NEW YORK UPSTATE

USGBC NEW YORK UPSTATE CHAPTER’s

EMERGING GREEN BUILDERS COMMITTEE 2009 USGBC NATURAL TALENT COMPETITION

The Warehouse

1

OVERVIEW

The USGBC Natural Talent 2009 Design Competition provides an applied learning experience in the principles of integrated design, sustainability, innovation, and social consciousness, all of which are components of the LEED® Green Building Rating System™. Participants will compete in local competitions, and the top winner of each will move on to compete as a national finalist at Greenbuild Phoenix in November 2009. The Competition Host will provide the local awards as well as travel support and registration to Greenbuild (http://www.greenbuildexpo.org), USGBC’s Annual Green Building Conference and Expo, where finalists’ entries will be displayed and where final judging will occur.

COMPETITION OBJECTIVES

• Utilize LEED® as a guideline for building design and performance.

• Broaden environmental education in the building professions within the university system.

• To empower students and young professionals within the green building movement to become future leaders.

• Highlight the efforts, and initiative of students and emerging leaders in the green building movement.

• Encourage the reduction of the dependence on fossil fuels within the building industry.

• Connect students with esteemed individuals from the USGBC and green building industries.

• Promote exemplary designs of future designers by displaying them at Greenbuild.

• Recognize and award students and young professionals for their dedication, creativity, innovation, and commitment to sustainable design.

.

ELIGIBILITY The Competition is open to all university level students (of any discipline and level) and individuals within five (5) years of graduation.

• Teams and individuals wishing to participate in the competition will qualify to enter the nearest competition site to their residence. This will depend largely on the chapters participating.

• Both individuals and teams are permitted to enter.

• Multi-disciplinary and international teams are strongly encouraged.

• Teams are to be no larger than five individuals.

• Only one entry per team/person will be accepted.

2

• We encourage teams to secure a faculty member or industry professional to fill an advisory role. The Competition Committee will not recommend advisors but encourage participants to seek them out themselves. Please check the USGBC Web site for a list of LEED Accredited Professionals in your area, or contact your local USGBC chapter for help identifying an advisor.

• International entries will be accepted at both the local and national levels. However, it is up to the international team to secure their own translation of the applicable program, as well as additional support for translation clarification. It will not be the responsibility of the local or national host committee to translate.

REGISTRATION 1. Teams are required to complete an online registration form by visiting the USGBC national

Web site at www.usgbc.org/egb; only one form per team. All information must be complete to be considered a valid entry. A confirmation email will be sent from National within seven (7) business days of receiving the registration, and will contain information on how to proceed. Registration is mandatory to receive additional instruction and information on project submittals.

2. Teams are required to identify a primary contact. This person will receive important information from the local competition committee and is responsible for final submission. The team contact will be responsible for all communication between the design team and the Competition Committee. Additionally, the team contact should disseminate all information from the Competition Committee to their entire team.

3. Each team/individual may only enter one local competition. This competition should be the competition geographically closest to your current location.

PROJECT CONTEXT & LOCATION The .86 acre building site is located on the corner of West Street and Erie Boulevard in Syracuse, New York, containing a series of five buildings. The first three buildings, starting at the corner of Plum Street and Erie Boulevard are: a three story, 15,000 SF building; a two story, 8,800 SF building; and a two story, 9,000 SF building. The second two buildings are warehouse towers. The specs are as follows: one 7 story warehouse, plus a full basement, each floor being approximately 6,000 SF; and one 7 story warehouse, plus a full basement, each floor being approximately 8,300 SF. The roofs of the warehouses are poured concrete, and each floor is load bearing, making the warehouse buildings structurally sound. They have been assessed to ensure their structural integrity. This row of five contiguous buildings will be utilized as mixed-use office space, training classrooms and workshop space, retail space, and small green business incubation by a cooperative of socio-ecologically minded for and non-profit entities.

3

THE CONCEPT The members/tenants are:

1) The Alchemical Nursery Project: a non-profit organization committed to promoting the development of sustainable urban lifestyles and landscapes. In the Community Exchange, the ANP will coordinate an urban CSA (community supported agriculture) processing and distribution center, as well as food preservation and processing programs, and a kombucha brewery.

