11:55 AM
Design Teacher
By: Kristiana Burgi
Located in the center of Laguna Beach, the Susie Q Senior Community Center has become a meeting place for the city’s residents. The community center is
not only for senior citizens but also for people of all ages. The focus was to
create a place for all ages, “defy stereotypes,” and have everyone come
together to become a part of the community. Built by LPA, the structure represents
sustainability as most of LPA's buildings portray. From the outside to
the inside, the structure stands “green” with simple lines. The facility
contains a lobby and reception as you enter the building, a library room with a
fireplace, fitness studios, an art studio, computer lab, game room, conference
room, kitchen, storage area and parking garage.
During the construction of the building, fly-ash was incorporated
in the concrete. Fly ash is the material remaining from coal-fired electric
generating plants. With all of the excess ash from these coal-fired plants, it
acts as a recycled element when used with concrete. It reduces segregation,
meaning it prevents the ash and concrete from separating. This can increase the
strength, and reduce porosity. The use of fly-ash with concrete can also help
to prevent the reinforcing steel from deteriorating. Most importantly, it saves
water and does not have a big impact on a budget.
Throughout the
building there is a lot of structural steel. “Structural steel produced in the
United States contains 93.3% recycled steel scrap. At the end of a building’s
life, 98% of all structural steel is recycled back into new steel products.” ASIC.Therefore, steel is
not only recycled but “multi-cycled” considering it can be recycled more than
once. This is called cradle-to-cradle material. Using structural steel protects
our natural resources, is durable, and strong in compression and tension. It is
also not difficult when modifications are needed and can adapt to changes in
the structure.
Located around the building, the sleek steel windows
are dual-glazed windows.
They create an insulator to prevent heat from escaping, reducing over fifty
percent of heat loss. During the Winter, the windows help retain heat and in
the Summer, helps to minimize heat gain. This can greatly lower power bills.
The windows can act as a UV light protector, reducing the amount of UV light
from entering the building and limits how much it can create the furniture and
carpet from fading. Lastly, the dual window provides a sound buffer against
outside noises. This was one of the things I was most impressed with being
inside the building. Each room felt peaceful and quiet. Every time I stepped
outside, I could not believe all the noise that was not able to be heard from
inside.
Additional windows include aluminum-clad wood
windows. A chemical bond is created between the aluminum and the paint to
abstain chalking and fading. Chalking is when paint breaks down and a white
powder starts to appear. Fading occurs when UV rays hit the wall with paint and
causes the finish to fade.
In the kitchen and the offices, bamboo cabinetry is used. Hard and strong, yet highly
renewable and sustainable. Bamboo grows faster than trees and remains intact when
the bamboo stalks are stripped. The stalks are cut into strips and then glued
together to form boards and planks. Compared to wood, Bamboo does not swell and
contract as much. The only downside to bamboo is the costs for transportation.
Since it is located in distant areas, the cost to transport it to the site you
are working on with me more costly than purchasing a local material.
The flooring contains sustainable carpet choices
that consist of a minimum of ten percent recycled content. On the walls, low-emission
paints are applied. Low-emission paints help to decrease ozone-depleting
contaminants. Low-VOC products behave well in terms of coverage and the ability
to clean easily. Water based paints are the easiest to clean with just soap and
warm water. By implementing low odor paints, it creates no off-gassing for a
clean environment.
Around the perimeter of the building and in the Garden, all plants are watered through drip irrigation to conserve water. Inside, the sinks and toilets are labeled as an energy star product. The center has created a very efficient way to lower water usage.
In the end, the overall project is reported to have recycled at least seventy five percent of any construction waste. I consider the whole project to be a huge success. Not only were all the materials sustainable, you get a tranquil experience inside the building. Every day there is constantly activities going on and people socializing.
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