Growing a Green Community
One World Financial Center, New York, NY 10281-1097 www.batteryparkcity.org David A. Paterson, Governor, State of New York
James F. Gill, Chairman Charles J. Urstadt, Vice Chairman David B. Cornstein, Member Lynn K. Rollins, Member Andy K. Shenoy, Member Frank J. Branchini, Member Robert J. Mueller, Member James E. Cavanaugh, President and CEO Growing a Green Community
The Battery Park City Story Contents
Introduction Governor David A. Paterson...... 3 Chairman’s Letter James F. Gill, Chairman, Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority...... 4 Chapter 1 Project Beginnings ...... 6 Chapter 2 Green Parks ...... 10 Chapter 3 Going Green...... 12 Chapter 4 Energy ...... 16 Chapter 5 Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality ...... 20 Chapter 6 Water Conservation ...... 24 Chapter 7 Materials and Recycling...... 26 Chapter 8 Commissioning and Education ...... 32 Chapter 9 Green Roofs ...... 34 Chapter 10 Sustainability’s Economic Success ...... 36 Chapter 11 A Marketplace Transformed ...... 38 Chapter 12 The Buildings ...... 42 Acknowledgments...... 45 Introduction
Global warming is one of the most monumental and technology presented upon these pages will inform and instruct. From environmental challenges of our time. It threatens its experience in assisting with the construction of the nation’s first green the sustainability of our planet and our health. Each residential high-rise residential building in the aftermath of the 9/11 decision we make can become part of our local attacks, to the guidance they provided to the New York Mercantile solution to this global challenge. Exchange so that it could become the first building in New York State to As Governor of New York, I am committed to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for promoting renewable energy production, creating Existing Buildings status, the Battery Park City Authority has a wealth of opportunities and training for “green collar” jobs, knowledge to share. It is my hope that others will take what has been and improving energy efficiency. In fact, New York learned and apply it to their own green development. has the most aggressive energy efficiency goal in the nation: reducing From the availability of environmentally sustainable building materials, to electricity use by 15% by 2015. how much building green costs, inside this book you will find answers to Inefficient buildings are the largest contributor to global warming; they’re commonly asked questions. responsible for nearly 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions due to energy use. That is why the efforts of the Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City When government provides opportunities for its constituents that is Authority, New York are so critical; they have been on the forefront of government at its best. The importance of sustainable development becomes green technology and innovative urban design, have made strides in shifting clearer every day. We have all come to understand that we must protect the market to provide greener building materials and processes. This book the limited resources of our planet if we want future generations to thrive. signals that we are capable of laying the groundwork of sustainable living, Enjoy the book, but more importantly, use the book. for ourselves and for the future, one green roof at a time. Governor David A. Paterson Battery Park City’s vast experience in the field of sustainable development New York State
The importance of sustainable development may not be fully known for many years, but what we have all come to understand now is that we must protect the limited resources of our planet if we want future generations to thrive.
PAGE 3 Chairman’s Letter
The Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority has Battery Park City is actively engaged in sharing what we have learned so been on the cutting edge of urban development developers throughout the world will embrace sustainable construction. It is from its very inception. Governor Nelson Rockefeller’s our sincerest desire to provide them with a road map to green development. vision in 1968 was to create a comprehensive As the Solaire was being built, I asked the Albanese Development community in Lower Manhattan that would be the Corporation to keep a diary of its construction. The diary was a daily log of standard by which all others would be measured. problems the organization encountered during the buildings construction That mission has guided Battery Park City throughout and the steps they took to solve those problems. Upon the building’s its rich history and for the better part of the last decade completion, the diary was turned over to the Authority for publication and has inspired the Authority’s greatest achievement, distribution throughout the nation. Most companies would have kept that the implementation of our world renowned green guidelines. Indeed, with information and used it to their obvious advantage but Albanese 4.5 million square feet in sustainable development, the Authority leads by understood the importance of sharing this information. They deserve a lot example showing the world that development does not have to come at of credit for their exceptional generosity, and I am deeply grateful. the expense of the environment. The diary proved to be a critical tool for other developers as they navigated When Battery Park City is complete, it will be home to 8 green residential the green market. Technology for building green was not abundant in high-rise buildings, including the Solaire, which was the nation’s first. The those early years, and the cost of building green was generally more Goldman Sachs World headquarters, which is scheduled for completion in expensive than conventional construction. However, Battery Park City has 2010, will be the largest LEED certified building in the country and the been monitoring the cost differential over the years and we can now say New York Mercantile Exchange, is the first commercial building in New that it has been substantially reduced. Since green materials are more York State to receive a LEED for Existing Buildings rating. readily available and since green features drastically reduce the cost of building operations, developers are reporting significant financial savings as a result of building green.
