PHILADELPHIA-The
Philadelphia Housing Authority, already a leader in building Energy
Star affordable housing, is taking its commitment to energy
efficiency and a clean environment to a new level, building its
first totally "green building" in North Philadelphia.
Nellie Reynolds Gardens, now under
construction, will be much more efficient in the use of energy,
water, and materials, while reducing impacts on human health and
the environment.
The new senior development, to be located
at 25th and Glenwood, will have a 20,000 square foot "green roof"
with natural vegetation three inches deep. The million-dollar roof
will have between five and ten species of Sedum plants (rock garden
plants) as cover.
PHA will also install Energy Star
appliances and fixtures at Nellie Reynolds Garden, use recycled or
"Green Label" carpet and environmentally friendly paints, primers,
and caulking to help preserve air quality in the three-story
building, which will have 64 units and cover over 85,000 square
feet.
Besides saving energy and preserving the
environment, PHA's commitment to a totally "green building" helped
speed its application for a building permit and will also help the
agency in obtaining financing for the $23.4 million
development.
PHA Executive Director Carl Greene says
rising utility costs and a healthy environment have prompted the
agency to make this extraordinary commitment.
"We know that every dollar we save on
energy costs is a dollar we can invest in housing and
neighborhoods. Saving money on energy is more important than ever,
especially when federal funding for public housing has been cut
severely. And a "green building" such as this one protects the
health of our residents, as well as the surrounding
neighborhood."
The Roofrug ® Green Roof at Nellie
Reynolds Gardens will provide substantial cooling in the summer and
moderate the cold temperatures in winter. Charlie Miller, president
of Roofscapes, Inc., the company that will install the roof,
estimates that energy savings from the roof alone will run from 10
to 20 percent. This "thin grain roof" is specifically designed for
buildings no more than three stories high with at least 10,000
square feet of roof. It is designed to insure long-term durability
with minimal maintenance.
The vegetation will also keep 300,000
gallons of rainwater from running off into the city's sewer system.
Miller says this will reduce pollution and the strain on the
system, by soaking up rain that falls on the roof. He says the
plants extend the service life of the roof, reduce landfill waste,
and ultimately improve the value of the property.
Miller also says that the quality of any
water running off the roof (during rainfall of more than two
inches) would be higher because the plants will have filtered
it.
The plants used for the "green roof" rely
solely on natural rainfall. They have fleshy leaves and will flower
at different times. Their foliage will vary in color.
Ted Dillon, home energy analyst for the
Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA), says PHA will save on energy
costs while reducing emissions 13 to 14 percent. He says those
numbers are significant.
A "green roof" also offers PHA the
opportunity of receiving LEED (Leadership in Energy &
Environmental Design) green building certification, signifying that
the agency is an ecologically responsible community partner, adding
to the prestige of the building.
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The Roofrug ® Green Roof at Nellie Reynolds Gardens will provide
substantial cooling in the summer and moderate the cold
temperatures in winter.
(© Roofscapes, Inc. Used by permission; all rights reserved.) |
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Site preparation work has begun for PHA's first "totally green
building" is under way at 25th & Glenwood in North
Philadelphia, the future site of Nellie Reynolds Gardens.
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