SWANER ECO CENTER Walking Tour Park City

HEATHER BOOGERT, MARINA COATES, STEPH CRABTREE School of Architecture, University of Utah AND EMILIE WILLISON School of Architecture, University of Utah

Abstract. The Swaner EcoCenter lists as their official mission statement: To Preserve the land and the human connection to the natural landscape, to Educate the local and broader communities about the value of nature, and to Nurture both the ecosystem and the people connected with it. They have done well in carrying out the goals found in their mission statement. The building itself becomes the education tool, showing the public what can be done during the construction process to help protect the environment. This is all done within a stylish structure, which also serves to show those who tour the building that sustainable design can be synonymous with good design. The Center emphasizes four main areas of concern in sustainability energy conservation, resource conservation, water conservation and indoor air quality. The building addresses each of these issues in multiple ways throughout the structure. Those touring the building are made aware of these implementations by informative plaques places near each feature.

Keywords. Swaner EcoCenter: sustainability; preserve.

Park

City;

conservation;

1. Water Conservation For a city or region to have a proper carrying capacity of water, the quality and quantity must be suitable for use in the homes as well as the agricultural and industrial areas. One solution to protect the quantity of water in an area is the use of drought-tolerant plants and landscaping (Figure 1). The Swaner EcoCenter has chosen to use native plants in their landscaping. These drought-tolerant plants flourish in the climate and need no fertilizers, which helps with the quality of the water as well.

HEATHER BOOGERT, MARINA COATES, STEPH CRABTREE AND EMILIE WILLISON

Figure 1. Drought-resistant Landscaping

The roof of the Swaner building is part of a system that collects and stores water in an underground and above-ground cistern (Figure 2). Rain is collected in the roofs gutters and brought to the cisterns (Figure 3). A snowmelt system on the roof allows the snow to be collected as water and brought to the storage area too. The water that is collected is used for flushing toilets as well as irrigation.

Figure 2. Water Collection System

Figure 3. Above-Ground Cistern

The Swaner EcoCenter uses low-flow toilets in their restrooms. These toilets help conserve water by using only 29% of the water that a regular toilet would use. Some states, such as Georgia, allow rebates to their residents when they replace their old toilets with new low-flow toilets, as part of a plan to conserve water in their district. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a similar program has been initiated offering residents $150 for each high-flow toilet they replace. On their official city website they state, It is estimated that there are about 200,000 high flow toilets that have not been replaced in our service area. If each of those toilets were to be converted, over 1 billion gallons of water would be saved each year in our community. 2. Energy Conservation The rooftop at the Center has Photovoltaic panels that collect energy from the sun (Figure 4). This generates 11,250 kilowatts of electricity per year. At night when the building is not in use, the extra energy that has been collected and is not needed is returned into the grid for use by others. This is

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a system that works well for the utility companies as well as for PV owners. On hot sunny days when the most energy is collected by the PV panels, the power companies also have their highest demand.

Figure 4. Roof-Top Photovoltaic Panels

One of the steps that the Swaner EcoCenter has taken to reduce energy costs is to install radiant heat flooring. Water warmed from energy collected in the solar panels on the roof is combined with glycol and flows through pipes under the floor. The water temperature necessary for such a system is fairly low only 90 degrees Fahrenheit and therefore is very easily obtained through the solar collection system on the roof. It is estimated that the energy used by radiant heat flooring is between 20 40% less than the standard forced air system. Another way to dramatically reduce energy costs is to install high performance windows and Swaner has done this as well (Figure 5). The windows at the Center are insulated with argon gas, which is much more effective than windows insulated with only air. Large windows also let in more natural light so that less indoor lighting is needed during the day.

Figure 5. Large High Performance Windows

HEATHER BOOGERT, MARINA COATES, STEPH CRABTREE AND EMILIE WILLISON

At the Swaner EcoCenter the pier and walkways are made from light-colored reflective materials (Figure 6). This simple preventative measure controls the heat gain into the building by the use of the appropriate materials found on surfaces surrounding the structure.

Figure 6. Walkways

3. Resource Conservation The Swaner Eco Center has chosen to use many alternative building materials in this structure. This is not only sustainable but is also healthier to the users and its habitat. It is through these alternate choices we can see how design can not only be green but also have an aesthetic quality as well. Rather than using traditional insulation which can be harmful to your health, the Swaner Eco Center uses denim. Scrap denim can be obtained from companies that make jeans. This healthy alternative helps to keep waste out of landfills along with being an effective insulator. Another eco-friendly alternative choice was in the siding for this building, which is made of fiber cement (Figure 7). This material offers a responsible alternative to wood. Fiber cement is extremely durable in this varying climate. This material can withstand UV radiation and harsh weather conditions with little maintenance. Unlike wood fiber cement is not vulnerable to rot or termites.
Figure 7.

The flooring throughout the center is bamboo and concrete. Bamboo is fast growing grass. Unlike hardwoods, which can take over one hundred years to mature, bamboo can be harvested every few years. This material is light weight and very durable (Figure 8). The concrete flooring throughout the center contains 25% fly ash. Fly ash is a byproduct of burning coal for electricity. Fly ash is light tan in color and has the consistency of talcum powder. The use of this material helps to cut down on waste that goes to the landfills.
Figure 8.

As you continue to the outside, the flooring that is carried onto the

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board walk is composite decking. This is another choice instead of wood. This material is made from 50% wood fibers and 50% recycled plastics. Composite decking requires little maintenance because there is no need for sealing, staining or treating. Composite decking also resists warping, splitting, rot, mold and termite damage. The finished deck boards can have the look of real wood without the hassle (Figure 9). This alternative decking can last two to three times longer than traditional wood decking.
Figure 9.

4. Indoor Air Circulation References

"Fiber Cement Siding." Wikipedia. 6 June 2011. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber_cement_siding>. "Fly Ash | Coal Combustion Products Partnership | US EPA." US Environmental Protection Agency. 26 July 2011. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. <http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/imr/ccps/flyash.htm>. Heider, Tammy, comp. "Extrusion Solutions." Entrek Extruders: 1-6. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. <http://www.entek-mfg.com/v2/pdf/ExtrusionSolutions_Oct05ebook.pdf>. Kriken, J. L.: 2010, City Building: Nine Planning Principles for the Twenty-First Century, Princeton Architectural Press, New York. p. 6. Lechner, Norbert. Heating, Cooling, Lighting: Sustainable Design Methods for Architects. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2009. Print. Sustainability Methods. Plaques Inside Building. Swaner EcoCenter. "Toilet Rebate Program." Metropolitan North Georgia Water District. 2006. Web. 2 Nov. 2011. <http://www.northgeorgiawater.com/html/315.htm>.