The design of this renovation was based on the idea that a project could be both historically appropriate and highly sustainable at the same time. The original structure, a small depression-era cottage, was sited in a historic high density residential area of Newport, Rhode Island. The existing house at 485 Spring Street had all of the issues typical of a 75yr old house;  sagging floors, choppy layout, barely usable second floor, drafty windows, little or no insulation and failing foundation, to name just a few. Besides, for nearly eighty years the original building had stared blankly into a high stone wall. To address the house’s shortcomings, the renovation design offered a layout more suitable to today’s lifestyle in a house that’s appropriate in style, size and scale for the densely populated in-town neighborhood.

Following the renovation, by adding a gable, dormers and a small amount of height to the existing footprint, the new building looks into the beautiful sunken gardens of the Elms Mansion. The renovated home now stands tall and proud among its Victorian-era neighbors, all the more so because it is a quiet exemplar of energy efficiency and sustainability.

Strategies and Results

The location became the first of the project’s many sustainable features. The house is within walking distance to everything the city has to offer and what a family needs, including groceries, green space, schools, churches, shopping, and restaurants. It takes advantage of its previously developed site and existent infrastructure, and provides access to open space while minimizing disturbances.

For exterior landscaping, at least half of plants are drought resistant. All exterior surfaces are permeable either with vegetation or paving materials to allow runoff infiltration into the ground.

The building has a small efficient laid out plan to reduce material consumption during construction and energy during the house’s ongoing operation. Interior flooring and decking materials were chosen to be both regional and/or certified in accordance with the Forced Stewarship Council (FSC) principles.

A small addition was added using Insulated Concrete Forms for the foundation. This improved the R-value tremendously over just concrete.  Besides,high quality closed cell insulation was used in the walls and roof.

High density spray foam insulation, EnergyStar products (including appliances, windows and lighting) and an extremely efficient HVAC system will contribute to minimize energy consumption; while low-flow fixtures will reduce water use.

About The Homeowners

The owners, a young couple familiar with Newport, wanted to build an income property that might eventually become a part-time vacation home or full time second residence. Therefore, they wanted to be cost efficient in the design and construction and yet still had the long term vision that the project be well built, durable, energy efficient and overall sustainable.

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Forty 1° North is located in the historic downtown Newport, Rhode Island, with direct views of the harbor. The hotel, which has been in full operation since 2011, can accomodate up to 54 guests in its 24 hotel rooms and suites. In addition to guest room facilities, the project also encompasses a state-of-the-art marina, two restaurants, a bar and wine tasting room on the ground level, which are open to both guests and non-guests.

Strategies and Results

Some of the project’s sustainable design features are:
- Site located close to community services and a residential district.
- Access to alternative transportation, such as bus stops, bike racks and preferred parking spots for low-emitting or fuel efficient vehicles.
- Heat island effect reduced through the use of roofing materials that meet SRI requirements.
- No permanent irrigation system installed, landscaping incorporates native and low maintenance plants.
- Potable water use reduced by 40.6%, compared to a baseline design, through the installation of dual flush and low-flow water closets, lavatories, and showers.
- Energy cost savings of 16.4% using ASHRAE 90.1 – 2004 Appendix G methodology.
- Energy efficiency measures include an improved thermal envelope, high efficiency glazing, reduced exterior lighting power, air cooled chiller, improved efficiency boiler, and a four-pipe fan coil unit system.
- Exemplary performance achieved due to purchase of green power equal to 70.1% of the predicted annual electrical consumption over 2-year period.
- 114.16 tons (75%) of on-site generated construction waste diverted from landfill.
- Recycled content of 12% of the total building materials.
- An ongoing comprehensive recycling program for metal and glass, food and beverage containers, plastics 1-7, mixed paper and cardboard, batteries, compact fluorescent bulbs, ballasts, and cooking oil.
- Use of low-emitting materials such as sealants, paints and coatings, carpet systems.
- Lighting consumption reduced by 50% using LED and CFL lightbulbs.
- Thermal and lighting controls provided for individual workstations and shared multi-occupant spaces.
- Views and daylighting for all regularly occupied spaces including guest rooms, offices, and shared spaces.
- Large operable windows and sliding doors take advantage of natural ventilation reducing the need for air conditioning in warm weather.
- A green housekeeping program developed and implemented.

