Green to the Core

"We are green to the core.  BRIT lives our commitment to long-term sustainability - beginning with our building." - cover of BRIT brochure

The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) has just opened its new facility in Fort Worth next to the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens and in a word - WOW!  They are seeking platinum level LEED certification, "the highest level of green" and have done an impressive job of creating a beautiful facility that meets their needs while accomplishing this goal of sustainability.  Their dedication to preserving our natural world is complimented by their commitment to educating the public on how they can contribute to this global initiative.

Richard Smart, Head of Public Programs at BRIT, gave us an after-hours tour of their new campus.  His enthusiasm was contagious and the pride he felt in being part of this project was evident throughout the presentation.  Here is a quick (and incomplete) look at the sustainable qualities of this new facility:


Entrance and vegetative roof

 Water: Water conservation and use is a core element of BRIT's sustainable mindset.  From its two 5,000 gallon cisterns to store runoff water to pervious walkways, BRIT has looked for ways to minimize runoff and create opportunities for rain water to soak back into the earth.  They have incorporated bioswales into their landscaping and installed low to no water usage fixtures in their bathrooms.  One of the greatest water conservation qualities is the vegetative roof, made up of native plants and offering a research laboratory as well as helping to cool the building and reduce run-off.   The hope is that the irrigation will be operated exclusively using run-off and bioswale water and that the green roof in essence erases the footprint of their education building. 

Energy:  BRIT has looked for ways to both reduce their energy use as well as harness renewable energy.  The use of natural light, light harvesting sensors, and motion detectors minimize the use of light in the building.  They have also built a geothermal system that should reduce their heating and cooling energy use by over 50%.  Solar tubes on the roof of the archive building collect solar energy from 360 degrees, maximizing the sun's energy for use on the campus.



sinker cypress wall



Sustainable Material:  BRIT's commitment to sustainable building extends to the materials they selected - looking for recycled, reclaimed, or sustainably farmed materials whenever possible.  The result is a beautiful blend of natural products such as sinker cypress, bamboo ceilings, and wool carpet combined with rubber-based floors made from recycled tennis shoes and tires.  BRIT also used over 20% recycled materials such as steel and ceiling tiles made from recycled sheetrock and recycled over 90% of the materials from the existing building, substantially reducing their contribution to area landfills.

Extra Touches:  One of the things that make this building so special is that BRIT looked for ways to go beyond.  The outdoor theater/meeting place is built using area rocks stacked in geologic order, creating a wonderful learning opportunity on the history of Fort Worth soil.   Wires on the sides of their archive building will help vines grow into a vertical garden and aide in the cooling of the building and provide a visible reminder of the importance of blending with environment.  The learning opportunities in the form of exhibits and classrooms include the treehouse room that showcases a 100+ year oak tree they saved during construction.  BRIT has also created wonderful literature not only sharing when they did to be sustainable, but challenging visitors to seek answers to the question "What can I do?"

The new BRIT campus is amazing and it will come as no surprise that it was also very expensive.  At $45 million for 70,000 square feet it represents a standard out of reach of most individuals and organizations.  The encouraging thing is that this project was financed by people who believe in sustainability and the work of BRIT.  While many donations were substantial, there were no doubt many people who contributed $10 or $25 to this initiative as a way to be part of something significant. . . and beautiful.

Sealing the Envelope

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One of the areas of consideration when "going green" is evaluating and improving the building envelope.  These are the parts of the building that separate the interior space from the exterior.  This shell includes the foundation, exterior walls, windows, roof, exterior doors, and floors.  When you think about energy efficiency, this just makes sense.  When it is cold outside, we want to be warm.  When it is hot, we seek the cool interior.  Any transfer between the inside and the outside results in greater energy use for us to be comfortable. 

The two main action areas of closing the envelope are sealing and insulating - the main goal being to separate the inside and outside air.  If you are going for a specific certification, you need to be sure to solve these issue up to their code, but to seal a building you can use materials as simple as caulk and as advanced at OwenCornings new Energy Complete sealant. 

The roof and windows are two important considerations.  The options for roofs range from green roofs, which can be as simple (see left) or complex (see below) as you choose, to the installation of solar panels - a great way to create your own energy.  Green roofs also help prevent the heat island effect in urban areas - an extra plus!  Windows also have insulation and coating that helps let light into the building while reducing heat/cold exchange.  These low-e windows are increasingly common in all types of construction and are even part of many building codes.

Doors and the efficiency of the HVAC system  play a huge role in helping to seal the building envelope and keep the occupants comfortable and healthy.  One interesting consideration when sealing a building is managing CO2 content.  Again, there simple and complex solutions.  Opening the windows and allowing for a cross breeze refreshes the inside air.  There are also CO2 sensors that work with the HVAC system to take in outside air when a specified level of CO2 is detected.

When considering "going green" it is important to realize that there are many steps, considerations, and options - sealing the envelope is just one.  Determining your goals at the onset can help you focus your attention and resources in a way to achieve maximum results and help take another step toward sustainability.