Archive for February 2011
Solar Panels/LEED Certification – as it relates to sustainability/LEED
With crude oil prices wavering wildly in a jittery market, the trickle-down effect is that Americans are suddenly nervous wrecks about everything energy-related. Both oil and coal-based electrical energy is falling out of favor in many circles. The “drill baby, drill” people are quickly trying to pass legislation that would tap into domestic resources for home-grown oil, while environmentalists are madly pointing people to alternative sources of energy. One such discussion centers on the use of solar panels for home energy. Solar panels, which are made of arrays of photovoltaic cells, use the renewable energy from the sun to provide a clean and environmentally sound means of collecting solar energy.
In recent months, chains including Wal-Mart Stores, Kohl’s, Safeway and Whole Foods Market have installed solar panels on roofs of their stores to generate electricity on a large scale. Over the long run, assuming Congress renews a favorable tax provision and more states offer incentives, the chains promise a solar construction program that would ultimately put panels atop almost every big store in the country. The trend is accelerating as the chains seize a chance to bolster their environmental credentials by cutting back on their use of electricity from coal.
The costs for solar energy are still under debate, however, coal generation costs about 6 cents for a kilowatt hour, which is enough electricity to run a hair dryer for an hour. Natural gas generation costs about 9 cents a kilowatt hour, said Reese Tisdale, a senior analyst with the consulting firm Emerging Energy Research. In comparison, “best case” for power from solar panels is about 25 to 30 cents a kilowatt hour, he said. But retailers believe that they can achieve economies of scale. With coal and electricity prices rising, they are also betting that solar power will become more competitive, especially if new policies addressing global warming limit the emissions from coal plants. “Solar has become part of the kit that we think about when we open a store,” said Sharon Im-Lee, REI’s energy manager.
In the spirit of keeping solar power competitive, incentive and rebate programs will need to continue in order to demonstrate the value of the technology and their applications. As production techniques improve and more distribution points are established the cost of the systems will continue to decrease. Coupled with increasing energy costs, the systems will become competitive and sustainable. Saemisch & Di Bella Architects continue to research and learn emerging technologies with the goal of promoting a
whole-building approach to sustainable design by recognizing performance in water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
Light Rail to Mesa
As you may have heard, the Light Rail that has connected downtown Tempe to downtown Phoenix will now be extended into Mesa. Much of the funding for the project has been apportioned by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), with the design phase having begun in September 2010 and completion estimated for 2016.
As details of the project continue to emerge, citizens both for and against the project have voiced strong opinions. The “anti-rail” people voice concern about taxpayers who may have to pick up too much of the cost of the project. Many would prefer that the funds be applied elsewhere, especially when cuts to other governmentally-funded organizations like Medicaid and Medicare have been so dire in recent months.
On the other hand, businesses appear generally excited about the Light Rail. Because it connects to Sky Harbor International Airport, they reason, it will help tourists get around more easily, and it will attract business conventions to the area. According to a recent METRA survey, rail riders have significantly higher incomes than bus-riders ($76K vs. $14K) and thus bring far greater revenue –and class, according to some–into an area.
With the Light Rail coming to Mesa, businesses hope there will be opportunity for renewed investment and development in the downtown area, which is ideally suited for mixed-use type of projects (i.e., a combination of retail, office and residential). This is a trend modeled elsewhere in the valley and other metro areas throughout the country.
Obviously there will be growing pains during the construction process–including the added messiness to an already congested downtown area, but the end result, some say, will far overshadow the irritations. The hope is that the area will realize higher property values, a more dynamic downtown and therefore higher visibility for businesses, and increased development opportunities.
On that note, we at Saemisch & Di Bella are intrigued by the Light Rail opportunity and hope to lend our rich portfolio of experience to all who may be interested in this or any other type of urban architectural project.
Positive News for Arizona
With the tragedy of Tucson on so many people’s minds, one of the main topics of debate has been about mental illness. Mental illness takes many forms just as physical illnesses do. However, mental illness is still feared and misunderstood; and unfortunately, there is a stigma attached to it. We might ask, “Isn’t there anything being done to change this stereotype of those with mental illness and of the facilities that serve those with mental illness?”
Fortunately the answer is yes, and you might be surprised to learn that the innovative ideas about the care of those with mental illness come from an architecture firm and their non-profit partners. Working in collaboration with each other, we combine our knowledge of health and wellness with design expertise and both of our visions for a new and innovative facility that would serve both those in need of medical help-including mental health issues- plus providing support for a variety of family needs.
Examples of these projects include the following:
• Mountain Health and Wellness is a 30,000 square feet headquarters which is a medical clinic, a mental health provider, and a pharmacy.
• Partners in Recovery have 15,000 square feet which is an adaptive reuse of an existing CVS facility. Now it is a state provider of mental health services and a psychiatric hospital.
• Recovery Innovations is a 17,000 building remodel and addition. It is a state provider of mental health services and a psychiatric hospital.
• The Village at Oasis Park includes two 14-unit residential buildings for a total of 28 residences. These will house developmentally and physically-challenged individuals. The next phase is for 1 or 2 residential buildings for low income seniors. Each building will house 20 people. Finally, the last phase will be a 5th building that will be a community services building to support the residents. This project was developed by the Marc Center of Mesa.
• Child Crisis Center shelter and Family Resource Center is a remodel of an existing shelter and a new 21,000 square feet family resource center.
These non-profit projects are just one phase of what we do, but they say a great deal about our firm and its philosophy. It is important to us that our endeavors have both a meaningful aesthetic design, but it is also important that our projects make a social impact on communities throughout Arizona. Perhaps the above facilities will make a difference for Arizona as residents realize there are answers for them in dealing with mental health issues, other medical needs, and family support resources. The stereotype has been broken, and a new vision has been put in place.