Case Study: Claire's on Cedros - Solana Beach, CA

Image: Claire's on Cedros - The Solana Beach, California located restaurant is currently on target for LEED Platinum.
Copyright: JLC Architecture


By Jill Bellenger, CPH | ASLA

JLC Architecture is enjoying their new home in Solana Beach, California. The firm, formerly located in nearby downtown San Diego, recently moved into the site of one of their newest and greenest commercial projects. The Claire's on Cedros property at 246 N. Cedros includes 2,500 square feet of restaurant space, 810 square feet of residential use and the 674 square feet retail/office space where Jean-Louis Coquereau and Tyler Van Stright of JLC Architecture now occupy. We recently interviewed the architects about the unique circumstances surrounding the Claire's project, including their decision to become its neighbor.

The town of Solana Beach is in many ways a model for sustainable practices, with a commuter and regional rail station located just across the street from the Claire's site, and adjacent walking paths all the way to the beach. Jean-Louis told us of the town's plan to create a "green" Chamber of Commerce, to include all its eco-friendly businesses. So it's no doubt a viable spot to design a cutting-edge green restaurant, complete with its own edible garden on site, where chefs routinely step out for fresh ingredients to add in their daily creations.

From the beginning, JLC Architecture's client had green features in mind, but the original plan did not include a LEED certification, let alone what is scheduled to be the first freestanding restaurant in the US to have the LEED Platinum designation. It is registered under the LEED-CS and LEED-CI categories and the firm hopes to have a USGBC ruling by early January 2010.

"We wish every client we work with would have the same vision," Jean-Louis says. He further explains that there is a bit of "tunnel-vision" involved when clients only consider the first-time costs of energy efficient building and site design. But with guidance from the project team, which in Claire's case included the locally-based LEED Consulting firm Drew George & Partners, they soon become committed to the long-term goals of conservation and human well-being. Jean-Louis feels that LEED Consultants have a unique role of "holding the hand of the architect" to keep all LEED elements in check.

While the original construction cost for Claire's on Cedros was about 6-8% higher than traditional construction, many of the more pricey components quickly provide energy savings. The total of fifty-four solar panels line the carport may be a high-ticket item, but they immediately cover 40% of the restaurant's power load. High reflective roofing brings in another huge energy savings overhead, while pervious concrete covers the parking lot, walkways, and patio space for no additional cost. Another creative green feature of the complex is the recycling of fryer grease, which cuts down on waste while crediting the restaurant.

Jean-Louis hopes that beginning with this month's first college tour by the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), more groups will see the Claire's project as a teaching tool. There so much to learn here, as well as being an excellent combination of sustainable architecture and horticulture. When asked whether they have any plans to continue the trend of moving onto their newest project site, he says no, "We like it here very much."

For more information, see www.clairesoncedros.com or www.jlcarchitecture.com

Send suggestions of case study projects to Jill Bellenger at: jbellenger@3designconsulting.com

Renewable Energy Connecting LEED with International Climate Policy

Above: Offshore wind farm off the coast of Denmark.
Copyright: http://green.venturebeat.com


By Ed LeBard, Associate AIA | LEED AP

With the upcoming United Nations sponsored Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, several countries are lining up with memorandums of understanding in developing policy designed to lower dependence on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.

The best way to reduce reliance on fossil fuels is to harness renewable energy either on-site or off-site via green power. Renewable energy is one of the major principles of the US Green Building Council's LEED program as well as the Architecture 2030 Challenge adopted by thousands of firms in the A/E industry.

In the United States, for instance, there is enough geothermal energy to provide the nation's energy needs 2,000 times over; as a result, there are at least 132 geothermal power plants currently being developed in 12 states. With the addition of these new plants, the nation's geothermal capacity would triple. Also, the United States has more than 12 solar power plants currently under development.*

The state of Texas is providing an alternative to its oil and gas production by leading the nation in generating wind-powered electricity. As of now, Texas has about 9,000 megawatts of wind-powered capacity online with more than 40,000 megawatts under way. The roughly 50,000 megawatts total of wind provided energy will be enough to power approximately a quarter million to half million homes annually (between 1,000 and 5,000 megawatts powers 10,000 homes per year).* This will result in Texas leading the world in producing wind-power electricity when completed.

Iceland receives 78 percent of its primary energy from renewable resources, with 62 percent coming from geothermal.27 percent of Iceland's electricity are provided from geothermal power plants, powering up to 90 percent of the country's homes. The country has been leading the world on geothermal power for energy use since 1755.**

Germany is the world leader in solar photovoltaic panel installations with 5,300 megawatts - enough to power roughly 15,000 to 50,000 homes annually depending on the average home user.* The country also has a 15 year advantage in solar panel technology over other countries due to its rigid requirements of natural gas and oil use. For instance, the German government imposes a renewable energy tax on oil, thus raising the cost per gallon to $8. This results in Germans driving less as well as adding renewable energy investments for the country to funnel out - such as increasing the number of solar panel installations, and developing wind power generators.

Relating to the U.S. Green Building Council, renewable energy is one of the leading principles of the various LEEDv3 ratings. For instance, wind power, solar, hydro power, and geothermal, biomass, and biogas energy can all be provided via either a 3rd party facility supplying green power or by on-site provided power. In LEEDv3 New Construction, renewable energy contributes to Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit 2-On-Site Renewable Energy as well as EA Credit 6 - Green Power. Both credits intend to encourage use of on-site renewable energy to supply a portion of the building's overall energy load.

EA Credit 2- On-Site Renewable Energy provides up to 7 points (New Construction & Schools) towards LEED. One percent of overall building energy that's provided by renewable energy tallies 1 point while 13 percent of overall building energy provided by renewable energy would result in 7 points. Building commissioning is required to measure and verify the performances of the renewable energy sources.

The objective of EA Credit 6 - Green Power is to include at least a 2-year renewable energy contract to provide up to 35% of the building's electricity from renewable sources. The contract must be based on the quantity of energy used, not cost. In a state with an open electricity market, building owners can pick a Green-e certified power provider. The power provider must be certified and licensed to provide green power in the state. In a closed electricity market, the government controlled utility company must have a Green-e certified program.

Lastly, the renewable energy race has powerful economical implications as well. Using on-site renewable energy technologies can result in cost savings. Rebates in utilities are available to lower the impact of first costs for equipment. The initial costs of installing and providing renewable energy on-site can be offset by life-cycle savings. In some cases, excessive energy provided by renewable sources can be sold back to the utility facility, thus providing profits to the homeowner or landlord. Also there are government-provided incentives for using renewable energy - like tax breaks for purchasing solar photovoltaic panels. Also to encourage development of on-site renewable energy systems, renewable energy certificates (RECs) are available.

By reducing funds needed for fossil fuel power and maintenance, the United States' government and private agencies can divert cash flow to other infrastructure needs such as upgrading the aging power grid, providing net-zero electric car lots powered by solar PV carport canopies, and funding renewable energy research. There is a ripple effect as return on investments on renewable energy would lessen the United States' dependence on foreign resources like oil, thus the dollars would stay in the US. When a nation re-invests in itself through renewable energy and green infrastructure, the return on investment will lead to a booming green economy and at the same time, lower our carbon emission.

Citations

*Washington Post, 11/22/09 (Earth Policy Institute)

**http://www.energy.rochester.edu/is/reyk/index.htm

Sustainability in the News

Copyright: http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-6078-ashrae-targets-bim/


1) States Adopt BIM for Energy, Cost Savings
http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2009/10/30/States-Adopt-BIM-for-Energy-Cost-Savings/


2) Brownfield Developer Jim Jacoby Is Aglow Over Alternative Energy Business
http://nreionline.com/brokernews/greenbuildingnews/news/brownfield_developer_jim_jacoby_1013/


3) Green Broker 2010 Conference (Seattle, WA)
http://www.cascadiagbc.org/green-broker/09

Green Tip of the Month

Wonder how a business in the heart of the bustling D.C. neighborhood of Georgetown can be powered entirely by wind? Or how your company can harness solar power without a single PVC panel on your roof?

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or Carbon Offsets can be purchased for any home or business, allowing them the energy savings they want without requiring on-site systems that may not be otherwise available or feasible. They can even be purchased to combat the electricity used by those clicking through your company's website, which facilitate a computer's carbon emissions.

http://www.epa.gov/grnpower/gpmarket/rec.htm
http://www.carbonfund.org/


- Jill Bellenger, ASLA | CPH

Are We There Yet? Landscape Architecture and LEED

Image: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, Texas
Photo copyright: Jill Bellenger, 3 Design Consulting LLC


By Jill Bellenger, CPH | Associate ASLA


LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, can still be a bit of an enigma. Depending on who you're talking to, landscape architects are either considered an integral part of a project's LEED certification process, or a superfluous afterthought. And ironically, these views seem to come from some of the landscape architects themselves, as they ponder their implications in such a building-based program.

Just browsing through the LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC) credit template, it certainly does appear to be heavily weighted towards a building's interior systems. Kansas City landscape architect Brian Hochstein says, "I feel that our impact more often than not is much lower" than say for instance architects or engineers. But a closer look reveals the real impact and may help increase understanding of this 'green by nature' profession.

