Project Features

Pending Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council to be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building.

Location:  a thriving urban retail corridor, blocks from the Monterey Bay with easy access to bus lines.

Permeable Paving:  reduces impact on natural hydrology.  Reduces impact on storm water control infrastructure.  Reduces pollution in stormwater runoff.
www.calstone.com
www.perviouspavement.org

Light colored Concrete:  reduces urban ‘heat island effect’ by reflecting rather than absorbing heat from sun.  Matching color of existing sidewalks aids in creating a flow of space from public sidewalk into the retail space.
www.epa.gov/heatisld

Carbon-Neutral Concrete:  captures CO2 from Moss Landing Power plant and entrains it into concrete instead of allowing it to be released into the atmosphere.
www.calera.com

Light Colored Roof:  reduces urban ‘heat island effect’ by reflecting rather than absorbing heat from sun.  Steel roof is recycled, recyclable, and durable.
www.custombiltmetals.com

Reduced Water Use:  all landscaping uses minimal water, composed of plants appropriate for use in a dry-summer, Mediterranean climate.  The landscape irrigation system will be controlled by a weather based controller that utilizes an on-site weather station.  
http://www.santacruz.watersavingplants.com
http://soquelcreekwater.org/content/smart-irrigation-controllers
http://rcdsantacruz.org/media/brochures/pdf/HomeDrainageGuide.v25.pdf

All water using fixtures are the lowest flow available.
www.stealth-toilet.com
www.soquelcreekwater.org
www.americanstandard-us.com
www.kohler.com
www.haws.com

Commissioned:  all systems of the building will be brought into commission by licensed mechanical engineers to optimize operating efficiency and reduce maintenance.
www.axiomengineers.com

Photovoltaic Panels: produce a large portion of electricity required by building.
www.realgoodssolar.com
www.sharpusa.com

Active Solar Hot Water Collector: preheats water for showers and hydronic radiant floor space heating system
http://hnjiajiare.en.made-in-china.com
www.htproducts.com/versa-hydro.html

Optimized Energy Performance: the envelope has been designed to limit heat flow and infiltration. The window frames possess a thermal break to inhibit conduction of heat.
www.biobased.net
www.achfoam.com
www.oldcastlebe.com

All lighting is low wattage.
www.lumec.com/products/luminaires/serie_leonis.html

Construction Waste: a certified green builder is responsible for recycling all waste leaving the site.

Materials used have high recycled content and are from regional suppliers where possible.

Materials are suited to the environment and require low or no maintenance. (corrugated cemetious siding)
www.foundryservice.com

Natural Ventilation: building designed to induce stack effect. Exhausts hot air at top and intakes cooler air at bottom.

Efficient Mechanical Ventilation: reclaims heat from exhaust air by preheating incoming air.
www.fantech.net

Low-Emitting Materials: all adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, and composite wood products have low or no VOC content.

Thermal Comfort: by using radiant heat from the floor instead of forced air, the air temperature can be lower which decreases heat loss through the envelope. The air is also less dry with this type of heat, giving occupants a comfortable heat without drying out sinuses or spreading particulates about the building. The heating system is zonally controlled by the occupants for optimum comfort.

Views: due to the location, there are dynamic views from most areas of the building. This end of 41st Avenue in Santa Cruz is evolving from sleepy second hand stores to an extremely vital outdoor shopping corridor in Pleasure Point.