Introduction
Assignment: What are the opportunities for the site and the operations based there to become more sustainable as a result of this renovation?
Description: This assignment will identify the ideas and options that the architect can be asked to incorporate into the schematic design process.
Homework Approach
By June 1st, when the architect begins work, what do we need to know?
- What are the current sustainabiltiy standards and requirements for new and renovated construction of city-owned buildings?
- SY: LEED considers built infrastructure; how do we incorporate "green infrastructure" (open space)?
- SY: Water flows - [sy] where are the areas prone to flooding? Can bioswales and other wetland features be used in design?
- SY: Elevation - [sy] example of the longblocks - could water be captured on the east end and trees could be gravity fed?
- SY: Wind patterns - [sy] where is the wind the strongest? can this energy be harnessed?
- SY: Solar path - [sy] don't block southern exposure for greenhouses/horticulture. Capture radiant heat for buildings. Placement of solar panels.
- SY: Native plants
- SY: Birds/nests (are we taking out trees and displacing nesting habitat?)
- SY: Alternatives/additions to LEED (permaculture, carbon neutral, biomimicry, natural step)
- Don: What is the city's/PP&R's definition of sustainability? What is our definition of sustainablity? How can we nudge the city/PP&R's view of sustainablity to be more than "green buildings"
- sy: What is the service plan for the yard? what are the maintenance needs for 20, 30, 40 years down the road... will we be mowing lawns or will we be installing solar panels?
What else will we want to figure out as part of the process?
- SY: Implications of Resolution No. 36488 (goal of reducing city's energy use by half in the next 24 years) passed unanimously by the Council to support the recommendations of the Peak Oil Task Force. The 6-page executive summary can be found here: http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=150016
- SY: Who will use the space in the end design. MTY employees, community?, volunteers, dog walkers, children
- Don: What models of sustainablity are in existence that we can use to guide us?
How do we want to answer these questions?
- Jon: Let's get input from yard staff about how they see opportunities to be more sustainable.
- SY: Major groups seen as having a critical role in forging a new societal ethos attuned to collective sustainability concerns: Government, Local authorities and planners, Business and industry, Technologists, Labor and trade unions, Farmers, First Peoples, NGOs and the environmental movement, Scientific community, Women, Children, Environmental educators and other cultural change agents (such as environmental writers, artists and musicians)
- SY: Get a permaculture perspective.
- Don: Research. Scott, are you reading this?
- sy: Metro - they seem to have their finger on the pulse of restoring habitat.
- Maija: review Parks Sustainability Plan: http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=186662 (NOTE: right click on this link & select "open in new window", as it won't let you return to this page once you open this PDF) - see page 5 for Parks Bureau vision statement/goals for sustainability
- is a good document - a couple of questions/comments:
- what are the other bureau's sustainability plans?
- Maija: All City bureaus are required to submit a sustainability plan to OSD beginning in 2007 (and will be updated every year). This is part of BIP #18 (Sustainable City Government Partnership or SCGP), which has set up a Citywide Sustainability group and an annual reporting structure, so the City can meausre how we're doing in sustainability terms as summation of all the bureaus. Bureaus plans are available online here:
- does parks discuss with other bureau's concerning their sustainability plans?
- Maija: As part of the SCGP (see above), every City bureau has several sustainability liasions who get together on a regular basis (not sure how often - maybe quarterly?) to discuss plans, reporting back, etc.
- More about SCGP: http://www.portlandonline.com/osd/index.cfm?c=41630
What are the important products?
- SY:Three E's of Sustainability: Equity, Economy, Environment - leading to a fourth E: education (see attachment for further detail)
- Don: A holistic definition of sustainability that will, in turn, provide practical applications, methods, procedures and designs for the MTCY&N.
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Hello. My name is Tom Wikle and I look forward to working in the Sustainablity Group. I am very interested in sustainable living and would like to see how we can implement that in the Mt. Tabor Yard. My email address is tom.wikle@gmail.com if you want to contact me.
Completely aside from sustainability - I was also wondering about public safety. Division is a busy street and it will be important to get the committee's (and the community's) read on the neighborhood dynamic, lighting, traffic patterns, etc. Feel free to move this comment to the applicable subcommittee...
Glad to see Tom and Hiromi "in the room." Do either of you have any bullet points you'd like to add above?
I ran across a resolution from 2005 regarding Portland's Green Building Standards. It can be found at
http://www.portlandonline.com/osd/index.cfm?c=41701&a=112681.
How anyone else seen this document? It looks like a strating point for this group.
Tom, I think that's very on point. We have an informal liaison from the Office of Sustainable Development. Perhaps part of our approach should be some kind of brainstorm/learning session with her? One idea she suggested was a tour of "green" industrial facilities in the region. Is that heading in the right direction?
Jon. I agree. What is her name and number? I can call her and talk about the project. Also, who would be a good person on the Yard staff to talk to about Sustainability?
All, I've attached a document I have cut and pasted from a paper I did concerning the three 'E's of Sustainability. May be beneficial in answering the questions above.
Tom, I'll send you an email with her info. OSD offers a "green design" session to the group and our consultant when we bring them on board. I think maybe this group can be key in planning that session.
Does anybody have anything they want to add to the scope above? Maybe it's easy to start at the end. What does the end product look like? Maybe, in terms of process, do you want to start with a brainstorming session together?
All- I've attached a document pertaining to principles of Permaculture design (Permaculture_Ethics_Principles.doc), some of which may be good points to keep in mind in our discussions. A couple comments on the first three principles as they pertain to this project:
1) Observe - the architects/designers won't be able to "observe the site and its elements in all seasons" so how can we relay this knowledge to them? Are there problems with flooding in the spring? Problems from the wind in the fall? etc.
2) Connect - is the current location suitable for Park's needs? Assuming yes, use the centralized location as advantage to overall service plan of Parks.
3) Catch and store energy - Can water catchment systems be used to for horticultural (other) needs? Can solar/radiant heat be captured for air conditioning needs? Would the east winds power a windmill?
There will be a seminar on Economics, Sustainability, and Historic Preservation on Saturday, May 10th at the Kennedy School. The topics will include sustainability, economics, cultural responsibilities, and environmental concerns. Tickets are $10. If you are interested, contact the Architectural Heritage Center at www. visitahc.org. This could be interesting and timely for us.
All- I've attached a PowerPoint presentation from John Kaufmann of the Oregon Department of Energy concerning Peak Oil and the implications. He recently made this presentation to Multnomah Cty employees and the Portland Peak Oil group. John staffed the Portland Peak Oil Task Force that made recommendations to the City of Portland to reduce energy consumption (Resolution No. 36488, which was passed unanimously by city council).
The document is large (72 pages) and sort of ominous - but I feel the "take home points" (pg 64 and after) are the points to keep in mind in our conversations:
- Energy affects EVERYTHING
- Don't debate timing - start NOW
- Maintain COMMUNITY; avoid go-it-alone solutions