Sustainable Design - Department of Design and Construction

SET TEXT

Overview

Although New York City is perceived as a primarily “urban” place, DDC’s projects are located in a variety of settings, from parkland to dense urban neighborhoods. Respect for these neighborhoods is expressed in the design, orientation, and scale of the buildings, and through the creation of accessible outdoor space. New York City is an urban heat island, and DDC has emphasized strategies that mitigate heat absorption, such as light-colored, reflective roofs and paving, as well as tree-planting and green screens. Sustainable landscape practices have been used on all of these pilot projects, including selection of native, drought-resistant plants, use of structural soils, enlarged tree pits, and other sustainable planting techniques. Stormwater control has been achieved with increased site permeability, dry wells, detention tanks and constructed wetlands—important strategies because they help reduce the frequency of NYC’s combined storm-sanitary sewer overflows into the rivers and estuaries that surround the city.

Bronx County Hall of Justice Design commenced 1995	Stormwater detained on site Permeability increased Alternate transportation encouraged Urban Heat Island Effect mitigated Neighborhood connectionsreinforced	Increased site permeability, stormwater detention tanks Light-colored, high- reflectance and low- emissivity roofing Extensive green roof on parking area Plaza shaded with trees; light-colored paving used Native, drought- resistant plants Located near subways and commuter rail Bicycle racks and showers Building’s height and configuration designed to minimize shadows and enhance public plaza
ACS Children's Center Design commenced 1998	Neighborhood scale and culture reinforced Alternate transportation encouraged Urban Heat Island Effect mitigated	Adapted reuse of historic McKim Mead and White building Urban setting near public transportation Light-colored paving used in sidewalk and vehicle drop-off
Queens Botanical Garden Design commenced in 1999	100% of stormwater retained and cleansed on site Landscape and building integrated—open space protected and restored Grey water retained and cleansed on site Urban Heat Island Effect reduced Alternate transportation encouraged Brownfield redeveloped Light pollution reduced	Rainwater cleansed in cleansing biotope; grey water cleansed in a constructed wetland Native, drought- resistant plants Extensive green roof, light-colored where not planted Parking permeable, varying with usage Designated carpool parking and charging stations for electric vehicles Bicycle racks and showers
George R Vierno Center Dormitory Design commenced 1999	Alternate transportation encouraged Nighttime light pollution reduced	Light-colored, reflective roofing used Light-colored paving used Shuttle bus to public transportation provided for staff Bicycle racks and showers available for staff Exterior luminaries with cut-off
Williamsburg Daycare Center Design commenced 1999	Neighborhood scale and culture reinforced Urban Heat Island Effect mitigated Nighttime light pollution reduced Street tree health and longevity enhanced	Light-colored, reflective roofing used Light-colored paving used Shuttle bus to public transportation provided for staff Bicycle racks and showers available for staff Exterior luminaries with cut-off
NY Hall of Science: Design commenced 2000	Open space protected and restored Stormwater retained on site Alternate transportation nearby Urban Heat Island Effect mitigated Community outdoor recreation and program space provided	Existing paving removed and replaced with meadow Native grasses, wildflowers, and drought-resistant plants Light-colored roofing Light-colored paving used Urban setting near public transportation
Carl F Kauffeld House of Reptiles: Design commenced 2000	Open space protected and restored Community space provided Education program about different environments Alternate transportation available	Adjacent trees and planting protected from construction Bio-diverse exhibits with educational material Erosion and sedimentation control plan Urban setting near public transportation
Kensington Branch Library: Design commenced 2001	Stormwater run-off reduced Alternate transportation nearby Urban Heat Island Effect mitigated Nighttime light pollution reduced	Native drought- resistant plantings; permeable paving Light-colored, high- reflectance, low- emissivity roofing Skylights and windows screened to limit bothersome light escape at night Urban setting near public transportation