2) Deconstruction Syracuse: a collaborative effort between The Alchemical Nursery

Project, Onondaga Community College, and Syracuse Habitat for Humanity, the deconstruction operations will provide jobs training in the warehouse, and transportation to and from the job sites for the deconstruction crews. All saleable materials gleaned from job sites will be sold in the ReStore.

3) Onondaga Community College: as an exciting new offshoot in technical training

programs, OCC is pioneering the fledgling deconstruction industry. OCC will run the training programming for the deconstruction crews in the Community Exchange a strategically located off-site location in downtown Syracuse.

4) Recycling for Empowerment E-waste for E-ducation: an organization that will use

electronic waste in training local high-schoolers interested in pursuing a career in information technology. Recovered electronic components can be used to rebuild computers for resale or donation. E3 will operate the jobs training and youth mentorship end of the e-waste programming.

5) Northeast Surplus & Materials: a company working with e-waste for the purposes

of innovation, recycling, and reuse, utilizing de-manufacturing and recycling processes to minimize, reduce and finally eliminate the environmental impact caused by the disposal of electronic equipment. Northeast Surplus & Materials will operate the innovation end of the e-waste recycling programming.

6) Ombligo: a company that refurbishes laptops and computers using e-waste for

resale at low prices. Ombligo will operate the resale end of the e-waste programming.

7) Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Habitat for Humanity of Syracuse already has a

location for their ReStore, but they are quickly outgrowing their space. Their local deconstruction crew guts houses in the area, taking all saleable components such as cabinetry, tiling, sinks and tubs, appliances, lighting, and architectural features to the ReStore for resale to the general public. The ReStore also receives donations of materials from various companies, usually in large quantities. There is need for additional storage space and a more visible storefront space.

4

8) Reuse Refuse For Art (R2ART): an artist’s resource reclamation project where industrial cast-offs and other materials are stored for the future use of teachers, artists, organizations, and others.

The Community Exchange will operate as a cooperative of a number of non-profit and for-profit enterprises, all dedicated to reuse, recycling, green jobs creation and small business incubation. This centrally and strategically located series of buildings will serve as a major driver for a new green economy based on environmental stewardship and the integration of socially equitable practices. Members/tenants will meet with design teams to give more detailed information on their specific spaces at the local Emerging Green Builders Natural Talent Design Competition kick-off open house and walkthrough at the warehouse, January 30 and 31, 2009. See competition schedule for more details. ** If you have any questions for a specific organization, please contact Elizabeth Slate at alchemicalnursery@fastmail.fm, and she will be able to connect you with the appropriate contact. COMPETITION CHALLENGE

The Community Exchange Main Components and Anchor Operations

5

A: The Alchemical Nursery Project Urban CSA Program and Deconstruction Syracuse The first building on the corner of Plum Street and Erie Boulevard is three stories, and approximately 15,000 SF. First Floor: Urban CSA processing and distribution center. There will need to be a large commercial kitchen, preferably with multiple walk-in coolers and a walk-in freezer. Several large sinks in a row, and two stovetops, in addition to island counter space, will all be useful for rinsing and prepping in the sink, in addition to fulfilling needs for a community kitchen. Access to the elevator on the Plum Street side of the building will be needed. Second Floor: Classrooms for training for the deconstruction program. Elevator access. Third Floor: Office space and space for a kombucha brewery. Elevator access. Roof: Depending on the load-bearing capacity of the roof structure, we would like to have either greenhouses for food production, or a green roof system.

▲ B: Main entrance, lobby, breezeways between buildings, collective space. The second and third buildings are a two story, 8,800 SF building; and a two story, 9,000 SF building. These buildings will be utilized as mixed used space for all organizations that are involved in the ComEx cooperative. First Floor (second and third building): Grand entrance, lobby with secretary kiosk, lounge area and café, community reading nook. Second Floor (second building): The Grand Hall – large high ceilinged space with beautiful timbers, a presentation hall: the place for big events and occasions. Second Floor (third building): Community library and free store Roof: the roof is not flat here. Rainwater collection system would be ideal. ** It is important to note that the third building houses the large machinery required to run the coolant systems for the two warehouses when they were used for cold storage, and it is all still there. While this presents somewhat of a challenge in terms of removal, there is also potential to design the space around a piece or two that would remain in the space as an interesting historical feature.

