|
|
 |
| 
 |
|
|
 |
|
Caples Jefferson Architects
Overview: The Weeksville Heritage Center is a new exhibition and research building, supporting the Weeksville Society and their restored Hunterfly Road house complex. Weeksville was a significant post-Civil War community, and this African-American heritage site contains historical structures original to one of the few identifiably prospering black American communities of 19th century New York. The Heritage Center serves as both a gateway structure, revealing to visitors the full experiential context, and a home for a diverse range of educational and preservation spaces, including classrooms, offices, galleries, performance and lecture venues, and a library.
Sustainable Features: The mission of the Weeksville Society and African-American heritage are celebrated in the design, and integrated with sustainable design features. Natural light not only illuminates the interior but creates geometric patterns that reference African weaving patterns, also thematically used in materials and motifs. The sustainable landscaping subtly evokes the site’s 19th Century past.
The design incorporates sustainable features in subtle ways. Significant energy savings are achieved through a geothermal system, with wells supplying heating and cooling. Controlled natural light suffuses all visitor and staff spaces. This extensive use of daylighting, as well as natural cross ventilation, contributes to the overall comfort and health of the occupants. Rich-looking and green materials include sustainably-harvested Brazilian hardwood, locally quarried mottle purple and green slate, and zinc roofing. The landscape is an important design element, not only as an exhibit, but for storm water management. Water flow is slowed and channeled into a primary bioswale to filter storm runoff. Water within the bioswale will continually drain through a spillway to feed a constructed wetland along Bergen Street; surplus water is positively drained to an existing drywell. Amended topsoils for both the ephemeral pond and lower wetland will be placed over a geosynthetic clay liner, according to standards for natural habitats and constructed wetlands.
Located in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. 23,000 gross square feet / 19,500 net square feet on a 1.5 acre site. Construction cost of $14,000,000. Building completion 2009 (Design commenced 2004).
Client Agencies: NYC Department of Cultural Affairs; NYC Department of Design & Construction.
|
 |
|
| |
Material Conservation
Results
 Construction and demolition waste – 75% minimum target for diversion from
landfill
Recycled materials for a minimum of 5% of materials
Local products given preference – target 20% of materials
Forest Stewardship Council wood products required
Strategies
Construction and demolition waste requirements in documents
Major materials targeted for recycled content, including fly-ash in concrete,
recycled glass counters, steel, gypsum board, toilet partitions
Major local materials targeted include concrete, structural steel, cast iron,
Vermont slate, gypsum board, and landscape materials
Certified wood for architectural millwork and exterior ipe wood
|
|
|  |
 |
SET TEXT