About 41° North Hotel

Marrying a cool and casual luxury with the excitement of its urban waterfront setting, Forty 1° North  offers the best of Newport to all its guests – including a sense of eco-consciousness beginning with its brand new LEED-certified hotel accommodations. Spacious Guestrooms, Suites, Cottages, and Lofts are all outfitted with state-of-the-art technology and environmentally-friendly amenities, adhering to the hotel philosophy of responsible consumption and design.

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58 King Phillip Drive is a new home built on speculation, which began construction in October 2010, was completed and sold in April 2011. It was priced at $239,900, almost $65,000 below the town’s median house price ($304,505 in 2010). The house achieved LEED Platinum certification under the U.S. Green Building Council LEED for Homes rating system, the National Association of Home Builders National Green Building standard, the U.S Department of Energy Builders Challenge program, and the EnergyStar program. This will be the second house so certified in New England and the second LEED Platinum home in Rhode Island.

Strategies and Results

The shell of the house is constructed entirely out of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF), creating an 11 inch exterior wall, with 6 inches of reinforced concrete sandwiched between 2.5 inches of styrofoam on either side, creating an extraordinarily strong and energy efficient building envelope.

According to estimates, the 2.1 kW photovoltaic system installed on the roof will generate approximately $400 per year in electricity. This will offset almost the entire cost to heat and cool the house.

The house is heated and cooled with mini-split heat pumps. For ventilation, air is exchanged through a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV), which changes the interior air with fresh outside air, while maintaining the desired indoor temperature.

Water is heated through a tank-less, on demand hot water system. Water fixtures installed EPA Water Sense (very high-efficiency) to reduce consumption.

The septic system includes an environmentally friendly denitrification sand filter.

Interior materials were sourced from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo and cork. Finishes, such as paints and adhesives, have no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), thus creating a healthy indoor environment.

The house was built as infill in a previously developed site that counted with existing infrastructure, has access to open space, and is within 1/2 mile of 14 basic community resources.

Homeowners have agreed to share information about the actual energy costs of living in the home with the builder. By documenting the house’s energy performance can help prove to mortgage lenders that buyers can afford to spend more for a house when they spend less for energy.

About Caldwell & Johnson

Caldwell & Johnson, founded in 1968, has completed over 500 custom residential new construction and major remodeling projects in the state of Rhode Island. Caldwell & Johnson has a longstanding commitment to building energy-efficient homes. The company embraces the principles of the growing green building movement.

Textron Tower, also known as “40 Westminster”, is a 40-year-old 24-story Class A office building owned and operated by Textron. The top 12 floors are occupied by the company’s employees and executive officers. The lower floors are leased by third-party tenants. Over the past 15 years the management team proactively engaged in five-year program planning to address infrastructure, mechanical and energy efficient strategies as a goal of continuous improvement.

In early 2010, the team researched the LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance rating system when it became apparent that many capital improvements, energy efficient measures and Green initiatives implemented throughout the building to date could help achieving certification. With more upgrades and improvements performed in 2010, including a major chiller upgrade, the building achieved LEED EB as well as Energy Star certification in September 2010. The building became the first building in Providence, and only the third building in the state of Rhode Island, to achieve certification under the LEED EB O&M rating system.

Strategies and Results

Some energy efficient and sustainable measures included:

• Upgrade 2 chillers and installation of variable speed drives for energy conservation.
• Re-lamp with energy efficient lighting and LED approximately 50% of the building and continuing as spaces are renovated.
• Implementation of power management settings on PCs.
• Installation of occupancy sensors in conference rooms.
• Development of Green Cleaning Program and a chemical management plan.
• Implementation of building-wide recycle program which includes batteries & cardboard.
• Switch to multi-functional EnergyStar equipment.
• Reduce number of copiers and print double sided.
• Coffee timers on all coffee makers and eliminate the use of paper cups.
• Motion sensors to reduce water consumption.
• Sustainable purchasing program of durable goods.
• A company-funded bus pass program.
• Water management system for cooling towers.
• Reduce particulates in air distribution through Merv 13 filtration.

