February 4, 2005 Minutes
Members present: Herb Snyder, Linda Coates, Pat Zavoral, Charles Pace, Mike Sebille, Helen Levitt
Others present: representatives from Dakota Resource Council, North Dakota State University Architecture Department faculty and students, and public
Members absent: John Cosgriff
Minutes
No minutes were approved at this time.
Discussion
The Dakota Resource Council was established in 1978. The South Agassiz Resource Council is now forming in the Fargo area. Terry Schaunaman from Dakota Resource Council spoke with Kim Christianson from the State of North Dakota Department of Commerce Energy Office, who was very interested in an energy efficient sustainable design for the Fargo Public Library project. State and federal technical assistance may be provided and there is a possibility of some funding for the project.
North Dakota State University Architecture professor, Darryl Booker presented information pertaining to sustainable design. The US Green Building Council has compiled a common language for designers and end users to discuss green or environmentally responsible design. Green design includes sustainable site planning, water safeguarding, energy efficiency, conservation of materials, and indoor environmental quality. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, was created to define Green as a standard and transform the marketplace. LEED covers many different types of buildings including new construction, existing buildings, commercial interiors, core and shell projects, and homes. Through a rating system, a project may earn points to denote the project as certified, silver, gold or platinum level certification.
North Dakota State University Architecture students Jenn Burke, Caleb Berge, Jason Picka, and Kati Evans presented two library case studies. The Seattle Central Library, completed in 2004, rated silver level from LEED. The existing site was re-used, along public bus routes, the project incorporated bike racks and underground parking. The lighting was automated to allow less light pollution. Water run off was collected in a holding tank to be used to irrigate landscaping. Triple glazed glass with aluminum mesh was used to reduce glare from the southern exposure, while still allowing for views. Indoor air quality was addressed by using carpet that emits low amounts of airborne contaminants.
Hillsdale Library in Portland, Oregon, also completed in 2004, was rated at the gold level from LEED. This project also was close to bus routes and included bike racks. The underground parking eliminated a large paved area and allowed for 50% of the site to be native or adaptive vegetation with little maintenance. 90% of the deconstruction material was recycled. Also incorporated into the project were low-flow toilets, double paned glass, sensor systems to control temperature, under-floor air distribution system with air intake from floor level, and natural daylight.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be Friday, February 11, 2005 at 8:30am in the Commission Chambers with representatives from architectural firms. The meeting was adjourned.