Lion House Conservation: Design commenced 2002	Open space and surrounding historic structures protected Cultural enhancement of zoo experience Stormwater run-off reduced Alternate transportation encouraged Urban Heat Island Effect mitigated Nighttime light pollution reduced	Restored historic building revitalizes central zoo Site landscaping designed to decrease run-off Native, drought- resistant plants Landscaping and trees shade 30% of paved areas Designated carpool parking and charging stations for electric vehicles Urban setting near public transportation; designated carpool parking Bicycle racks and showers
New Sunrise Yard: Design commenced 2003	Brownfield redeveloped Neighborhood scale reinforced, disturbance minimized Stormwater run-off reduced 75% Increased open space Alternate transportation encouraged Urban Heat Island Effect mitigated Nighttime light pollution reduced Air pollution reduced during construction	Site setbacks, activities screened from street Noisy cooling equipment located within roof, away from neighbors Security designed without intrusive night lighting Light-colored, high- reflectance, low- emissivity roofing Light-colored paving used Permeable parking, drywells Designated carpool parking, bicycle racks and showers Urban setting near public transportation Ultra-low sulfur fuel/clean technology used in construction
Brooklyn Children’s Museum: Design commenced 2004	Community space provided Urban Heat Island Effect mitigated Open space protected Alternate transportation encouraged Nighttime light pollution reduced Air pollution reduced during construction	Museum integrated into Brower Park Roof terrace and landscaped areas used for museum programs Adjacent parkland protected Light-colored, high- reflectance, low- emissivity roofing Light-colored paving used Urban setting near public transportation Bicycle racks and showers Ultra-low sulfur fuel and clean technology used in construction vehicles
Office of Emergency Management: Design commenced 2004	Urban Heat Island Effect mitigated Alternate transportation encouraged Nighttime light pollution reduced Air pollution reduced during construction	Light-colored (high- albedo) roofing used – reflectance of 66.6%, emissivity of 0.93 Light-colored (high- albedo) concrete paving and sidewalks Existing site trees protect and shade parking lot and the front of the building Native, drought- resistant plants Designated carpool parking (5 spaces) and charging stations for 7 electric vehicles Urban setting near public transportation Bicycle racks and showers Exterior site lighting shielded from night sky pollution Ultra-low sulfur fuel and clean technology used in construction vehicles
Glen Oaks Branch Library: Design commenced 2005	Stormwater retained and cleansed on site, collected for reuse Neighborhood scale reinforced and outdoor community space provided Alternate transportation encouraged Urban Heat Island Effect mitigated Nighttime light pollution reduced Brownfield redeveloped Air pollution reduced during construction	Library has a landscaped public plaza, with integrated planters Below-grade space keeps building massing consistent with the neighborhood Stormwater detention system, with cleansing Energy Star® roofing, with high emissivity Exterior lighting by shielded step lights, no pole or wall-mounted fixtures Urban setting near public transportation Bicycle racks and showers Ultra-low sulfur fuel and clean technology to be used in construction vehicles Buried oil tanks removed
Weeksville Heritage Center: Design commenced 2005	Scale and character of historic complex enhanced Open space protected, maintaining a community resource in a dense urban area Stormwater 100% retained and cleansed on site Urban Heat Island Effect mitigated Nighttime light pollution reduced Alternate transportation encouraged Air pollution reduced during construction	Open space developed as an interpretive landscape exhibit, recalling 19th Century setting Bio-swale filters and channels storm run-off to constructed wetland. Surplus water drained to existing drywell Permeable, open-grid parking Designated carpool parking and bicycle racks and showers Urban setting near public transportation Ultra-low sulfur fuel and clean technology to be used in construction vehicles
Remsen Yard: Design commenced 2005	Stormwater 100% retained on site Stormwater from roof areas collected/ cleansed for site reuse, saving 1.4 million gallons potable water annually Alternate transportation encouraged Urban Heat Island Effect mitigated Air pollution reduced during construction	Roof rainwater collected in 10,000 gallon tank for reuse. Site rainwater collected in a 72,000-gallon retention tank Oil separators improve run-off quality Bio-swale cleanses rainwater and returns it to aquifer Plants such as gingko, bald cypress, serviceberry, switch grass, and red twig dogwood, which tolerate both wet and dry conditions Light-colored, high- reflectance, low- emissivity roofing Paved maintenance yard is shaded by roof (45,000 sf) Preferred parking locations for DEP hybrid low-emission vehicles; no employee parking on site; near public transportation Bicycle racks and showers