The Alliance Center. Self-Guided Tour. The Alliance Center is a program of:

Transcription

1 The Alliance Center Self-Guided Tour The Alliance Center is a program of: 1536 Wynkoop Street, B500 Denver, CO

2 Welcome to the Alliance Center! The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado is sowing a seed for a statewide sustainability movement in Colorado by using the Alliance Center as a hub for activity. The Alliance Center is home to about thirty nonprofit organizations which support collaboration among the nonprofit, business, government and academic sectors to achieve environmental, economic and social sustainability in Colorado. You are invited to tour the common areas of the Alliance Center to discover the hidden gems that make the Alliance Center a highperforming, historic building. The building is a showcase for sound building renovations which reduce environmental impacts, create healthy workplaces and promote collaboration. These symbols identify the theme of each educational panel found in the building. The themes are based on the U.S. Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) categories. The Alliance Center received LEED Gold certification for Existing Buildings and LEED Silver for Commercial Interiors. Water Efficiency Collaboration Energy & Atmosphere Materials & Resources Indoor Environmental Quality Accessibility Innovation Sustainable Sites

3 Basement THE HUB (LUNCHROOM) BOARD ROOM TERRACE Pedal Power Biking to work is easy with local bike maps, bike racks and showers. Green Behind the Scene Paper products are chlorine-free and made from 100% post-consumer recycled fiber. Cleaning products are non-toxic. The Water Cooler Effect A block of mail boxes in a single location provides an opportunity for tenants to meet with each other. Sustainable From Start to Finish A furniture manufacturer and interior designer partner to create an office space for collaboration and sustainability. Natural Flooring Also used for counter tops, natural linoleum lasts 25 to 40 years and is completely biodegradable. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle A single stream recycling program allows 20 different materials to be conveniently recycled in the same blue bin. Shared Services, Shared Savings Tenants share a digital phone system, high speed internet, photocopier, fax machines, meeting rooms and more. Shower Power Shower heads deliver a pleasant spray with less than 2 gallons of water per minute. What s Really In That New Smell Paints, adhesives and varnishes have no volatile organic compounds, which reduce exposure to health hazards.

4 1st Floor Lobby LOUNGE Please Wipe All Feet Commercial-grade mats absorb 80-90% of the dirt and toxins that enter a building. Everybody s Best Friend Working dogs and those just here for fun are welcome. Recommended Transportation Options A conveniently-located RTD kiosk offers transit routes and schedules. Reclaimed The custom built cabinet is made from samples of reclaimed materials. Every board, hinge and latch has been used before or has been diverted from the waste stream. Self-Guided Tour The Alliance Center building features and materials are described using eight themes. Educational Collaboration and Innovation The next generation of architects and designers are studying the Alliance Center. History of 1536 Wynkoop This Lower Downtown warehouse built in 1908 has a rich history connected with Denver s Union Station. Collaboration Co-locating in the same building enables groups to work together more effectively and efficiently. How Do You Know if a Building is Green The U.S. Green Building Council suggests 5 criteria to determine the environmental performance of a building. Vision for the Future The Alliance intends to add 30,000 sq. ft. of office space and event and conference facilities to the existing building. Touch Screen A virtual tour introduces the non-profit organizations and special features at the Alliance Center.

5 1st Floor What s Right with This Carpet Carpet tiles throughout the building are made from low VOC-emitting, recycled materials and corn starch. A floating carpet is installed in the Interface Room (3rd floor). Flipping a Switch with a Mouse A direct digital control system allows engineers to remotely customize the temperature, air flow, and energy demand in over 40 zones throughout the building. A Brighter Future Over 1, watt T12 fluorescent bulbs in the building were replaced with energy efficient 32 watt T8 bulbs, resulting in a 40% energy reduction. Water Wise Landscaping Xeriscaping is well-adapted to Colorado s low annual rainfall (~15 inches), and a range of summer and winter temperatures (100 F-0 F). Glass that performs Argon and Krypton insulate the double pane front doors, with an R-value of 9.

