Long Island general contractor E.W. Howell has completed the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) at Stony Brook University. This project received the Green Project of the Year from NY Construction magazine's Best of 2010 award competition. An independent jury of industry experts judged nearly 180 nominated projects and deemed 31 of them as award winners. The jury awarded projects based on entry criteria including project management and client service, safety, design and functionality.
Designed by Flad Architects, the AERTC project included new construction of a two-story 43,000 s/f lab building devoted to research on alternative fuels and energy conservation. The building will be the most energy efficient building in the state, and only one of 26 in the nation to get the top platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
"While many buildings nowadays are being built to receive LEED certifications, very few are built for LEED platinum,' said E.W. Howell's project executive Bob Timperio.
Building Features / LEED Elements
Achieving a platinum rating means the building has achieved maximum energy efficiency in five distinct categories: sustainable site, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, material & resources and indoor environmental quality. To accomplish this, landscaping that requires no irrigation was used, as well as a system for collecting rain water on the roof which will be used for flushing toilets. During construction, over 20% of recycled building materials were used, and at least 75% of construction waste was diverted to recycling sites. Perhaps one of the most interesting features of the center are the solar panels on the façade of the building that help to harvest the energy from the sun to use for the building's daily functions. These solar shading systems offer designers the opportunity for distinctive architectural impact, while reducing solar heat gains. All of these features are projected to have energy cost savings of 25%.
AERTC Benefits
Occupants of the new AERTC will develop clean and economical energy strategies through research, technical applications, and professional and public outreach. They will research and promote every area of alternative energy, including solar, wind, hydrogen fuel cells, geothermal, biomass and nano-technology. As a result, the $35 million energy center will work to make alternative energy available to everyone and establish Long Island as a leader in the growing alternative energy sector. Tags: