BC Workshop - Brent Brown and Benji Feehan - UCD-Dallas, TX

Brent Brown and Benji Feehan of BC Workshop presented to us on July 2, 2011.

Building Community Workshop is a 501c3 non-profit established in 2005 in Dallas, TX.  They currently have about 18 people on staff, 6 employees and 10-12 volunteers.  They have a direct design side like a conventional architecture studio except they typically work only for non-profit organizations.  They also self-generate projects (initiatives)

They have a bent toward social responsibility.

They create what may be considered: Unity Design, Do-gooder Design or Public Interest Design.  They refer to it as SEED, Social Equinomic Environmental Design.

They feel the basis of sustainability is ethics.

BC Workshop is about people.  We took ourselves our of nature and we now live in spaces that don't have to have sunlight or wind.

BC Workshop strives to help stakeholders have a voice in the built environment.
They see a fundamental flaw with the system and strive for Design Justice.  They have recognized that doing LEED buildings does not change our behavior.

Brent and Benji provided a presentation on their Congo Street Project.  Congo St. was a part of S. Carrol Dr. in Dallas that was renamed when the World's Fair came to Dallas to warn visitors to stay away from that part of Dallas.  The street had been virtuall forgotten.  It was a 19' wide street with homes that averaged ab out 650 s.f. each.  The streets at both ends of Congo Street had been repaved and Congo had been ignored.  They redesigned the neighborhood and recreated the existing homes into LEED rated homes for the families still living on the street.  The areas along the street have been landscaped with native plants that require less frequent water and attention.

BC Workshop offers lunch and learn events every other Friday in their facility at 2814 Main St. in Deep Elum.

"Design justice through community engagement"

For more information on Building Community Workshop visit:  www.bcworkshop.org

River Legacy Living Science Center - Arlington, TX

RIVER LEGACY PARK & LIVING SCIENCE CENTER

River Legacy Living Science Center - Main Gallery

Sustainable Design

The following information is taken from River Legacy's website:

"A simple fortress of fallen leaves and broken tree limbs, crafted by the creative hands of children, served as the inspiration for the Living Science Center.

We developed the 12,000-square-foot center with the specific objective of minimizing the impact on the environment. To that end, the Center itself is a fascinating study of architecture, conservation and sustainable design.

• Three enormous red oak trees provide structural support for the roof of the building. The trees were salvaged from a city of Arlington street-widening project.
• The entrance drive was carefully routed to avoid trees and to minimize paving and vegetative disturbance.
• The parking lot is constructed of porous pavers that allow air and water to recharge the soil.
• Walkways are made of decomposed granite with an organic resin that makes them firm yet pervious to air and water.
• Restroom walls consist of tiles made from recycled crushed windshields.
• The building’s carpet is woven of fibers that may be continually recycled.
• The Center uses a gray-water system of plumbing. The underground system captures the runoff from drinking fountains and sink materials; then stores, treats and recycles it for use in the landscaped areas complementing the structure.
• Agrosoke, a naturally occurring moisture retention gel, acts as a water reservoir when added to bed and lawn soils."

Anne Alderfer - Naturalist

Our tour began with an introduction to the Living Science Center by our guide and Naturalist, Anne Alderfer.  The center has displays that discuss the vision of the architect who designed the building (Edward M. Jones) as well as samples of the materials and methods incorporated into it's construction.

(left) Anne provided us information about the local native plants along the path.  We stopped here to look at an American Elm tree that was riddled with holes created by Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers.  A native bird that pecks holes in the bark of the trees to cause sap to flow.  The bird returns later to consume the sap along with any unsuspecting insects that might have been trapped by the sticky substance.  The large number of holes indicated that the tree, however large, was under stress or diseased.

We learned about how non-indigenous plants like the Chinese Privet (right) are invading natural areas and pushing out native plant species like Virginia Wild Rice and Inland Sea Oats.  Notice how droopy plant's leaves are.  We saw a lot of this due to the extended drought conditions and high heat in this area.  Many plants in the park are being streessed by the lack of water.

 (left) A Cooper's Hawk's nest sits empty.  The pair of hawks that migrate here annually have raised their chicks and have headed to other hunting grounds  This nest is a short walk from the Living Science Center and a great place to bird watch when the hawks are here.  River Legacy Parks are home to more than 225 bird species.

(right) Anne points out a spot on the base of a large oak tree that has started to decay.  This scar was caused by heavy equipment striking the tree during the creation of the park.  It takes years for damage like this to become apparent.  This majestic tree will not last many more years before it falls and it added to the decomposing matter on the forest floor.  It will become food for future generations of plants and animals.

For more information about River Legacy Parks or the Living Science Center click here:
http://www.riverlegacy.org/

EnviroGlas

EnviroGLAS



EnviroGLAS tabletop in their office building lobby

Today we met with EnviroGLAS founder, Tim Whaley, and enjoyed a presentation provided by him and Esteban Diaz.  Tim describes EnviroGLAS as a "boutique" player in the hardsurface manufacturing industry.  Whaley has a background in Terrazzo and has applied his knowledge to this new type of material for use as counter tops, floors and shower surrounds.