6

C: E-Waste jobs training and recycling programs The fourth building is a 7-story warehouse, plus a full basement. Each floor is approximately 6,000 SF. First Floor: E-waste programs cooperative lounge space, community computer clusters and wi-fi café. Second – Seventh Floors: E-waste programming space for offices and classrooms, workshop spaces and shop space. Training classrooms: at least 36x36 feet, have 15-18 tables each with electrical and data outlets, at least 3 electrical outlets along the wall, two lighting zones (one for blackboard and one for the rest of the classroom), outlet with video and sound connections on the ceiling for the projector, speakers around the room for sound, vinyl tiling for floors, fluorescent lights in the ceiling Roof: The roofs of the warehouses are poured concrete, structurally sound and load-bearing. There will be greenhouses for food production.

▲ D: Syracuse Habitat for Humanity ReStore The fifth building is a 7-story warehouse, plus a full basement. Each floor is approximately 8,300 SF. First Floor: grand entrance and show room for resale materials. Include at least one higher overhead door, wider if possible. Design for easy access to loading docks with backroom for loading/unloading and to provide inventory staging space. Second and Third Floor: combine for one high-ceilinged floor: resale floor space for large items. Provide loading/unloading and inventory staging backroom space by freight elevator. Fourth and Fifth Floor: combine for one high-ceilinged floor: resale floor space for large items. Provide loading/unloading and inventory staging backroom space by freight elevator. Sixth Floor: additional floor space for resale materials. Provide loading/unloading and inventory staging backroom space by freight elevator Seventh Floor: office space Roof: The roofs of the warehouses are poured concrete, structurally sound and load-bearing. There will be greenhouses for food production.

7

Considerations for the entire site: Add a larger freight elevator (8’x10’min) to outside of building to be shared amongst tenants and most easily accessible to the ReStore. Convert existing freight elevator in second warehouse tower (D) to a passenger elevator. Maintain as many connections between the buildings as possible to encourage traffic between the various programs, and reinforce the cooperative nature of the Community Exchange. Consider parking for staff and customers, security features including overnight truck parking, and handicap accessibility. Integrate greywater systems, including rainwater catchment systems, and composting toilet system. (Look into Clivus Multritum). Also consider incorporation of living machine and biodigestors, additional composting systems on-site for food scraps. **** This building should incorporate the sustainable practices outlined by the LEED® Green Building Rating System™ for New Construction, and meet requirements for LEED Gold Certification.

8

ALTERNATIVE COMPETITION OPTION Design teams have the option to explore an alternative design challenge: Accessibility: Designs for the area directly surrounding the building, focusing on accessibility to the buildings by pedestrians and cyclists. One of the missions of this project is to have the facility well utilized by its community. While this building is very close to the Syracuse University Warehouse and the Connective Corridor (a 1.5 mile signature strip of cutting-edge cultural development connecting University Hill with downtown Syracuse and serviced by Centro Bus Services). While the buildings are easily reached by car and bus, how can we make this building more accessible to those who may be walking or biking? Considerations may include bike paths and pedestrian corridors, greenspace, and public transportation routes. Please follow the link provided below to explore the area surrounding the buildings: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Syracuse&state=NY&address=400+Erie+Blvd+W&zipcode=13204-2438&country=US&latitude=43.05043&longitude=-76.159049&geocode=ADDRESS

9

10

DESIGN GOALS

Evaluation criteria: • Integration of green design strategies and applicability to LEED® Green Building Rating

System™ criteria.

• Conceptual Design and Program fulfillment: how the project’s vision has met the requirements.

• Creativity in process, design and innovation.

• Engagement of environmental, economic, and social aspects of program and site.

• Overall energy reduction and its documentation.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Submission for Requirements

• At minimum, two 30x40 boards submitted must include:

o Site plan providing context (scale at the discretion of the entrant) o Building Section o Floor plan o Illustration of key elements of sustainable infrastructure and building systems o Wall section OR detail illustrating special environmental features o Do not include names or the name of your team on the board

• All entries must remain anonymous at all levels.

• Each entry must also provide a digital file of the image as a JPEG or TIFF format at 300dpi, full size.

