LEED Facts »
| Certified August 2009 | |
| Gold for NC | 44/69 |
| Sustainable Sites | 9/14 |
| Water Efficiency | 5/5 |
| Energy & Atmosphere | 4/17 |
| Materials & Resources | 7/13 |
| Indoor Environ. Quality | 14/15 |
| Innovation & Design | 5/5 |
Architect: ARQ Architects Civil Engineer: Northeast Engineers & Consultants Commissioning Agent: WSPF&K Contractor: Behan Brothers, Inc. LEED Consultant: ARQ Architects MEP Engineer: WSPF&K Structural Engineer: Northeast Engineers & Consultants Project Size: 19,300 sq. ft. Total Project Cost: $7,000,000 Cost per square foot: $365 Photographs courtesy of Hennessy Productions
Project Background
The design attempts to reconcile the multi-faceted programmatic requirements of a progressive animal care facility, including individual animal rooms, a behavior and training wing and a state-of-the-art veterinary medical suite with the boundaries of a highly constrained development footprint. The project replaces an existing, single-story building of over 10,000 square feet (SF) built in the 1970s (with an addition in 1984) with a new structure of 19,300+ SF total on an approximately 12,700 SF building footprint. The site for the project is adjacent to Rhode Island Airport. The site constraints include Federal Aviation Administration limitations on building height and massing and RI Department of Environmental Management wetlands restrictions regarding the building location and footprint.
Strategies and Results
Concern for the environment, sustainability and the impact of conventional construction practices guided many aspects of project development. Resource conservation techniques included reduced consumption of potable water, energy and non-renewable materials.
Water conservation measures include the use of a rainwater recovery system that directs rainwater from the roof surfaces into a 15,000-gallon underground cistern. The stored water is treated and circulated throughout the building in a non-potable water distribution system that supplies the interior hose bibs, the exterior wall hydrants and flush toilets. Low-flow fixtures and dual-flush toilets further reduce water use in the building. Native and adapted species used for the landscape and vegetated roof require no ongoing irrigation.
The design of the building’s mechanical system sought to reconcile the need for conditioned, 100% fresh air (no recirculation) and high air-change levels (between 10 and 16 changes per hour) for all animal rooms with a desire to conserve energy. Mechanical rooms are dispersed throughout the building close to the spaces they serve to reduce energy loss through long duct runs. Energy recovery on all the 100% exhaust units captures some of the energy that otherwise would be discharged from the building. The large, public spaces in the building (meeting room, behavior and training room, dog play spaces) all have operable windows tied to the mechanical air distribution system, so that when the windows are opened mechanical air circulation ceases. When the windows close, mechanical air circulation resumes. To ensure a high level of indoor air quality, the system also monitors CO2 levels and automatically shuts the windows and re-engages the mechanical system if passive ventilation proves insufficient to keep the CO2 levels from rising.
High-efficiency lighting fixtures and low ambient illumination levels, coupled with focused task lighting, also help reduce energy use. The building incorporates large areas of glazing and a narrow footprint to allow daylight to penetrate deep into the building interiors. Building massing and orientation help control excessive heat gain from the exterior glazing.
About Potter League for Animals
The Potter League for Animals is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of animals. We promote the humane treatment of all animals and provide shelter and care for lost or unwanted companion animals. Through community education and the fostering of relationships between people and animals, we enhance the animals’ future and enrich the human experience.