Tim Whaley, Founder welcomes UTA graduate students

EnviroGLAS is a combination of glass and/or procelain and epoxy resin.  The high cost of the resin and short working (pot) life have made it difficult for other businesses to compete against EnviroGLAS.  Whaley has also filed for a product patent to protect his design and further exclude competition.

Terrazzo is made up of large aggregate, crushed marble or granite; small aggregate, sand; and a binder, typically portland cement.  In the EnviroGLAS product these are replaced by crush, washed and tubled glass for the large aggregate, smaller bits of this same glass replace the sand and the portland cement is replaced with a no-V.O.C. polymer-based epoxy resin which is dense, structurally strong and has high adhesion qualities.

The sources for their glass is a highly guarded company secret.  Originally their crush glass came from the Plano landfill.  Now it is sourced through glass recyclers who, tumble, sanitize, sort and bag the product that they use.  For EnviroGLAS to be able to turn out a consistent high quality product they have strict size, shape and density requirements their suppliers must meet.

Tim Whaley explains characteristics of EnviroGLAS products

They produce polished slabs (EnviroSLAB) in a standard 7' x 8' panel in various thicknesses to meet their customer's needs.  The fabrication process consists of dry mixing the aggregates and then adding the dry ingredients to the resin.  The combined materials are then poured and troweled into a wooden frame that has been treated with a release agent so the resin does not stick to it.  Once the slab has set up it goes through a multi-step process of grinding and polishing.  The slabs are sold to outside vendors that fabricate and install the finished countertops or shower surrounds.  It can be worked just like a natural stone material.  Because it has an 80% glass content it is resistent to scratches and heat and carries a Class A fire rating.

EnviroGLAS product sample display

EnviroGLAS has an expected lifespan of 75 years and is guaranteed by the manufacturer for the life of the building.  It has a higher density and hardness than marble and is easily repaired on-site, extending it's potential lifespan even longer.  EnviroGLAS costs about the same as high-end natural granite but has a lower cost of maintenance and ownership which makes it a less expensive product to use over it's installed life.

EnviroGLAS also produces EnviroMODE, a similar product that uses recycled porcelain from tubs, sinks and toilets.  The porcelain is a pre-consumer waste that is obtained as rejects from bath fixture manufacturer's quality control efforts.

EnviroSCAPE is a landscaping alternative to mulch and can be provided in a wide range of colors.  It does not absorb water, is resistent to being blown or washed away in storms and has been tumbled to reduce possible injury from sharp edges.

EnviroGLAS captures waste streams of materials from several sources and keeps them from ending up in the landfill while providing a high end, durable and beautiful product.  A classic example of using one processes' waste as feed stock for a different product.

For more information about EnviroGLAS: http://www.enviroglasproducts.com/

Urban Reserve - 1 Vanguard Way

urban reserve

Entry sign to the urban reserve development

Today we met with Diane Cheatham the developer of Urban Reserve. We were also able to tour her home and part of the Urban Reserve neighborhood.

 The Urban Reserve website describes the development as, "the first community of its kind:
a neighborhood of modern, single-family homes, designed by a select group of regionally and nationally recognized architects. Our goal is to create a unique lifestyle founded on a synthesis of modern design, ready access to nature, a respect for the environment, and the good fortune of a rare and beautiful location just minutes from downtown Dallas."
The houses in the reserve sit upon infill from the White Rock Lake channel construction.  The site originally had a lot of concrete fill as well.  Rather than paying to have the waste concrete hauled to another site to become someone elses problem the developer used it in creating sculpture features and also as neighborhood steps and retaining walls.  Their goal was to use the sites "as is" rather than disrupt the nature that had developed there.

Repurposed concrete slabs act as retaining walls and steps

Several of the neighborhood features were different from standard city codes and required working with the City of Dallas to maintain the vision of the development.  One variance was the roadways into the neighborhood.  They wanted a narrower 22' wide road which required roll-down curbs on one side of the street with the sidewalks constructed to roadway specifications to allow access by fire department vehicles if needed.

#1 Vanguard Way overlooking the duck pond

The neighborhood has two ponds which collect stormwater which is then used to water common areas and front yards.  The Home Owners' Association (HOA) maintains the ponds.  The uphill side of the street "wet side" also features rain gardens planted with horsetail reeds as well as pond and bald cypress trees.  This acts as an area to capture and slow run-off and provides a bio-filter for rain water.





The neighborhood is four miles north of White Rock Lake and connects to the White Rock Creek Trail, a hike and bike trails that eventually will connect to over 35 miles of North Texas  trails including the Trinity River trail system.  It is also close to a DART light rail station.  It is a very walkable neighborhood with engagin landscaping.

