New York Unveils First U.S. Eco-Friendly Residential High Rise
New York Governor George Pataki has dedicated the nation’s first “green” residential high rise building –The Solaire in New York City.
Located at 20 River Terrace in New York’s Battery Park City is the first new residential construction to be completed in downtown Manhattan since September 11, 2001, and was the first beneficiary of the state’s green building tax credit.
The 27 story, 293 unit building has been environmentally engineered to consume 35 percent less energy, reduce peak demand for electricity by 65 percent, require 50 percent less potable water, provide healthier indoor air quality and offer more natural light than typical residential buildings.
The Solaire was constructed using green building materials that either have high recycled content, or were manufactured with renewable or rapidly renewable resources, free of formaldehyde and containing low or no volatile organic chemicals.
It contains photovoltaic cells, integrated within the exterior walls, that are capable of generating five percent of the building’s base electric load. Fresh air supplies to each residence are filtered to remove 85 percent of particulate matter and the building’s air conditioning system are fueled by natural gas and free of ozone depleting refrigerants.
The Solaire has an onsite black water system to eliminate the use of potable water for the building’s flush system and supply the heating, ventilation and air conditioning cooling tower. It also contains a storm water catchment system to irrigate the rooftop garden.
“The Solaire stands as a model for future residential development in New York City and across the nation,” said Pataki. “The Solaire’s dedication to energy efficiency, air quality, water conservation and preservation of natural resources is groundbreaking, establishing it as a benchmark for urban sustainable development and for “green” buildings worldwide.”
Provided by theEnvironmental News Service.
