Wall Residences Goes Green with Sustainable Office Building in Floyd, VA
Located in Floyd County, Virginia at 718 Franklin Pike, the building’s unique and beautiful architecture has been drawing attention since beginning construction in late Fall of 2007. The building is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certified by the United States Green Building Council – a prestigious certification only achieved by a few buildings in Southwest Virginia. Green features include a very tight and energy efficient building with fresh air intakes through a heat exchange system to dramatically reduce energy loss.
Full use of energy efficient lighting (mostly CFL and LED lighting). 82 Photovoltaic solar panels to produce most of the energy needs for the building, two solar thermal panels to heat water. Day lighting to naturally brighten interior spaces from 24 light tubes. 12 geothermal wells to heat and cool the building. Rainwater collection systems for non potable water uses.
The Solar Tubes capture light through a dome on the roof and channel it down through an internal reflective channel. This reflective tubing is far more efficient than a traditional drywall skylight shaft, which can lose over half of the potential light. The tubing fits between rafters and requires no structural modification. A diffuser resembling a recessed light fixture spreads the light evenly throughout the interior of the room.
Geothermal technology uses the earth’s renewable energy, just below the surface, to heat or cool a building, and to help provide hot water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said they are, “The most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available today.” The system burns no fossil fuel to produce heat. It generates far less green-house gas emissions than a conventional furnace, and completely eliminates a potential source of poisonous carbon monoxide within our building.
All of the rainwater from the roof is collected into an 8000 gallon cistern under the building. This rainwater is used to flush toilets, irrigate landscaping around the property, supply water for a water sculpture on the patio deck, and to wash agency or staff vehicles. The rainwater collection system was engineered by Rainwater Management Solutions of Salem, Virginia.
Many of the materials for the building are made of recycled content, or made from materials created locally. For example, the kitchen countertop is made from recycled concrete and aggregate stones dredged from the nearby New River. Carpet and ceramic tiles are made from recycled materials. Local woods or other products from nearby are used wherever possible.
A recycling committee has been formed, and the office staff is not only enjoying this beautiful new working environment, but doing their part to promote sustainability and recycling. The kitchen is fully stocked with dishes, glasses, silverware, reusable storage containers, and cloth napkins.
Cleaning for the building is provided by some of the individuals who receive services from the Wall Residences agency.
The building houses multiple offices, a conference room with a table hand-crafted in Floyd by Phoenix Hardwoods, reception, kitchen, and storage areas. A separate room for organizing and storing recyclable products is in the basement. Bathrooms include a shower area for staff that bicycle or walk to work and want to shower after arriving. We include a bicycle rack at the front of the building for safe placement of worker bicycles. Behind the building is a landscaped courtyard area, with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. In the future we have plans for improved bicycling and walking trails in the area to enhance the safety and convenience of bicycling and walking commuters.
