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NYC and EPA Launch Third New York City Green Building Competition

Release Date: 04/10/2008
Contact Information: Jennifer May (212) 637-3658, may.jennifer@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) Today, New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and EPA Regional Administrator Alan J. Steinberg announced the opening of the third New York City Green Building Competition. This national competition seeks projects and ideas that promote the New York City as the pre-eminent cultural and sustainable urban epicenter. Design projects are encouraged that integrate whole-building principles, employ the tenets of green building construction and end-of-life considerations, anticipate post-occupancy concerns, and complement the community in which they reside.

“Green building is now in the mainstream here with visionary and innovative construction projects gaining a full head of steam all over the city,” Regional Administrator Steinberg said. “This competition helps create more visible examples of building green in the mosaic of everyday city life.”

“Promoting energy efficiency and environmentally friendly design in both old and new buildings is critical to our future, and the core of PlaNYC, our long-term plan for a sustainable New York" said Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York "I am happy to announce once again that New York City will be holding a green building contest to highlight those who to create a greener future for New York through smart and innovative design.”

To find out how to enter the New York City Green Building Competition visit: http://www.nyc.gov/html/planyc2030/html/news/competition.shtml . Project submissions are due by Friday, May 30, 2008.

Previous Green Building Competition Winners
In its second year, the competition recognized the following five winners for excellence in the use of good design principles and the integration of innovative green building technologies:

New Sunrise Yard (submitted by: Gruzen Samton LLP Architects, Planners, Interior Designers) This project, situated on 46,300 square feet, will be the base of operations for the facilities maintenance group of the NYC Department of Transportation and is part of the NYC Department of Design and Construction’s sustainable design pilot program. Using an integrated, consensus driven process, the project achieves a 65% energy savings over the technical baseline through measures such as use of high performance glass, clerestory roof system, a high efficiency lighting system, radiant floor heating, demand based ventilation, and use of high efficiency boilers. Demolition waste will be reused and water efficiency will be achieved through native landscaping and maximizing pervious services. Runoff is contained on the site and construction vehicles will use ultra low-sulfur diesel fuel.

Stillwell Avenue terminal train shed (submitted by: Kiss + Cathcart, Architects) Coney Island’s Stillwell Avenue terminal is the largest installation of its kind in the U.S., and the first of its kind in New York City. The 76,000 square foot glass and steel terminal is constructed using an innovative, panelized system of semi-transparent photovoltaic modules. The modules enclose the space and generate approximately 250,000 kilowatt hours per year of renewable energy. The train shed is a catalyst for the revitalization of Coney Island.

Bronx Zoo Lion House conversion (submitted by: Wildlife Conservation Society and FXFOWLE Architects) The Bronx Zoo Lion House conversion integrates a historic building with contemporary design and green technologies. The adaptive-reuse project will house a new exhibit hall, multi-purpose space and animal holding areas. The Lion House will be the first NYC landmark rated as gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is part of the NYC Department of Design and Construction’s sustainable design pilot program. Innovative design elements, like the skylights, which cover 8,500 square feet, allow for maximum natural light for the exhibit plants with minimum heat gain, allowing for a total 57% savings in energy costs over code.

Common Ground Community Pitt Street residence (submitted by: Kiss + Cathcart, Architects) This 12 story, new construction housing project will set new benchmarks for sustainable social housing in America. Materials will be chosen based on their environmental impact and materials will be salvaged from the existing building. Energy savings will be achieved through features such as a high quality thermal envelope and day lighting to a photovoltaic array, and occupancy controls. Water saving fixtures will be used throughout and a green roof will be installed using native plants.

The Helena (submitted by: The Durst Organization) This newly constructed 38 story apartment building has set an exemplary standard for high-rise residential high performance buildings. Energy use is reduced by 65% with high efficiency water source heat pumps, microturbines, energy star appliances, and occupancy sensors. A blackwater filtration plant treats 76% of building’s wastewater on-site. The design incorporated 80% recycled content in the structure, aluminum in the window wall system, and recycled blast furnace slag in the concrete.

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