Green Architecture

and

Design Features
 The "Greening" of
'A Building for our Bays'
With so many new homes and businesses in
the Inland Bays watershed, the Center for the
Inland Bays worked with a "green architect"
consultant to incorporate some "green" design
elements and materials into its new headquar-
ters on Indian River Bay in order to demon-
strate to the public "environmentally friendly"
design and construction.

The first commitment to sustainable design

was the "recycling" of the building itself, from
its first use as the former Coast Guard bar-
racks to its new use of the DE Center for the
Inland Bays.

Energy Star Audit

Energy Services, Inc, was hired to conduct an En-
ergy Star Analysis which focused on heating, cool-
ing, dust and insulation. A site visit was conducted
to help with the air sealing and to ensure that the
building is well-insulated; a blower door test was
used to check the tightness of the building enve-
lope; remaining leaks were identified and caulked.
The 6-inch walls allowed a good level of insulation
and the windows are low-E insulated.

Walls
CIB specified the use of recycled drywall composed
of reclaimed gypsum. Low VOC (Volatile Organic
Compound) paints were used.

Flooring
A variety of flooring materials which are either
recyclable or composed of recovered content
materials is installed including:

• Sisal (a natural fiber from the

sisal plant) is used in the breeze-
way
• Cork tiles (refinishable, recycla-
ble, and a renewable resource)
are used in the Community
Room
• Bamboo (a renewable grass) is used for the
seams and trim in the Community Room
Solar Electric Sytem
CMI Electric, Inc. de-
signed and installed a
photovoltaic system to
provide electricity for the
new Building. The 4.8
Kw system is connected
to the Delmarva Power
grid.
A gauge in the commu-
nity room gives real-time
data on electricity generated.

The Delaware Energy Office offered a 50% rebate

for this project, which is estimated to produce 30%-
35% of our electricity needs.

Casework and Countertops

Casework in the Conference
Room includes a laminate com-
posed of Kraft paper containing
40% recovered material.

Countertops in the kitchen and

reception area are made from
Enviroslab™, a recycled glass
and melamine product.

The kitchen has built-in

recycling stations for plas-
tic bottles, paper, glass,
aluminum, and plastic
bags.

Furnishings
The Conference Room ta-
bles are made from cast aluminum legs composed
of 70% recycled metal; tops are solid hardwood
plywood from sustainable forests; the surface is
linoleum, a natural project made from cork and lin-
seed oil, which is both recyclable and bio-
degradable.

Table desks in staff offices are made from certified

wood and recovered content steel legs.

Upholstery in the Community Room is made from

recovered content fibers.

Patio furniture (chairs, benches and tables) is

manufactured from recycled plastic milk jugs.
Plumbing fixtures
Low-flow faucets were installed to conserve wa-
ter and dual-flush toilets have been ordered
and are awaiting delivery and installation.

Native Landscaping
A boardwalk leads through a newly created
dune habitat planted with native species.
South of the boardwalk are coastal native
plants including beach plum, bayberry, wax
myrtle, and native grasses; little bluestem, In-
dian Grass, broom
sedge and Panic
Grass.

North of the
boardwalk, there
are natives from
more inland ar-
eas; New York
ironweed, skull-
cap, inkberry,
swamp rose and
many more.The
demonstration
garden adjacent
to the building will
be more seasonal
in nature and will
use plants beneficial to birds, small mammals,
and insects.

Visitors will be able to see the variety of plants

native to our watershed, and learn about small-
scale rain gardens, rainwater re-use as a con-
servation measure, and solar power.

The boardwalk and benches are made from re-

cycled plastic lumber.

Rainwater Collection and Re-Use

Rainwater is collected from the south roof and
used for a variety of purposes, including as a
source of fresh water for the created wetland.
Also, rain water is stored in rain barrels and
cisterns; solar-powered pumps are used for
wash downs and irrigation. Overflow from the
rain barrel is directed to a "rain garden"- an
infiltration area planted with native vegetation.
 Why Build "Green?"
Did you know?
Typical building construction, use, and demoli-
tion, as well as the manufacturing of building mate-
rials, contribute significantly to environmental
problems.

In the United States, buildings account for:

• 36% of total energy use
• 65% of electricity consumption
• 30% of greenhouse gas emissions
• 30% of raw materials use
• 30% of waste output (equal to 136 million tons
annually)
• 12% of potable water consumption

A typical 1700 sq. ft wood frame home requires

the equivalent of clear cutting one-acre of forest.

Despite all these intensive inputs, we are not

constructing healthy buildings. More than 30% of
buildings in the US have poor indoor air quality, a
serious problem given that most people spend about
90% of their time indoors.

Green building also has tangible economic and

public health benefits. These include lower operating
costs via reduced energy and water utility bills, and
reduced maintenance and replacement costs due to
greater durability of materials. The use of non-toxic
materials in residential construction is especially
important in protecting children from respiratory
and other diseases.

By building green, we can assist in preserving

natural habitats, watersheds, and ecosystems, pro-
tect air and water quality, reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and solid waste, all while conserving
natural resources and creating healthier indoor and
outdoor environments.

From the Green Building Resource Center:

www.globalgreen.org