files/EcoLibrium/2011/December%202011/2011_12_F03.pdf

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