Textron continues to develop sustainability initiatives for its World Headquarters. These initiatives and improvements are aligned with the company’s commitment to reduce energy, greenhouse gases and waste by 20% by the year 2015.

About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems.

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The project is located on URI’s Narragansett Bay Campus. The 200 acre campus, which is home to the Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO), is set on a hillside overlooking the bay. The Pell Marine Science Library served as an intellectual center of the GSO since 1968. Despite its essential research role, the configuration of the building did not promote faculty-student interaction, due to a shortage of common areas and interdisciplinary gathering spaces critical to the success of the academic programs.

Renovations and additions to the existing building were considered, but half level floors made access difficult and reuse too restrictive for the many project goals, including taking advantage of the views. A new larger facility opened up opportunities to add new program elements. Built into the hill and serving as a campus arrival point, the new building houses administration offices, research spaces, exhibit areas, a cafeteria, two libraries, reading areas, meeting rooms, an outdoor function space, a computer lab, and a remote control center with an overlooking conference space and a broadcast facility.

Strategies and Results

Besides URI’s and the State of Rhode Island’s commitment to utilize sustainable practices in their new projects despite budget challenges, the GSO community envisioned a building that reflected their environmental sensitivity and set an example for preserving resources. The sustainable strategies implemented in the facility are:

Vegetated open space around the building was carefully considered. Runoff from the white high emissivity roof is sent to a groundwater recharge system. Native/adapted plant species are drought tolerant and keep with the rural coastal character. Priority parking for fuel efficient cars and car-pools, bicycle racks and shower facilities, and a nearby bus stop provide alternative transportation options.

Building placement was determined by its orientation to the campus entrance, to the quadrangle and the bay below. Exterior views to Narragansett Bay and surrounding landscape were maximized through ribbon windows and interior borrowed lights.

Low-flow fixtures, dual flush toilets and waterless urinals substantially reduce interior water use. High efficiency equipment and commissioning of systems optimize energy performance, while occupancy sensors along with a lighting control system reduce energy use. Improved indoor air quality was achieved through the use of low-emitting materials and furnishings, increased ventilation rates, and strict emissions control during construction. Foundation waterproofing, under drain and radon ventilation systems under the slab, and humidity resistant gypsum wall board at basement and exterior walls preserve the building’s longevity and prevent mold.

Construction waste was diverted as much as possible from landfill. Crushed concrete and masonry from demolition was re-used as site fill. Materials with recycled content and wood were purchased from sustainably managed sources.

About The University of Rhode Island

The University of Rhode Island is the state’s principal public research facility with its main campus in Kingston, R.I.  Three other campuses are located throughout the state, including Providence’s Feinstein Campus, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West Greenwich.  URI has 13,219 undergraduates and 3,098 graduate students.  It is a land grant, sea grant, and urban grant institution.

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Project Background

Tremco Incorporated has achieved LEED® Gold certification for its recently renovated corporate headquarters, a 40-year-old facility. Changes were so extensive that the certification is for new construction and not for renovation; officially, the building is LEED-NC. The building received 72 points from the USGBC, far surpassing the minimum number required for LEED Gold.

Strategies and Results

Many of the sustainable features included in the renovation that were responsible for LEED Gold points came from organizations that are part of RPM International Inc., Tremco’s parent company. These included:

• Four types of sustainable roofing systems from Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance: a vegetated roof; photovoltaic array; white, reflective built-up roof; and white reflective membrane.

• A Dryvit® Systems Outsulation Plus® MD exterior wall system that provided an energy efficient, insulated façade.

• Sealants, gaskets, and Proglaze® ETA (Engineered Transition Assembly) from Tremco Commercial Sealants & Waterproofing to ensure an airtight transition from walls to the new high-performance, double-pane, tinted windows.

