New Jersey's Growing Demand For Green!

There's a growing demand for energy efficient buildings and homes as we reach an era where people are trying help the environment. Because of this demand, there's a system in place that determines if a building is energy efficient and how it affects the land around it. The system is called the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, also referred to as LEED. The system judges on indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency, water savings, materials selection, and sustainable site development. There are currently 31 LEED certified eco friendly communities in New Jersey, with many of them being public buildings. One of the more recent buildings that has been developed is a building on 14 Maple Avenue in Newark.
The idea for the building came about when the Morristown Parking Authority had intentions of making a new office building that would house non-profit organizations. They approached one of the better-known organizations, the Dodge Foundation. It was the Dodge Foundation that actually suggested the idea of creating the building with LEED certification in mind. Finding this to be a good idea, the MPA decided to run with it. It has since been on of the few sustainable communities in New Jersey to receive a gold certification from LEED.
The building itself has been built with the interest of having maximum efficiency and comfort. The walls, ceilings, windows and doors have been made to keep the outside temperature and various pollutants from getting inside the building as well as maximize the amount of sunlight that the building uses. The windows are actually designed to let light in without the added affects of heat. Aluminum screens have been used on the outside of the building which moderate the inside temperature so that it's not affected by the weather or season. There are also solar panels to create energy for itself for office use.
Most of the materials that have been used are recycled materials. One of the features the building has that is different from most of the green communities in New Jersey is its very large living wall. A living wall is a concrete wall with plants growing on it. The purpose of this is to naturally cleanse the air of carbon dioxide for better breathing. A garden that fills the roof has also been implemented to not only provide a natural habitat but to also protect the inside of the building from excess heat and water.
Furniture is being provided for the offices to keep green in mind on the inside as well as the outside. Items like desks and the floors are made from bamboo, cork, and other renewable sources. Non-toxic cleaning products will be the only products allowed for use inside the building to keep with the green communities in New Jersey theme. This building has definitely exceeded many people's expectations from an office building, and it is a strong example of how green thinking can be applied to all aspects of life.

« Click to go back