Battery Park City Authority has been for nearly a decade, and continues to be on the cutting edge of advancing the day when green will be the norm.
PAGE 4 Reducing electric demand through the use of photovoltaic technology and Battery Park City Authority has been for nearly a decade, and continues to reducing the amount of potable water a building uses by recycling it to be on the cutting edge of advancing the day when green will be the norm. flush toilets are just two examples of cost saving technology. Additionally, Governor David A. Paterson shares our green vision, and seeks to keep since green buildings offer an overwhelmingly healthier environment, the Empire State at the vanguard of green development. We look forward people are ready to pay a premium to live in them causing the cost to working with him in the years ahead. differential to be ameliorated. As these costs continue to come down, the We hope you enjoy this book and find it helpful. day draws closer when all buildings will be green and conventional buildings will be obsolete. James F. Gill Chairman, Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority Moving forward under the leadership of Governor David A. Paterson, the Authority will continue to expand its green mission. As I write this, plans are being completed for a K-8 school in the southern neighborhood of Battery Park City. This school will be the first green public school to be built in New York City and will give children the opportunity to learn about green building while benefiting from its technology. This new public school is not the only milestone building planned for our southern neighborhood. Recently we entered into an agreement with New York City to expand our southern border to assume management over historic Pier A. This historic pier replete with a clock tower which was built as a memorial to soldiers killed in World War I will return to its former glory as a green embarkation point for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. CHAPTER 1 Project Beginnings A “comprehensive community” Battery Park City’s story began in 1966, when Governor Nelson Rockefeller unveiled plans to build a “comprehensive community” over the deteriorating piers of the Hudson River in Lower Manhattan. To realize this vision, he convinced the New York State Legislature to establish an entity to oversee the project. So it was in 1968, that the Battery Park City Authority was created.
Above: Governor Rockefeller, Harry Helmsley and Charles Urstadt with an early masterplan. PAGE Right: Landfill operations of Battery Park City Next came the site plan. Governor Rockefeller cared deeply for urban design. For years he worked tirelessly with municipal officials and top architectural and planning firms to develop a strategy for The first task the Authority needed to complete was to create the project. Many draft plans were created and considered, but only new land for the community to be built upon. This was done one reflected the modern thinking of the time on how to create a by extending the Manhattan shoreline beyond the old wharves self-sustaining urban city. Unfortunately, that plan proved to be too and into the Hudson River. There was futuristic and financially unfeasible. abundant fill nearby to do the job. Just a few blocks from the site, a massive In 1979, the Authority challenged the excavation was underway for the World architectural firm of Cooper-Eckstut Trade Center. Out in the Hudson River, to create a new, more workable plan. shipping channels were due to be Cooper-Eckstut drafted, and the dredged. It was from all this fill that the Authority adopted, a master plan that 92 acres known as Battery Park City balanced commercial, residential, retail was created. and park space. It diverged from the previous plans by setting architectural standards for all buildings that were more in line with New York City’s most loved neighborhoods. It also integrated Battery Park City with the rest of Manhattan by extending street grids and providing for easy public access.
With the plan in place, a policy needed to be adopted for developing the parcels and the revenues generated therefrom. After much consideration, it was decided that private developers would
a self-sustaining urban city
PAGE bid for the opportunity to lease individual plots of land from the Tourism was recognized as another key component for a successful Authority, signing leases running through the year 2069 (99 years community. After the Authority worked with the City of New York from the Authority’s start date). The Authority would then collect to provide a site for the construction of the Museum of Jewish payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) as well as land rent from the Heritage in Battery Park City, visitors from around the world began developer. After covering the costs of debt service, operating, to arrive. The Embassy Suites Hotel and Regal Cinemas were expenses and capital costs for infrastructure, all surplus funds are constructed to meet the rising needs of tourists. Later, the Ritz given to the City of New York. To date, the Authority has turned Carlton Hotel and the Skyscraper Museum were constructed. over more than a billion dollars to New York City – an average From its beginnings in 1968, the flexibility of Battery Park City’s of $100 million per year. master plan and its clearly defined design guidelines put it squarely on track to become one of the most successful urban renewal projects A neighborhood takes shape in the world. But as the new century began, the Authority’s Board The first building to break ground in Battery Park City was realized that to become truly successful, the project could and should Gateway Plaza followed soon thereafter by the World Financial do more to improve the local and global environment – that it was Center Complex. Relatively early in the project’s history, public time to really start thinking “green”. amenities such as the 1.5-mile-long esplanade, Rector Park, South Cove, Rockefeller Park and the Belvedere were constructed to create a sense of community and to draw interest to the property. Other public amenities including Wagner Park, the Police Memorial, North Cove Harbor, the Irish Hunger Memorial, Teardrop Park, and the Ballfields were added later. To ensure that Battery Park City would become a thriving community, the Authority required developers to include a variety of apartment sizes in their buildings to attract families with children as well as people of diverse economic backgrounds.
Rockefeller Park PAGE One of the most successful new urban neighborhoods in the world
PAGE CHAPTER 2 Green Parks Battery Park City’s master plan called for one third of the project site to be developed as public open space. The parks and gardens are among the amenities that Battery Park City residents most enjoy.
PAGE 10 With the advent of parks came the need for an entity that could care for them. That’s when the Battery Park City Parks Conservancy (BPCPC) was created. The Conservancy’s staff understood the importance of their work. BPCPC’s sustainable horticulture practices include:
This fledgling neighborhood had little in the way of shopping, n Avoiding the use of inorganic fertilizers or pesticides so that transportation and restaurant options. The local parks were the natural soil microorganisms remain in balance and support soil only areas where the community could gather. function independently
Working with a small staff and a tight budget, the Conservancy n Fertilizing trees and shrubs with nutrient-rich compost “tea” decided that utilizing sustainable horticultural practices was the best created from materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, way to maintain these new parks. e.g. unsold grocery store produce and plant clippings from Battery Park City parks
n Carefully selecting plants for their ability to flourish in natural surroundings with little watering and maintenance
n Reusing water wherever possible
Drip irrigation was installed in all the parks and gardens to save precious water. Chemical pesticides were replaced with beneficial insects such as nematodes which, when introduced into the soil, eat plant killing bugs as part of their natural cycle. And chemical fertilizers were replaced by organic compost made from residential and commercial kitchen scraps.
This sustainable philosophy grew beyond horticulture to total operations. Garbage from street cans is separated and recycled. Employees ride bicycles around the property instead of using gas powered vehicles. Nontoxic paints are used for maintenance, and energy efficient lighting is installed throughout the property.
With such efficient parks, it made sense to take the next step.
Above: Lily Pond – Rockefeller Park Left: Applications of compost “tea” in Wagner Park gardens PAGE 11 CHAPTER 3 Going Green The concept of “green construction” isn’t new. For decades researchers have experimented with solar panels, water reclamation systems, recycled materials and other environmentally conscious products and practices. These efforts became the inspiration for the Authority’s creation and adoption of Environmental Guidelines for construction. When Battery Park City is complete it will contain more than five million square feet of sustainable construction – the largest green neighborhood in the world.
PAGE 12 For months, the team studied technologies, attended seminars and conferences, and interviewed leaders of the environmental Meeting – and exceeding the standards community. The resulting document was an in-depth, how-to book The first guidelines for new residential construction were issued that included explanations of each of the required green strategies, in 2000. As their mission statement made clear, they were designed the rationale behind each strategy, potential funding sources, “to establish a process that is for the creation of environmentally relationship to LEED where relevant, and the documentation responsible residential buildings that are appreciably ahead of current developers are required to submit to ensure they are in compliance standards and practices for development. The residential buildings with the guidelines. created by this effort will become the model for healthy, ecologically The Authority realized that the sustainability goals would be best responsible environments where occupants collectively enjoy the achieved by requiring compliance with each of the guidelines, rather benefits of living in a green community.” than presenting developers with a large number of strategies from which to choose. This simplified the design and bidding process for To develop the guidelines, the Authority brought the developers, eliminating guesswork and providing them with clear, together the best minds in the architectural, energy, definable criteria for participating in the Authority’s selection process. engineering, construction and government fields. The team identified design, construction and maintenance practices Today, the green guidelines are a key component in a developer’s to reduce or eliminate the negative impact traditional buildings have proposal to win the opportunity to build on one of the Authority’s on the environment. The team also wanted to leverage the resources sites. Proposals are rated according to three criteria – financial, and expertise of private developers to create a model of sustainability environmental and architectural. The developer with the best that could be studied and replicated anywhere else in the world. combination of the three criteria wins the bid. In this way, the general public could learn from the practices, The guidelines also helped nurture competition and innovation methodologies and successes of the private sector, something critical throughout the development community, allowing the Authority to the Authority’s mission. to consider and require stricter guidelines each time a site was released for development. Not only have developers kept up with the evolving standards, but they have used them as the starting points for competitions among themselves to see who could design and construct the greenest buildings.
With each new development site came a new version of the BPCA Environmental Residential Guidelines. Each incorporated all that was learned to create new, ever more stringent standards. PAGE 13 GREEN CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
The Solaire was the first project debris from parks and sidewalks, worked with tenants to rebuild constructed under BPCA’s green damaged buildings and worked with officials to return displaced guidelines. It is the first high-rise residents back to their homes. residential building in the nation Within months, Millennium Partners was able to resume construction to receive the USGBC’s LEED Gold on the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Towers, a project that had been near rating. Its developer, the Albanese completion at the time of the attacks. When it opened its doors in Organization, went on to build January of 2002, many saw it as a sign of Lower Manhattan’s recovery. two more green buildings in Battery Soon after, Albanese resumed construction of the Solaire. The Park City, each incorporating a longer community was well on its way to recovery. When the Authority issued list of environmentally friendly features. a Request for Proposals to develop Site 2A a year after the attack, Construction started on the Solaire in early 2001 but was developers were quick to respond. Millennium won the bid to create abruptly stopped on September 11, 2001 when, just across the the first green condominium building in Battery Park City without the street, the World Trade Center was attacked. Following the attack, benefit of government incentives. The apartments were completely many people assumed that further development in Battery Park sold before the building was finished. City would be delayed or deterred altogether. Financers of projects By that time, Battery Park City’s second green building, Tribeca Green, withdrew their money. built by the Related Companies, was well underway. It opened its doors The Authority knew that the only way to reestablish confidence in 2005. The Verdesian, Albanese’s second green building, opened in in their projects was by restoring the property. It quickly removed early 2006. The Riverhouse and Visionaire are well underway and soon two new green towers by Milstein Development Company will start
PAGE 14 to rise on Sites 23/24, adjacent to the ballfields in the north LEED EB (Existing Building). The 502,000-square-foot facility neighborhood of Battery Park City. built in 1997 was retrofitted to become environmentally sustain- able and was the first building in New York State to achieve a In 2002, the Authority issued green guidelines for commercial LEED EB status. The Authority is now finalizing its own guidelines and institutional development. Currently, there are three projects to convert existing residential buildings in Battery Park City into in various stages of development that will meet these guidelines. green buildings. Goldman Sachs is constructing a 2 million square foot world Battery Park City’s stature as a leader in sustainable design, headquarters that will achieve LEED Gold status. This building is construction and operation is a tribute to the environmental expected to be completed in 2010. The Authority is in design on commitment and imagination of the development community. two smaller projects, a 55,000 square foot community center and Though each developer incorporated unique features into their a 50,000 square foot maintenance facility for its Parks Conser- buildings to help win the opportunity to develop in Battery Park vancy which will both attain LEED Platinum status. City, the green guidelines that developers follow assured – and In 2007, the New York Mercantile Exchange building (NYMEX) continue to assure – that the resulting buildings meet the full was certified by the United States Green Building Council as a range of environmental goals, often in highly innovative ways. the apartments were completely sold before the
Left to Right: Model of the Verdesian; Tribeca Green in construction; Ice Wall of Teardrop Park; Teardrop Park; building was finished Interior of the Solaire
PAGE 15 CHAPTER 4 Energy Energy Efficiency More than 65% of the electricity consumed by buildings in the United States is used for the operation of heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems. In cities the size of New York City, that number jumps to 95%. HVAC systems in New York City buildings
are responsible for 79% of CO2 emissions.
PAGE 16 The most recent version of Battery Park City Authority’s guidelines requires that new buildings achieve 30% higher energy efficiency than that which is required by New York State code. Developers regularly exceed these guidelines and one building is on target to reach efficiencies of 35% over code requirements.
At the peak energy periods of a day in summer, many of the green buildings save even more. The Solaire, for example, saves 67% energy during peak summer days.
Energy modeling is required to determine which strategies will Sunlight is converted into electricity via photovoltaic cells, providing 5% of each new be most effective for reaching these energy efficiencies. Designers residential building’s common load use the DOE 2.2 model, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy to evaluate each individual strategy. The newest green Developers have also investigated using wind power in Battery Park City. buildings in Battery Park City will be required to submit annual Unfortunately, given the wind speeds at the site and the life cycle costs of the building energy reports to determine how well they meet the current generation of wind turbines, the power generated would cost about goals set forth in the DOE-2 analysis. four times that of a photovoltaic system.
Electricity from renewable sources While wind power isn’t practical in Battery Park City, there are ways it can Battery Park City’s green guidelines also require that buildings be used to achieve LEED credits for buildings located there. When NYMEX use on-site renewable methods to generate 5% of their base retrofitted its building to be green, it purchased renewable energy credits to electrical loads. To meet this requirement, all green residential cover the electricity needs of its entire building using wind energy generated buildings in Battery Park City use photovoltaic panels, which elsewhere. At the time the purchase was made, it represented the largest generate power from sunlight. In one of these buildings, panels purchase of these credits for a single building in New York City. will maximize the power produced by tracking the path of the Newer green buildings in Battery Park City employ cogeneration equipment. sun. By doing this, the system will be 5-10% more efficient than These microturbines and a planned fuel cell use natural gas to create standard photovoltaics. electricity within the building thereby minimizing energy loss that is usual when bringing electricity in from an electric plant. The equipment emits
significantly less CO2, NOX and SOX. As an added bonus, the heat from these systems will be used to create hot water for the building.
PAGE 17 Buildings can also be designed to save considerable amounts of energy Lighting is another major area of energy conservation in Battery Park by minimizing air transfer through walls, windows, roofs or the City buildings. New, high-efficiency lighting controls and fixtures envelope of the building. The envelope of the Solaire was first mocked can be 70% more efficient than those in a standard code-compliant up in a laboratory in order to find the best ways to limit air infiltration, building. The green guidelines mandate the use of compact fluores- so the developer wouldn’t incur extra energy costs for heating and cent lamps in apartments and elsewhere in the buildings. This alone cooling. Today, more effective insulation, extra care in sealing and is estimated to reduce overall energy consumption by 10%. caulking, high-performance glass, and rooftop gardens are all helping Motion sensor lighting controls, installed in common areas such to reduce unwanted heat gain or loss throughout the buildings. as stairwells, corridors and mechanical rooms, add to the savings. To reduce energy consumption without sacrificing comfort, basic Between midnight and 6:00 a.m., corridors are set to use only the decisions can yield tremendous savings both on and off-site. For minimum lighting required by code unless they are occupied. example, gas-fired absorption chillers used in air conditioning systems Then the light adjusts accordingly. These sensors have been shown at Battery Park City achieve very high levels of efficiency. They use to reduce the building’s energy consumption by 4% overall. natural gas instead of electricity. During peak use, these buildings don’t add to the region’s electrical load, thus lowering the risk of blackouts and reducing the need to use older, inefficient generating Building Efficiency plants, which are commonly started only to meet peak demands.
