Results!
Mar 9th, 2012 by Matteo Agnoloni
We have completed our CSL project and our final results are as follows!
Credit 3.1 is a required component to pass the SSI water requirement rating. Its aim is to reduce the potable water usage by 50% for irrigation of the area. Following the method of calculations provided by the SSI, the reduction in potable was calculated to be around 30% for peak watering months, and thus did not meet this criterion.
Credit 3.5 focuses on managing stormwater on site. Specifically, it aims at increasing infiltration, and reducing runoff and evapotranspiration. This is achieved through a reduction in non-permeable area. Calculations were performed using a modified TR-55 method as recommended in the SSI guidelines. Ultimately, there was no reduction in permeable area, thus no credits were awarded for this section.
Credit 3.6 focused on protecting and enhancing on site water quality. Potential pollutants used in exterior construction were identified, and filtration methods were taken into account. According to the guidelines, there were only a small amount of potential pollutants present and filtration was provided by drainage holes as wells as large areas dedicated to soil and vegetation. By the rating criteria, this credit received the full 9 points.
Credit 3.7 aimed to make the water features visible and accessible from the site. Because the two water amenities were 100% visible and accessible, but not available for full human contact, 2 out of a possible 3 credits were awarded.
Credit 3.8 was about maintaining water balance in water features from non-potable sources. This was achieved in full by relying solely on rainwater to fill both water amenities on site. An additional point was awarded by using gravity for all movement and recirculation of water. Thus, 4 out of a possible 4 points were awarded.
Out of a possible 26 points, 15 were awarded for the project. Although due to the requirement that 3.1 is passed, the project didn’t technically meet the guidelines.
Congratulations! This was a challenging project for sure. The level at which you have been able to respond to the client is impressive. It looks like the team has shown initiative, hard work, and good judgement.
The project raises important issues about measuring sustainability. Given your experiences with the sustainable sites initiative, I wonder what you are thinking about what makes a system sustainable and how to determine which design is more sustainable than another.
Again, congratulations on completing the project.
Regards,
Susan Nesbit