Since its establishment, the United States Green Building Council’s LEED rating system has been positioned as one of the most highly regarded programs for the design, construction, and operation of green buildings. Designers, construction managers and others whose professions hold close ties with the building industry are constantly searching for new ways to not only make their buildings greener but also to look at their projects holistically -- going beyond the consideration of just the buildings and expanding the view to entire campuses and land uses.

Although many clients, organizations and developers are aware of the opportunities that building properties with the LEED stamp of approval afford, some still, for various reasons, choose not to take their projects through the commissioning process to become LEED certified. For instance, a nonprofit organization may not have the necessary budget to implement and carry out the upfront costs associated with the list of requirements to attain LEED certification for its facilities. However, this does not mean that the project was not designed with sustainability in mind. In many cases, much thought has been given to the process, and many best practices and green strategies are integrated into the design.

Girls Hope of Pittsburgh

The Girls Hope of Pittsburgh nonprofit organization is one example where, although its new Girls Hope Dormitory (sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph) did not register to become a LEED certified building, the organization, designers and construction team put a high value on making the new facility a healthy living environment and model of good design.

Founded in Pittsburgh in 1990, Girls Hope helps academically capable and motivated children-in-need to meet their full potential by providing value-centered, nurturing homes and academic opportunities. The program serves children between the ages of 10-18 who are at risk due to poverty, neglect or harmful neighborhood conditions. In order to carry out its mission, Girls Hope provides stable, safe homes, each accommodating full-time residents while also serving as a home base for several Girls Hope college students.

When the organization needed a new place to house its residents, Girls Hope was welcomed on a new site in Coraopolis, Penn. The location is part of a much larger campus overseen by the Felician Sisters, which has a unique history of sustainability. Having gone through a renovation, the entire campus has a green orientation. Many of the buildings on the existing property are LEED certified and related innovations such as alternative energy use are a reality of the property. The sisters believe that a part of their responsibilities, in ties with their religious beliefs, encompasses a responsibility toward the land. For this reason, the existing campus was designed with thought toward the environment and land stewardship, and following suit, the new Girls Hope building was completed with a consciousness of these values.

Green Strategies for Girls Hope

With a limited budget and the realization of its narrow time constraints, Girls Hope relied on the help of some of its partners, such as architectural design and planning firm Burt Hill, to provide pro bono services to help reach the project goals. “Burt Hill was honored to support the Girls Hope mission by lending its services for such a great cause,” said Barb Cain, Burt Hill’s principal-in-charge of the project. “As a firm, we see value in the opportunity to combine outreach efforts with our responsible design practices.” Other assistance was provided by structural engineering firm Atlantic Engineering Services and construction company Massaro Corporation.

Over an eight-week time period, the design team, using a base design provided by Girls Hope, collaborated to identify and incorporate opportunities for sustainability that would provide the organization with the most benefits while enhancing the aesthetics and fitting within the existing context of the larger sustainable campus. The team first considered Girls Hope’s main concerns and areas of interest, all of which centered around having a low maintenance facility that would serve them well into the future and, where possible, offer opportunities for cost savings and efficiencies.

With this in mind, the team collaborated to provide integrated design solutions that focused on sustainability.

Sustainable and durable building materials include bricks, Hardi Plank and composite trim. Photo courtesy of Burt Hill.

Site Design

Common for the hilly topography of the Pittsburgh area, the site had to be re-graded in order for the Girls Hope home to be built. The team removed the soil, which was then redistributed within the campus boundaries and reused and repurposed little by little for various other uses -- a sustainable practice. Additional site work included stormwater retention on the site. To keep the water from running into the main stormwater system, a bio-retention pond was designed. A best management practice, the use of a bio-retention pond collects all of the water used within the house, inhibiting this extra water from filling up the main stormwater system. Any other downspouts discharge into the grass as all stormwater is collected and contained within the site.

Durable Building Materials

While working to keep the traditional design intent, the team incorporated durable building materials, including bricks, Hardi Plank and composite trim. Around the back of the house, there is exposed split-face concrete block, which is also resilient. Energy-efficient, thermally insulated windows are utilized wherever possible, and a metal roof, a gift from a donor, is featured. Not only is this a highly unique product that enhances the aesthetics of the facility because it looks like a shingle roof, but it is also a hard-wearing roof with an expected lifetime of 50 years.

Orientation of the house

Most of the public spaces are located facing south at the back of the house contributing to passive solar opportunities. Also, in the winter, the low sun will shine into these public spaces assisting with control of heating costs by naturally warming these targeted areas. To help with cooling costs in the summertime, planted trees around the southern-exposed parts of the house provide additional shade.

Daylighting

The team worked hard to maximize the windows for daylighting knowing that the proper usage could reduce the need for electric lights within the house. Their solution was to incorporate double and paired windows for the public space as well as on the sides of the facility. The team felt an exposed back side of the house would also give more natural light and provide another opportunity for back usable space. It faces south, so it gets light all throughout the day, while all mechanical and storage spaces are located on the north side. Even the garage has natural lighting, with windows across the back and set within the front doors.

Indoor and outdoor areas are blended to connect organic elements. For instance, windows have low sills that not only provide for better daylighting, but also help to connect the people inside with the outdoor elements. This unique element was incorporated within the north side of the building.

The exposed back of the house provides natural light and another opportunity for usable space. Photo courtesy of Burt Hill.

General Construction

Several green strategies were incorporated throughout the construction process. Increasing the stud size created additional room to provide insulation for the house. Similar to daylighting and orientation of the facility itself, this contributes to reducing overall costs for heating and cooling. Another sustainable construction element, one that helped to reduce overall construction costs, was the utilization of an entirely prefabricated structural system. Built in a factory off site, this method minimized the amount of waste that typically occurs when materials are cut and assembled on site. Floor and roof trusses, as well as the wall system, were entirely prefabricated.

The new, 7,500-square-foot facility for Girls Hope houses 11 girls and three counselors, serving as a testament to the Sisters’ mission and as a living model of sustainability for its residents.

“Our girls love their new home, which provides a safe, nurturing environment, and has helped them develop a deeper appreciation for the environment and the importance of becoming good stewards of our earth and her resources,” said Sister Tahaney, of the Sisters of St. Joseph. “Congratulations and gratitude to all involved in bringing this project to fruition.”

For more information on Girls Hope of Pittsburgh, visit www.girlshope.org. More information on Burt Hill is available at www.burthill.com.