Under the new LEED-NC v3, landscape architects are the primary or secondary responsible party for the majority of the credits in the Sustainable Sites and Water Efficiency categories:

- Site Development (SSc5.1 & 5.2) for 2pts
- Stormwater Design Quantity and Quality (SSc6.1 & 6.2) for 2pts
- Heat Island Effect Roof and Non-Roof (SSc7.1 & 7.2) for 2pts
- Light pollution reduction (SSc8) for 1pt
- Innovative wastewater technologies (WEc2) for 2pts
- Water Efficient Landscaping (WEc1.1 & 1.2) for 4pts

As well as a major contributing party towards these critical areas when relating to site issues:

- Sustainable Sites prerequisite
- Site selection (SSc1)for 1pt
- Development density and community connectivity (SSc2) for 5pts
- Brownfield redevelopment (SSc3) for 1pt
- Alternative Transportation - Public Transport. Access (SSc4.1) for 6pts
- Alternative Transportation - Bicycle Storage (SSc4.2) for 1pt
- Alternative Transportation - Parking Capacity (SSc4.4) for 2pts
- Construction Waste Management (MRc2) for 2pts
- Materials Reuse (MRc3) for 2pts
- Recycled Content (MRc4) for 2pts
- Regional Materials (MRc5) for 2pts
- Rapidly Renewable Materials (MRc6) for 1pt
- Certified Wood (MRc7)for 1pt

Not including the innovation and design process category or the varying regional credits for each state (a total of 10 additional points), a landscape architect has a hand in attaining up to 39 of these 90 LEED-NC points, or over 40%.

Bringing it all Together

To further emphasize the importance of site design, the American Society of Landscape Architects teamed up with the Texas-based Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in 2005 to introduce a new comprehensive program based on sustainable land development and management principles. Called the Sustainable Sites Initiative, or SSI, the program is meant to be implemented whether there is a building on site or not, such is the case for parks and ecological restorations.

April Phillips, founder and principal of April Phillips Design Works based in Sausalito, CA, was instrumental in forming the SSI. She states that, "the SSI will be one of the first rating systems to consider human health and well being outside of a building. Its landscape aim is to design more regenerative sites and systems that ultimately could be net zero or better.

"[The Sustainable Sites Initiative] represents thousands of hours with input from 37 technical advisors in hydrology, vegetation, soils, materials and human health and well being. These credits were tailored to apply to any landscape...as a stand-alone system, but is also being designed to fit into the future LEED bookshelf system."

Another big development coming from the US Green Building Council is the first LEED rating system to focus on the certification of entire neighborhoods, rather than one building at a time. LEED for Neighborhood Development, or LEED-ND, is currently monitoring nearly 240 neighborhoods through the pilot program, 43 of which have become certified as of October 26th, 2009.

Much like the LEED for Commercial Interiors, or LEED-CI, rating system is heavily reliant on involvement from interior designers, the LEED-ND system brings landscape designers and planners into the forefront. With credit categories such as Smart Location & Linkage, and Green Construction & Technology, this system aims to improve the way we design our communities, making them more sustainable for the future.

On October 16, 2009, members of the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) approved the current version of the LEED-ND rating system. Now it must also be approved by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the USGBC before it can be issued for official use.­­


For more information: www.sustainablesites.org , www.asla.org , and www.usgbc.org/leed/nd/

Green Power & Green Building Design meet in VA

Above: A Waste Management landfill gas-to-electrical energy well in Ohio.
Copyright: Waste Management and Roadell Hickman/The Plain Dealer

By Ed LeBard, Associate AIA | LEED AP

With the completion of a new landfill gas-to-energy plant in Glenns, Virginia*, Waste Management is leading the recycling and green energy industry, not to mention amping up the efficiency of its facilities. If it acheives LEED certification, the Glenns, Virginia plant will be the first LEED facility for Waste Management.

According to a WM press release, they operate the largest network of landfills in the industry with 300 sites and directing the disposal of millions of tons of waste per year. The company also provides natural, renewable energy source such as methane gas to supply energy to 400,000 homes and removing 2 million tons of coal from the atmosphere per year.**

The old saying "One man's trash is another man's treasure" rings true in the landfill gas-to-energy arena. With the vast supply of methane, which is created naturally through the decomposition of waste in landfills, green power is becoming easier to attain. In the same category of green energy as wind and solar power, Methane can be used as a British Thermal Unit (BTU) gas for industrial use or sold through a third party gas-to-energy plants to fuel engine or turbine driven generators of electricity.**

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved of landfill methane gas as an environmentally-friendly option to replace the nation's fossil-fuel use (i.e. coal). The EPA has the Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) ***with clear objectives to protect the environment by promoting the recovery and use of landfill methane gas .The LMOP program encourages development of a renewable energy power plant like the recently opened Glenns, Virgina plant.