• New sidewalks, with decorative concrete from Increte Systems, part of The Euclid Chemical Company.

• A wind turbine and, on the new carport, an additional photovoltaic array to help generate electricity; the carport is also meant to encourage the use of electric vehicles.

• A 15,000 gallon water capture and reuse system in the parking lot to reduce the amount of water entering the city’s sewers; captured water will be used to irrigate the building’s landscaping and vegetated roof.

• Numerous interior upgrades such as an ADA-compliant elevator and restrooms.

• Mechanical/electrical/plumbing upgrades including a high efficiency HVAC system and new plumbing fixtures that save potable water.

Throughout the entire renovation, Tremco sent nothing to a landfill. The company recycled, reused or burned for energy more than two million pounds of construction debris.

“We are extremely proud to have achieved LEED Gold status. We felt that to lead by example in the construction industry, it was our responsibility to convert our headquarters into a high performance, energy efficient building that required less water, embraced renewable energy sources and reduced operating costs substantially from prior levels. We accomplished all of this in an expedited construction process that took only about six months,” said Randy Korach, Tremco President.

“The renovation of our 46,000-square-foot headquarters, which was outdated, uncomfortable and wasted energy, set the foundation for our vision of Global Sustainable Growth. Achieving LEED Gold certification is not only an honor, but it is also a testament to our commitment to this vision, which focuses on the impact each business decision has on people, planet and prosperity,” added Korach.

About Tremco Inc.

Fidelity Investments developed a new, 4-story 570,000 sq.ft. office building and parking structure on its existing corporate campus in Smithfield, RI to consolidate its operations, yet accommodate two distinct companies within the headquarters facility. The building, at 900 Salem Street, also serves as a campus conference center for up to 600 people.

One company, an emerging global business, required a workplace that would provide a ‘best in class’ client experience using advanced technologies integrated into its client meeting center. The second company is a large internal service organization focused on marketing financial products and services. This workplace needed to be flexible to accommodate frequent organizational change.

Strategies and Results

In Fidelity’s LEED buildings, measures that conserve energy and improve the indoor environment are high priority. Eco-friendly features include:

• Reducing the building’s energy use by more than 20% with high-efficiency heating and cooling systems

• Over 500,000 sq. ft. of under-floor air delivery systems.

• Automated lighting systems with motion sensors.

• Creating a grass-planted roof that helps insulate the building.

• Using paints, adhesives and carpets that emit less volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to improve indoor air quality.

• Using environmentally friendly cleaning products.

• Installing a permanent system to monitor indoor air quality.

• Providing outdoor views to 90% of building occupants.

• Reducing indoor water use by 30%.

• Recycling 75% of construction waste and incorporating 10% recycled building materials.

• Using 10% locally manufactured materials, reducing the environmental impact of transportation.

• Collecting rainwater in a 400,000-gallon underground cistern for landscaping irrigation.

• Using native and drought-resistant plants to reduce irrigation needs.

• Preserving the site’s natural features, including mature trees close to the building.

• Enhancing the wildlife habitat by installing and monitoring bluebird nest boxes, a bat house, and planting native trees and shrubs.

• Educating fidelity’s associates about the environment and conservation. In 2006, the campus was certified by the Wildlife habitat Council for its wildlife habitat management.

• Providing a comprehensive recycling and composting program.

About Fidelity Investments

Fidelity is a prominent financial services company comprised of more than 40 diverse business units nationwide. From its roots as a small mutual fund company, Fidelity has grown to become a leading provider of a wide range of services, including investment management, retirement planning, brokerage, and human resources and benefits outsourcing services.

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Meeting Street, founded in 1946, set out to create a “Center for Excellence” that would symbolize their role as a national leader in child development, education and therapeutic services for students from birth to twenty one years. The building was designed to house all of its services. It is one of the first, fully inclusive schools in the nation for pre-K through 12th grade. The unique aspect of the model is the integration of children with and without disabilities attending a full service center that complements its educational programs.