6 2nd Floor The Grass May Be Greener Bamboo, a fast growing woody grass, can be harvested in just 5 years. Easing Access Implementing ADA features such as levered-door handles and 36 wide passageways make the building user-friendly for everybody. Let the Natural Light In Plastic walls molded into honey-combs provide a sound barrier without sacrificing light penetration. A Rapidly Renewable Wall Wheatboard is made from an agricultural waste, wheat chaff, into a non-toxic fiberboard. A Better Way to Flush Women can choose either 0.9 gallons or 1.6 gallons per flush by pushing a button (also on 3rd floor). All Signs Point to Sustainability The educational exhibits at the Alliance Center are designed and fabricated from green materials by local green companies.

7 DidYouKnow? Water Savings During January 2006, all water fixtures were replaced with more efficient models. The Alliance Center water consumption dropped immediately more than 84%. The fixtures save $4,500/year on the water bill, paying off the cost of the fixtures in less than five years. Lighting Improvements An investment to upgrade to T-8 fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts paid for itself in less than 2.5 years from energy savings. The new lamps contain 50% less mercury and phosphorus so no hazardous disposal is required. The project qualified for a 20% rebate from Xcel Energy s Demand Side Management program. The special Axis ballasts on the 5th floor harvest daylight, saving even more energy.

8 3rd Floor INTERFACE MEETING ROOM

9 3rd Floor (continued) Even the Walls Wear Jeans Alternatives to traditional fiberglass insulation such as denim, soy foam and cellulose offer safe and sustainable advantages. Past, Present and Future Post and beam construction uses joint geometry. Meeting of the Minds Public conference rooms create a hub for collaboration, conversation and training on sustainability issues. Watts On, Watts Off Occupancy sensors detect motion up to 35 ft away and turn off the lights when no one is around. What s Right with This Carpet Carpet tiles throughout the building are made from low VOC-emitting, recycled materials and corn starch. A floating carpet is installed in the Interface Room (3rd floor). Plugging the Money Drain By replacing sinks and urinals with more efficient systems, the Alliance Center cut its water consumption more than 84%. Hands Off! Water free urinals save almost 60,000 gallons of water per year. Spray Power~Replace Water with Air Reduce water consumption by 50% by simply adding a flow restrictor and a faucet aerator that mixes air and water. Water on Command This faucet is infrared motion-sensitive and generates its own power through a unique hydropower technology. A Better Way to Flush Women can choose either 0.9 gallons or 1.6 gallons per flush by pushing a button (also on 3rd floor). Chill Out Non-refrigerated fountains save 3,000 kwh of energy per year and filter water. Shield Against UV Radiation Mylar film on windows is a cost effective way to reflect 99% of the UV radiation and 60% of the heat. DidYouKnow? Natural Light The #1 feature to increase worker productivity isnatural light and views of nature.

10 4th Floor SUITE 4B SUITE 4A 100% Wind Powered Colorado wind power provides 100% of the building s energy. If This Furniture Could Talk Furniture in the lobbies and common areas had previous lives at a convention center, or as a rubber tire or reclaimed pallet. Doors to the Future This composite door is light, strong and fire-proof, using low-voc sealants and no-formaldehyde binders. DidYouKnow? Recycling Over forty percent of the Alliance Center waste is diverted from the landfill through a single-stream recycling program.

11 5th Floor SUITE 500 SUITE 510 Comfortable Lighting A photo cell sensor in each fluorescent fixture harvests natural light and maintains a constant, optimal light level. Muffled Zone An open floor plan increases interaction, natural light and air flow, while using sound-absorbing ceiling tiles and recycled fabrics to limit distractions. What Does a Multi-Tenant Nonprofit Center Look Like Shared meeting space, internet system, lunch room and copiers help make office space more affordable and sociable. Green Roof at EPA The EPA Building located across the street has the first vegetated roof in Colorado used to control storm run-off. The Alliance Center roof provides a control site for EPA. 6th Floor (By appointment only) Sun Block for Buildings A cradle-to-cradle shade (100% recycled and recyclable) blocks the sun but not the view. It controls heat gain and loss, light and glare.

12 For more details about the Alliance Center visit the virtual tour with links to manufacturers and products. Become informed about sustainability issues and events. Join the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado s information list. info@allianceforcolorado.org Support sustainable practices. Donations to the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado are gratefully accepted and tax deductible. Visit support-the-alliance.html The Alliance Center tour is made possible by funding from the Colorado Governor s Energy Office and other generous donors. Design of the Self Guided Tour booklet and interpretive panels by Xplore Interpretive Design, Inc.