I had the privilege to interview Douglass L. Whitehead, Waste Management's Director of Operations in Virginia and a 13-year industry veteran:

EL: Can you give us a little history on Waste Management's landfill gas-to-energy program and how many such facilities are up and running throughout the country?

DW: There are over 100 such facilities around the country, including 4 operating in Virginia and 1 under construction. The landfill gas-to-energy program was developed in the late 1980's with research development taking place. Construction for the plants took place in the mid-1990's with tax credits first as an incentive. Then around 2004, Waste Management took off on their own without the tax incentives and by 2009, we have doubled the number of gas-to-energy plants around the country due to the rising price of electricity.

EL: The EPA supports the landfill gas-to-energy movement; where do you think Waste Management's future lie in the recycling and green power arena?

DW:
1--We are number one in the industry in terms of processing and packaging recycling plants. We pioneered "single-stream" recycling where we divide recyclables at a central plant with little waste, rather than attempt to sort materials at the curbside.

2--Waste Management is also leading the field in the number of gas-to-energy plants. We are currently number one in waste-to-energy plants. Waste-to-energy is a result of placing garbage in a combustion pit, where it is burned, and the resulting steam is used for both steam heating and to create electricity, 60 megawatts. The waste-to-energy plant in Baltimore, Maryland produces enough recycled green power to provide electricity for 30,000 homes per year.

3--The new landfill gas-to-energy plant in Glenns, Virginia takes in regular garbage which decomposes over 6 months into primarily methane and carbon dioxide gases. We then extract out the methane gases to be provided to our customers. We have blowers and flares that suck out the methane gas through a large pipe and by law, its required to have a vacuum in the well.

To reiterate, Waste Management currently have 110+ gas-to-energy plants and 16 waste-to-energy plants. The gas-to-energy plants burn methane and provide on average 6 to 12 megawatts and average around $10 million per plant. The waste-to-energy plants burn roughly 2,400 tons of garbage (municipal solid waste)per day and provide 60 megawatts. However there have been no new plants since the early 1990's. These plants are quite expensive at $500 million roughly each. They are far cleaner than coal or oil. Waste Management plan to build 2 more plants in the next 5 years and both projects would aim for LEED-NC certification.

Since we took on the green energy initiative back in the late 1980's, we have been leading the industry in all these categories.

EL: It's noted that Waste Management also sell excess green power from methane gas to other third-party industries to supply homes and commercial buildings; is this something that would further impact any company's bottom line and profitability over time?

DW: We ship methane gas to third party customers, for instance, we sell landfill generated gas to a BMW manufacturing facility. The BMW facility uses the gas to provide power to the turbines and bake the finishing paint on the assembled cars. It's difficult to achieve a project of that magnitude as it demands intense energy use nearby. The pipeline to the BMW plant was 9.5 miles, just about the outer limit for LFG (landfill-gas) pipelines.

* http://www.gazettejournal.net/articles.php?artid=3315

** http://www.wm.com/ and http://www.thinkgreen.com/

*** http://www.epa.gov/landfill/index.htm

Sustainability in the News

1) Florida solar panel plant:
http://www.fpl.com/environment/solar/desoto.shtml


2) Los Angeles to build sustainable NFL stadium
http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/13685/


3) Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment and the University of Maryland School of Nursing present: A National Conference for Health Care Professionals

http://nursing.umaryland.edu/events/environmental/november/index.htm

Friday, November 6, 2009
7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
University of Maryland School of Nursing

Join regional and national health care professionals, environmental industry experts, and educators for this learning and networking event whose purpose is to create a healthier and more sustainable environment for hospital staff, patients, and communities. Topics will include purchasing environmentally preferable materials, taking action to reduce the impact of climate change, developing and implementing an integrated waste management program, and purchasing and promoting sustainable foods


4) Go Green Expo, Minneapolis, Minnesota (November 6 - 8, 2009)

http://www.gogreenexpo.com/events/index.php?evid=11


Business-to-Business Expo
Friday, November 6th · 10am - 5pm
Business-to-Business & Business-to-Consumer Expo
Saturday, November 7th · 10am - 6pm
Sunday, November 8th · 10am - 5pm

Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403
(612) 335-6000
www.minneapolisconventioncenter.com