• Failure to follow the submission requirements could result in disqualification. This will be left up to the judges’ discretion.

• A one-page written design analysis in PDF form to provide the judges with further insight into the submissions.

• All entries need to be submitted in English.

Other important notes:

LEED® is a design guideline only. It is understood that this will not portray an accurate LEED® score.

No LEED® credit interpretation rulings will be provided.

Designs do not need to be engineered for construction. You should be mindful of conventional design practices, although no other codes other than ADA need to be explicitly met (i.e. local building code, IBC or UBC, fire code, etc.).

Deadline for submissions is July 15th, 2009. No submissions will be accepted after this date and time.

11

FINALISTS Finalists at the local level will be given additional time to develop and detail their designs. Finalists may be required to provide two 30”x40” presentation boards for final presentation at Greenbuild in Phoenix. The finalists may be given specific LEED® credits to consider, including material samples and details. An electronic copy of the two boards for entry will be due to the USGBC October 2, 2009. These electronic copies should be PDF files formatted to fit on an 11x17 sheet. Entrants are responsible for ensuring both boards are physically present at the Greenbuild Conference and Expo in Phoenix for display and final judging. This will be coordinated with the USGBC toward the end of September. Finalists are strongly encouraged to attend Greenbuild but are not required. As earlier stated, final presentations can be further developed and modified from the original project submission, although not redesigned. There must be a clear relation to the original submission. The Competition Officials at both levels reserve the right to disqualify any entry perceived to be redesigned. JUDGING There will be two phases of judging in the 2009 competition. The first will take place at the local level on or before July 31, 2009, which is a date to be set by the local host organization. Judging at the national level will take place at Greenbuild in Phoenix, AZ, by an esteemed panel of green building experts. . AWARDS The local jury will award a first, second and third place, as well as two Honorable Mention Awards. Winning teams will receive the following awards provided by your local competition host:

o 1st Place: $1,000 o 2nd Place: $500 o 3rd Place: $250 o 4th and 5th: Honorable mentions

NOTE: The local host chapter will provide first place winners with registration to Greenbuild in Phoenix at either the student or full conference rate depending on the age of the finalist. National awards are as follows:

o 1st Place: $5,000 o 2nd Place: $2,000 o 3rd Place: Honorable Mention

12

DISCLAIMER USGBC reserves the right to refuse any entry. USGBC is not liable for lost or misdirected, late or substantially incomplete entries, as well as any entries containing text/images that identify the designer to jurors. The decisions and opinions of the jurors represent their professional viewpoints, not the opinion of USGBC. All prizes will be awarded at the discretion of USGBC and all decisions are final. All drawings, photographs, photocopies and other physical materials submitted to the competition become the property of the USGBC and will not be returned. It should be emphasized that this competition is purely conceptual, and the selection of finalists or prize-winners in no way indicates intent of the property owners to implement the proposed schemes. Upon registering for this competition, all competitors agree to waive any and all claims against the USGBC as a result of the competition. Also, by registering, the entrants transfer unlimited use for publication, exhibition and electronic posting of all entries to USGBC. All images must either be created by the team or sufficiently cited. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Fill out and return the Image Use Form found on the USGBC website www.usgbc.org\egb prior to submitting for your local competition. This competition, headed by USGBC, has no intention to award or grant any building contracts for the designs submitted in this competition. COMPETITION SCHEDULE

• December 31, 2008: Registration goes live on USGBC website - www.usgbc.org/egb

• May 21, 2009: Registration deadline

• January 30 & 31, 2009: Open House and Site Visit

o Contact Elizabeth Slate at alchemicalnursery@fastmail.fm for more details

• July 15, 2009: Deadline for submissions

• August 25, 2009: Awards ceremony and social*

• October 1, 2009: National deadline for those chosen to compete at Greenbuild 2009. * Date subject to change. CONTACT INFORMATION For additional information and questions visit the FAQ page at http://www.usgbc.org/egb Contact designcompetition@usgbc.org with any questions not answered on the above site. Local contact: Elizabeth Slate, alchemicalnursery@fastmail.fm

13

14

RESOURCES http://www.greenupstateny.org/index.html http://www.syracuse.ny.us/ http://connectivecorridor.syr.edu/