Faced with a sloping site and a desire to avoid stairs, a series of terraced levels connected by ramps, were incorporated into the design to accommodate both ambulatory and non ambulatory students. Multiple levels created along the ramp are used to house offices and conference rooms.

Strategies and Results

Some of the project’s sustainable design features are:

• Dedicated open space greater than building footprint to reduce site disturbance

• Remediation of a previously contaminated site

• Alternative transportation strategies, such as close proximity to public transportation, bicycle storage and changing facilities, reduced parking capacity, and preferred spaces for car pooling

• Storm water strategies treat and reduce water runoff by 52%

• Shaded areas, light-colored paved and roofing surfaces, and a green roof reduce the heat island effect

• Existing structure and materials were demolished, separated on-site and recycled

• Concrete foundations and floors, crushed on site, were used as a structural base for the new building

• 94% of on-site generated construction waste was diverted from landfills

• 14% of total building materials have recycled content, 24% were locally manufactured and 80% were locally harvested

• 58% of the total wood based building materials were harvested from FSC certified forests

• Indoor environmental quality was improved through increased ventilation

• Implementation of an indoor air quality management plan during construction and prior to occupancy

• Adhesives, paints, and carpets have low VOC (volatile organic compound) content

• Finish products such as carpets, resilient flooring and ceiling tiles have high percentage recycled content

• Innovation credit awarded for efficiently designed HVAC system

About Meeting Street

Meeting Street is where infants, preschoolers and children of all ages and abilities receive individualized attention from highly trained, dedicated educators, therapists, and other professionals who work as a team, sharing strategies and identifying solutions to bring out the best in each and every child.
The word we hear parents use most often to describe us is, “caring” — caring that continues throughout the day and extends beyond our campus into neighborhoods and homes where we forge strong partnerships with families to help them best meet the challenges in their children’s lives.

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URI’s $54 million Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences is a state-of-the-art facility that advances scientific research and serves as a hub for education, research, and job creation in the life sciences. It houses modern teaching laboratories, high-tech facilities for DNA sequencing and analysis, faculty offices, a 100-seat classroom, and a two-story, 300-seat auditorium to meet the needs of URI’s growing environmental biotechnology, life and health sciences programs. A dramatic four-story atrium connects the research wing with the teaching wing, a rooftop patio, an open stairway that suggests the DNA double-helix, and interior spaces designed to encourage interaction among faculty and students.

Strategies and Results

The structure’s sustainable features include a ‘green’ roof that is partially covered in vegetation that serves to filter pollutants and reduce heating and cooling needs; a rain garden and storm water treatment feature with a sophisticated drainage and detention system; daylight harvesting technologies that brighten rooms and warm the floors; and an energy efficient heating and cooling system.

100% of the wood used in framing and interior finishes was certified by the forest Stewardship Council to have come from forests managed in a sustainable way. About a third of the materials used in the building were previously recycled and 79% of construction waste was recycled.

The research and teaching laboratory adopted strategies to maximize energy efficiency. Features include chilled beam technology, natural ventilation and conditioning for the main atrium. The laboratory environment requires exceptional indoor environmental quality, thus, low VOC emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, carpets,and other materials were used. Uri took steps to ensure occupant comfort with lighting controls for 97% of individual workstations and thermal controls for 56% of them. Besides, 92% of regular occupied spaces have direct access to exterior views.

Site grounds have no permanent irrigation system; landscape design strategies maximize open space and control the quantity and quality of stormwater through rainwater capture, filtration, and controlled discharge. transportation to the site is provided by 4 bus lines within a quarter mile of the site; bike racks and shower facilities provide alternative transportation options. Pathways have been paved with highly reflective materials and will be shaded within 5 years, hindering any heat island effects.

About the University of Rhode Island

The University of Rhode Island is the state’s principal public research facility with its main campus in Kingston, R.I. three other campuses are located throughout the state, including Providence’s Feinstein Campus, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West Greenwich. URI has 14,546 undergraduates and 4,549 graduate students. it is a land grant, sea grant, and urban grant institution.

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