30 things you can do to make your commercial building Earth Friendly

Nov 18, 2016

30 things you can do to make your commercial building Earth Friendly

How do you start? How do you create a commercial building that is sustainable? Here are 30 things you can do to make your commercial building Earth Friendly. Click the links and learn more.

Upgrade the fiberglass insulation to foam
If you cannot afford better insulation – make the building air tight as a minimum
Install a solar thermal system to produce hot water
Add more insulation in the attic
integrate pre-heated warm air into the HVAC system
Add natural light where you can
Use the floor as mass storage by installing dark tile or leaving concrete exposed and adjust overhangs to allow sunlight in the winter and shading in the summer
install a better water heater
install a light-colored roof
look at USDA grants, “solar barn raising”, or federal tax credit options for adding solar PV
Move the HVAC systems in the attic inside of conditioned spaces instead of outside the thermal envelope
install better windows
install operable windows so you can breathe fresh air
insulate under entire slab
select energy star appliances
install motion sensors on lights in restrooms and sleeping rooms
install motion sensor on bath fans with a timer
select products that are no voc
install a rainscreen behind siding to prevent moisture in walls
Keep plants away from exterior walls and HVAC equipment
collect rainwater in a cistern
Advocate for measuring the Energy Use Intensity to know how efficient the building will be
Check the comprehensive plan for your community to see if they say anything like “we will have an environmental performance standard”
make it easy for someone to bike to work by installing bike racks
understand carbon
reduce stormwater runoff
install a vegetated roof
install water conserving fixtures
require a duct leakage test on the ductwork after installation
set up a recycling center in the facility so product does not go to the landfill – if it is not easy people will not do it

As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by Gaines Group Architects.

Series Name: An Interlude of Water

Medium: Hand-cut Montage

Artist Statement: “An Interlude of Water

The stillness of a hot, lazy summer evening broken by the laughter of good friends as fishies bite and the sun slowly slips towards the horizon.

The pond collection swirls and twirls like the eddies at the shoreline. Developing slowly to capture the quiet aspects of what creatures could quietly inhabit a pond within the Shenandoah landscape.

The past eight months have been a creative frenzy of exploration, joy, and personal contentment, from envisioning a cohesive grouping of collages that share a color palette to letting my imagination play. The resulting collection has stretched my artistic skills and broadened my perception of interpretation and idea development.

My Process:

Each collage starts as a line drawing, creating a detailed map of the imagery to be included within the work. Moving the drawing to the wooden panel entails many bits of hand-cut paper, acrylic mediums, and acid-free paste. A sticky mess, but it so satisfies the need for detail my brain requires. All papers used are colored with acrylic paint applied with painting tools or a Gelli plate. A lot of time is spent pressing (lever press, heavy books, etc) and drying the glued papers before and after mounting on the wooden surface. Acrylic varnish provides a protective sealant for the completed collage. From concept to finished work, the process takes, on average, four weeks.”

Artist Bio: I’ve always been one to dabble in new trends and techniques. Treading water, seeking the thing that would capture and devour my imagination. In 2018, when life was overwhelming and my soul needed an escape, I fell back in love with collage. Over the intervening eight years, my artistic practice has settled into an obsession, forcing a growth in style and technique with results that personally bring me joy. A relocation to Harrisonburg, Virginia, has allowed me to establish a permanent studio space, adding momentum to my artistic journey.

*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility challenges. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot!