The Artyard – A Sustainable Building Project in the Santa Fe Railyard
We are proud to be part of the growing movement toward sustainable building and look to a bright "green" future for Santa Fe, New Mexico
Download Green Building Facts >>
 In December of 1995, the City of Santa Fe, NM purchased the property now know as the Santa Fe Railyard. The purchase followed over a decade of community input that the development of this property be an asset and benefit to the community and to honor the history of the area.
The ArtYard reflects the premier green building standards developed by WivCo, Inc. who created The Lofts on Cerrillos Road and Marquez Place. Don Wiviott, principal of The Lofts and ArtYard majored in environmental studies at Dartmouth in the 1970’s.
Fourteen years ago, Mr. Wiviott developed The Lofts on Cerrillos Road with the simple idea of creating a place where a commute to work was simply a walk down the stairs. Reducing the time, expense and energy expended in driving to work from the suburbs translates to financial savings as well as the ability to bank opportunity to improve one’s quality of life.
All of the projects are within walking distance to grocery stores, restaurants, businesses and entertainment. Built with tight shells and energy savings features, The Lofts was building “green” before building green was even a cliche. The ArtYard has been designed and built to achieve a Platinum LEED certification, the highest certified level that is awarded by the United States Green Building Council. The ArtYard will be one of the few Platinum LEED certified buildings in New Mexico and one of the first Platinum LEED certified live/work buildings in the Nation!
While our goal is to reduce and save as much energy as possible, usage and efficiencies of systems are impossible to completely predict. Therefore, the information provided reflects recommended standards and stated efficiencies are not guaranteed by the ArtYard and are subject to change.
SUSTAINABLE SITE
One criteria in achieving Platinum LEED certification is starting with a sustainable site. This is determined by:
- What was previously on the site;
- How convenient the site is to grocery stores, shops, restaurants and other local amenities; and,
- How the site is located in relation to public transportation.
 The ArtYard is located downtown Santa Fe in the Railyard District redevelopment project. A site analysis and remediation have been performed to rehabilitate the site and make it livable.
The ArtYard is within walking distance to Whole Foods, Farmers Market, cinemas, restaurants, shopping and parks. It is a few minute walk to the Rail Runner Train Terminal and bus routes. A new bike path and boardwalk sit outside the ArtYard door. These amenities make this an ideally sustainable site – walking access to most all things necessary, close to public transportation, and built on a redeveloped area.
The building envelopes will be very tight to retain heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. CO2 detectors, circulation systems and operable windows in the upper panes will allow for quality ventilation and airflow.
Light wells have been installed in the corridor of the building to provide natural light in the back of the living units to compliment the large windows and light coming from the front of each unit. Daylight software was employed to design all regularly occupied spaces with 100% sufficient natural lighting.
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
In constructing the ArtYard we have made a considerable effort to recycle mulching scrap lumber, cobbling rocks into gravel and donating items that can be re-used. Much of the material that would have normally been sent to the local landfill has been diverted and re-used.
The materials going into the building process were reviewed for their recycled content and purchased within the region to reduce the waste of transportation costs. Many of the materials used in our construction are rapidly renewable - a choice that helps the natural environment recover from the effects of building.
An ongoing recycling program will be in place for the owners and tenants of the ArtYard. Recycling bins will be placed in the basement and will be picked up weekly.
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL AIR QUALITY
The importance of indoor air quality is paramount since most Americans spend nearly 90% of their lives indoors. We will use no or low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, sealants, and adhesives and all insulation will be formaldehyde free. CO2 monitors in all regularly occupied spaces will insure high levels of fresh air at all times. Operable windows and generous overhead provide natural ventilation during the spring and fall.
Although privately owned, the Condominium Declarations of the ArtYard will prohibit smoking in all areas.
Only refrigerants that are considered safe for the ozone are used on-site (no CFC’s or ozone-damaging HCFC’s).
WATER EFFICIENCY
Water is one of our most valuable resources in New Mexico, therefore, we have taken significant measures to conserve and re-use water as much as possible.
Water savings begins with a water budget. The City of Santa Fe has retrofitted high consumption toilets throughout the City with low flow toilets, promotes on-site recycling and conservation. We will be capturing rain water at the ArtYard to store in a 30,000 gallon cistern buried under the courtyard which will water all of the landscaping.
Low flow and dual flush toilets will be installed which mean less water for #1 than for #2. This adaptation saves a tremendous amount of water each year. The water being flushed down the toilets will be regenerated from our grey water recycling system. All sink, shower, and washing machine water will be filtered through six different filter systems and then used to flush the toilets. This will save over 65,000 gallons of water per year realizing a savings of over 50% for a typical building of this size.
ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE
The fight to reduce our dependency on foreign oil is more than just changing the car we drive. Buildings use a substantial amount of natural gas and coal resources and contribute more than 30% of America’s greenhouse emissions. Renewable energy is the answer. The ArtYard will have 72 - 4’X4’ solar thermal panels that will generate 100% of the domestic hot water (180 million BTU’s) for the units and at least 35% of the heating costs (48 Million BTU’s) for each unit. This is based on 40% efficiency. Once the domestic hot water consumption is satisfied, we anticipate that our overall efficiency will increase to 60%.
A shower and changing room will be located in the basement of the ArtYard to encourage employees and owners of the businesses to ride their bikes to work.
We will require all tenants and owners to sign up for PNM’s Sky Blue Energy Program. While costing a bit more, we feel having wind generated electricity vs. coal generated electricity is worth the extra cost.
The windows in the building have specific ultraviolet properties depending upon their orientation. The north windows will have greater insulation properties, while the southern facing windows will allow for more passive solar heating. We use the most efficient (Eagle Brand) windows, utilizing 2’E’ and 4’E’ rated glazing. The windows have been tested on site to ensure maximum protection from the elements, and wind-tunnel tested at the factory.
 Energy Efficient Equipment – All appliances will be Energy Star. Air conditioners and boilers will some of the most efficient available.
Alternative Transportation – Our project is located within walking distance to bus lines and rail lines. This will minimize the use of automobiles
The Artyard Project is just one of many projects that is the result of years of research and building innovation by thousands of designers, engineers and builders. We are proud to be part of the growing movement toward sustainable building and look to a bright “green” future for Santa Fe, New Mexico, America and the rest of the planet.
Green Building Features at the ArtYard include:
-
THE LOFTS, LLC |
Capture all graywater and reuse to flush toilets
- Advanced framing techniques that reduce building materials
- Roof water capture and reuse for irrigation.
- Water resistant barrier on the buildings.
- Separating and reusing scrap materials.
- Incorporating friendlymaterials like cellulose insulation that has a high percentage of recycled content.
- Recycle waste materials
- Renewable materials like bamboo.
- Certified wood.
- A 60 Home Energy Ratings System (HERS)
- Design and install the HVAC system to Manual
- sD and SEnergy Star appliances and equipment
- Air conditioners with a SEER 15 rating
- Seal all ductsEnergy Star Advanced Lighting Package
- Rough-In for Solar heat and domestic water for possible future use.
- Low flow faucets and shower heads
- Dual flush toilets
- Install direct vent heating equipment that's 95% efficient
- Use materials with no formaldehyde
- Low VOC paint.
*Please note that although we try and use environmentally safe materials, we cannot guarantee that any unit will meet the needs of chemically sensitive individuals.
|
