Some of you were present for the kick-off charrette hosted by the Preservation Resource Center during Historic Green's 2009 March event. We discussed an idea that was already a year and a half in the making. The concept of blending sustainable design with the complete reconstruction of an historic building in an historic district is new and developing field in architecture. Partnerships had formed over the year since HG participated in the deconstruction of what was left of 5200 Dauphine. Those partnerships led to the decision that a reconstructed, sustainable and historically appropriate facility would be constructed to serve as the new home of the Center for Sustainable Engagement and the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association.
RENDERING: Ryan Schmidt, UTSA
Since our first charrette in March a design team composed of preservationists, community leaders, architects, contractors and engineers have been working to design the first LEED Platinum project that has the support of the USGBC, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Prince of Wales Foundation and numerous other groups.
The design will incorporate salvaged materials from the deconstructed structure as well as materials from salvaged from throughout the area and beyond. The building will be heated and cooled by a high efficiency Variable Refirgerant Volume system which has been minimized in scale due to the high performance envelope being developed to serve the building.
Construction is slated to begin this winter with completion anticipated for this spring.
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