Veridian takes Inititive for a Sustainable Welcome Center
February 24, 2011
EDGEWATER, NJ - Communities across the nation are responding to the message of a "Green" economy by recognizing educational opportunities while encouraging innovation and job creation. In New Jersey, the 2010 Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence is a prime example. Awards were shared with students, educators and business leaders who have done their collective "homework" to meet or exceed goals similar to our New Jersey Energy Master Plan.
The road to achievement begins with dedication, commitment and research by private, "risk-taking" entrepreneurs. Secondly, government support provides quality of life improvements, to the population it serves, in the form of quantifiable science. Lastly, public-private partnerships are formed to encourage economic opportunities.
The cooperation between government agencies, the private sector and places of higher education has compelled our United States Secretary for Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Shaun Donovan to comment, "There has never been this scale of federal investment in supporting sophisticated planning..." when discussing the collaboration between the DOT and EPA and the Partnership for Sustainable Communities.
It is time to forge additional partnerships with those best qualified to bridge the dream of clean energy use, reduction of fossil fuels and carbon emission with tangible demonstrations of Building Science in an educational and welcoming venue.
Veridian Consultants, LLC, in a joint-venture with Architectura, Inc., intends to discover opportunities in the creation of Sustainable Welcome Centers. The following concept will provide the residents of Bergen County with a showcase of achievement as we educate and demonstrate "GREEN" in our GARDEN State .
I will describe the experience as if we were taking a physical tour and, hopefully, we will share the actual experience with students, educators, residents and county stakeholders in the near future.
The backdrop to our Sustainable Welcome Center (SWC), reflects the active life of the commuting population and also the passive and serene setting of the Overpeck Park and Preserve. Nestled against the slight elevation of a rolling lawn is an attractive entrance known as The Pervious Path - a walkway made of a pervious surfaces allowing natural filtration of rainwater and melting snow. We have just passed an outdoor sitting area and floral garden, receiving its liquid nourishment by a slow feeding process and rainwater from the roof-top garden. The wind turbines (Horizontal and Vertical) are visible and the combination photo-voltaics are providing heat for hot water, LED lighting and electricity.
Step outdoors to the patio overlooking the 4-Season Urban Farm which will convey agricultural lessons, while providing low-cost organic foods to the schools, neighborhood restaurants and residents.
The building itself is constructed of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC), to provide lightweight, insulated, soundproof, fire / heat retardant with a complete wall structure. The "block" can be nailed, screwed into and does not require "build-out" or additional framing, finishes, etc.
The Hall of History is a virtual tour with world leaders in Environmental Engineering, Architecture and related disciplines. Also included in the "Hall" are the visual descriptions of New Jersey Schools who regularly host competitions culminating in our Building Science auditorium for annual awards.
In regard to Building Science and materials:
Metal/Glass curtain wall EFCO 5600,
Glazing Solarban PPG.
Doors - Agrifiber.
Roof - TPO Membrane.
Woodwork - Particleboard Uniboard.
Paints and Stains - No VOC.
Rainwater Management Systems.
Water source heat Pumps.
Energy / Air Recovery units.
At the Water Conservation area we can watch the collection, filtration and irrigation of,
The GARDEN State. The inner workings of all mechanicals are seen by the visitors.
The "Demonstration Area" next to a pool of filtered water from the Rooftop Garden, is interactive.
The solar animated screen counts the units of kwhs saved, used and credited by the utility company.
The wind turbines and pervious surface filtration systems are also counting the gallons saved, recycled and clean energy produced.
The Bridge to the Future is an actual bridge to examples of shared sciences, highlighting the progress that has shaped the alternative energy movement, with an emphasis on global policy and international agencies. Geo-thermal, Air and Heat recovery systems are examined here.
The What If area explores the experimental stages of alternative energies and storage. The nano- science of battery cell development, hydrogen, bio fuels, including soy based plastic alternatives and "waste to energy" options from household garbage, switchgrass and cellulose to chicken feathers.
Films on The ELEMENTS, The SEEDS and related continuing educational presentations will be available for sale to maintain the building operations with reasonable entrance/rental fees to offset the cost of construction and on-going expenses.
Please find time to meet and discover the opportunity in our county's future.
Sustainably Yours,
Ernest R. Liberatore
Managing Member
Veridian Consultants, LLC
201 886-1400 / 201 792-3814
info@VeridianConsultants.com