We toured #1 Vanguard Way, the first house you come to as you enter the reserve.  The design of the house incorporates such resource conserving features as, proper orientation to the sun, on-demand water heaters, foam insulation, energy efficient windows, geothermal, high SEER 2-speed A/C system and an 18,000 gallon rainwater cistern.  The Cheatham's keep chickens and maintain an indoor worm composting bin as well as outdoor composting as environmentally conscious ways to deal with food waster rather than sending it to the landfill.

#1 Vanguard Way side driveway with "roll-down" curb

Living Room

2nd floor outdoor swimming pool

2nd floor outdoor kitchen and dining area

Chicken coop

Drought tolerant landscaping with Desert Willow

The downhill or "dry side" of the road landcaping is designed to be drought tolerant using plants such as Desert Willow.

For more information about Urban Reserve:  http://www.urbanreserve.net/index.php

Environment Education Center - Plano, TX

We recently visited the Environmental Education Center on Plano Pkwy in Plano, Texas.
The building is a modern style architectural building situated on the site with a prominent southern exposure to take advantage of the warm winter sun.  Roof overhangs help shade south facing windows from the hot summer sun.  The building is located near a bus stop and includes a bike rack as another one of its sustainable amenities.  The windows are glazed with double pane insulated glass for better energy efficiency.

The building, surrounding site and structures include a large number of natural resource conserving features.  Unfortunately the Center itself was closed so we were not able to tour the interior space.

Southern elevation with wind turbine upper left

The driving surfaces and walkways are constructed with permeable surface to help eliminate storm water run-offf.  The driveway was topped with decomposed granit while walking paths were paved with brick pavers.

Landscaping is done with drought resistant native plants and trees.  Landscaping that requires watering is achieved with drip irrigation.  Slow release tree irrigation bags are used around the bases of newly planted trees to help them survive the brutal Texas summer until they become better established.

High efficiency HVAC Condensing Unit - rain barrel is to the left

The center uses high-efficiency  air conditioning units to cool the builing and also has a solar water heater to provide hot water.

Permeable brick paver walkway to the bus stop

The bus stop roof is constructed from recycled street signs.

Photo Voltaic Array on the Parking Cover Structure

The roof of the parking cover has a large photo voltaic array to provide electricty.

The building also has a small area of green roof which was unaccessible during our visit.

Unforetunately the building does have a large unprotected area of glass on the east elevation that allows too much direct light to into the building and to the thermal load of the interior.  A skylite cut into one of the southern overhangs may also allow warm season sun to shine in through the windows on that side.

eRecycler at Christ United Methodist Church - Plano, TX

There’s something unique going on in the parking lot of Christ United Methodist Church in Plano, TX.  Vehicles pull up in cues, workers remove unwanted electronics from back seats and truck beds, electronics are counted or weighed and fork-lifts load pallets of shrink wrapped computer monitors into a semi-tractor trailer.  People in green shirts try to avoid the hot Saturday morning summer sun while doing their job.  It’s all a part of electronic waste or “e-waste” collection program by the company eRecycler, LLC.  Consumers pay a fee to have eRecycler properly dispose of their old unwanted electronics.  TV’s cost $10 dollars regardless of type or size.  The fee for computer monitors is $5.  Other electronics are taken back at a cost of 10 cents per pound.   They will even take microwave ovens as long as they are clean. 

Americans discard an estimated 400 million pieces of e-waste annually.  The EPA estimates that 82% of all US consumer electronic waste goes either to domestic landfills or incinerators.  The other 18% are documented as recycled.  50-80% of the e-waste documented as recycled is really being exported and dumped in developing nations by "sham recyclers", or sent to U.S. prison systems.  In countries such as China, India and Nigeria, exported e-waste is dumped, burned, and processed under very crude conditions that result in toxic exposure to workers and communities.  Electronics contain heavy metals such as mercury and lead.  The average television contains 4-8 pounds of lead.  The fee that eRecycler charges goes to remediate these heavy metals from the electronics they collect so they don’t wind up back in the environment potentially poisoning ground water.  The plastics and other components of electronics contain brominated fire retardants (BFR) which are suspected to have negative health effects to humans and animals.

ERecyclers are a zero landfill company.  What this means is that the electronics that eRecycler collects are disassembled into their basic components.  Parts that can be reused are sent to vendors, other parts are sent to smelters in the U.S. unlike unscrupulous e-waste recyclers that export e-waste to China, India or developing countries where they are burned in open air fires that pollute the atmosphere and poison the people that work in, or live near them.

If you have a computer you need to dispose of eRecycler canv securly dispose of them to ensure any resident data on your hard-drive is wiped clean or rendered inaccessable.  They offer certified physical destruction of hard drives, floppy disks, CDs, and tapes. They also have shredders that will insure your information is safe and completely unrecoverable. Small lots of drives can be destroyed while you wait in most cases.