Enviro-Stewards of Elmira, Ontario just completed a 2,500 square foot renovation to double their office space on the third floor of a 100-year old furniture factory. Having outgrown their existing space, the environmental consulting firm found opportunity for expansion into the adjacent space. President Bruce Taylor set out to preserve as many historical features as possible, including an exposed brick wall and structural steel beams; he also repurposed the 100-year old windows into interior office walls. Energy efficient windows and a bank of standing desks bring the space into the 21st century.
In terms of providing improved air quality and energy conservation, Enviro-Stewards installed a Nedlaw Living Wall Biofilter. During renovations, the team integrated the biofilter into the new HVAC system to provide clean air directly to the offices. The 5' x 6' biofilter not only provides virtual outside air to the space, it will also reduce energy costs by reducing fresh air intake requirements. A rain barrel will collect rooftop rainwater and serve to feed the hydroponic wall.
Plus, the living wall is a great visual focal point and symbol of this firm's mission.
Regardless of their size, all Nedlaw Living Wall Biofilters perform at the same level in terms of removing pollutants from the air. According to Dr. Alan Darlington, a small biofilter is equally effective in removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor air; watch him present research on Nedlaw Living Wall performance in the field:
http://www.nedlawlivingwalls.com/wp-content/uploads/Air-Quality-Impact-Research-Findings.mp4
Founded in 2000, Enviro-Stewards is an engineering company and Certified B Corporation working internationally to help clients conserve resources and address environmental liabilities.
ABOUT NEDLAW LIVING WALL BIOFILTERS
INFORMATION VIDEOS
Installation Options and Requirements
http://www.nedlawlivingwalls.com/wp-content/uploads/Installation-Options-and-Requirements.mp4
Energy Benefits of a Living Wall Biofilter
Related Stories
Codes | Jul 10, 2023
Water Demand Calculator outperforms traditional plumbing codes for energy, carbon, and water savings
Using IAPMO’s Water Demand Calculator tool can result in energy, carbon, and water savings as compared to using traditional plumbing specification methods in plumbing codes, according to a study by Arup.
Contractors | Jun 30, 2023
Construction industry task force aims for standardized carbon reporting
A newly formed Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) task force on decarbonization and carbon reporting will address the challenges around reporting and reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry.
Apartments | Jun 27, 2023
Dallas high-rise multifamily tower is first in state to receive WELL Gold certification
HALL Arts Residences, 28-story luxury residential high-rise in the Dallas Arts District, recently became the first high-rise multifamily tower in Texas to receive WELL Gold Certification, a designation issued by the International WELL Building Institute. The HKS-designed condominium tower was designed with numerous wellness details.
Green | Jun 26, 2023
Federal government will spend $30 million on novel green building technologies
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will invest $30 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to increase the sustainability of federal buildings by testing novel technologies. The vehicle for that effort, the Green Proving Ground (GPG) program, will invest in American-made technologies to help increase federal electric vehicle supply equipment, protect air quality, reduce climate pollution, and enhance building performance.
Industrial Facilities | Jun 20, 2023
A new study presses for measuring embodied carbon in industrial buildings
The embodied carbon (EC) intensity in core and shell industrial buildings in the U.S. averages 23.0 kilograms per sf, according to a recent analysis of 26 whole building life-cycle assessments. That means a 300,000-sf warehouse would emit 6,890 megatons of carbon over its lifespan, or the equivalent of the carbon emitted by 1,530 gas-powered cars driven for one year. Those sobering estimates come from a new benchmark study, “Embodied Carbon U.S. Industrial Real Estate.”
Mechanical Systems | Jun 16, 2023
Cogeneration: An efficient, reliable, sustainable alternative to traditional power generation
Cogeneration is more efficient than traditional power generation, reduces carbon emissions, has high returns on the initial investment, improves reliability, and offers a platform for additional renewable resources and energy storage for a facility. But what is cogeneration? And is it suitable for all facilities?
Multifamily Housing | Jun 15, 2023
Alliance of Pittsburgh building owners slashes carbon emissions by 45%
The Pittsburgh 2030 District, an alliance of property owners in the Pittsburgh area, says that it has reduced carbon emissions by 44.8% below baseline. Begun in 2012 under the guidance of the Green Building Alliance (GBA), the Pittsburgh 2030 District encompasses more than 86 million sf of space within 556 buildings.
Resiliency | Jun 14, 2023
HUD offers $4.8 billion in funding for green and resilient building retrofit projects
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released guidelines for its Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) that has $4.8 billion for funding green projects.
Steel Buildings | May 19, 2023
New manufacturing processes can make steel construction a greener option and add U.S. jobs
“Green steel” that is manufactured using hydrogen generated with renewable energy makes its use as a building material more feasible for environmentally conscious designers and clients. Sustainable manufacturing processes, which are economically viable in the U.S., could also revive steelmaking in the country as the metal becomes more attractive for green building.
Office Buildings | May 15, 2023
Sixteen-story office tower will use 40% less energy than an average NYC office building
This month marks the completion of a new 16-story office tower that is being promoted as New York City’s most sustainable office structure. That boast is backed by an innovative HVAC system that features geothermal wells, dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) units, radiant heating and cooling, and a sophisticated control system to ensure that the elements work optimally together.