Aligning output with demand n Insulation Designers achieved further efficiencies by carefully matching systems n Windows sealed on both interior and equipment to exact building demands – a move that trimmed and exterior sides
$140,000 from the annual energy bill for one building. Pumps, motors n Continuous vapor barrier sealed floor, and fans equipped with variable speed controls help assure that machinery ceiling, and windows
doesn’t work harder than necessary to achieve its task. Carbon monox- n Block sealed to ide sensors installed in apartments can sense the number of people in structure a room, and then adjust the amount of air exchanges accordingly. n Flashing attached to continuous metal closure sealant To conserve even more energy, some buildings in Battery Park City employ enthalpy wheels. These devices extract heat from air being vented outside and use it to preheat or precool incoming air.
Building façade of the Solaire was mocked-up and tested in a laboratory to ensure PAGE 18 that the construction detailing was optimal to minimize heat loss and heat gain 70% more efficient than those in a standard code-compliant building
Additional savings come from master switches by the front door of apartments that make it easy for residents to turn off all unnecessary lights and outlets when leaving the house.
Another key energy saving feature of green buildings is “daylighting” – the use of controlled natural light to illuminate indoor spaces. Daylighting requirements include higher ceilings which let more sunlight into apartments. Additional energy is saved with controls that automatically dim electric lights when there’s enough natural light to illuminate a space.
To further reduce consumption, Battery Park City’s green guide- lines require the use of “Energy Star” appliances, thermostats and computers in each apartment. While not mandated, some buildings are installing exhaustless electric laundry dryers that use condensa- tion to extract and discharge moisture, then reuse the heat to finish the drying cycle. These dryers have the added benefit of eliminating the need for ducts and 24-hour a day exhaust fans throughout the building, resulting in enormous energy savings. By eliminating the need for extensive ductwork, the dryers also save space which is critical in any high-rise, urban building.
Heliostats are giant mirrors that capture sunlight. Three have been placed on the roof of the Verdesian to direct reflected light into a nearby public plaza that, like many urban spaces, has been shaded by adjacent buildings. PAGE 19 CHAPTER 5 Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health. It’s been estimated that unhealthy air is found in up to 30% of new and renovated buildings. According to the EPA, indoor pollution can cause headaches, sore throats, sleepiness, lethargy, dizziness, asthma and other health hazards. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that five million children now suffer from asthma. Deaths from the disease rose an incredible 78% from 1980 to 1993.
PAGE 20 The Authority’s requirement for the treatment of air within the buildings is probably what apartment dwellers care about most. Air filtration makes interior spaces significantly more comfortable, and also creates a healthier environment. Anecdotal information indicates that there are fewer asthma and other air-related illnesses in buildings that have met environmental guidelines than those that have not.
Under the green guidelines, air filtration systems must capture During construction, all ductwork must be kept covered, and 85% of particulates. Air is filtered both as it enters the buildings before a building can be occupied the ductwork must be thoroughly and as it moves throughout apartments. In addition, indoor air is flushed out. Walk-off grates, required at building entrances, capture required to be humidified during cold weather and dehumidified dirt from shoes before it is tracked inside. This also extends the life during warm weather. To control airborne particulates and con- of the lobby floors. taminants, the green guidelines require the tight sealing of building Toxic gases minimized façades to prevent unfiltered air from leaking into the building. Another frequent source of indoor air pollution is toxic gases released by many common products and materials, such as insulation, paints, adhesives and carpeting. These gases, known as volatile organic com- pounds (VOC’s), can pollute the air long after the offending materials have been installed through a process called off-gassing. Battery Park City’s green guidelines call for the reduction and/or elimination of the use of all products containing toxic chemicals or irritants. For example, only the use of building insulation that is free of the potentially hazardous urea-formaldehyde binders commonly found in those pro- ducts is permitted inside the building. The guidelines also put restrictions on the use of paints, adhesives and carpets that emit harm- ful VOC’s. This requirement led to several manufacturers developing new, conforming products for Battery Park City contractors and the general marketplace.
All air entering each building is filtered at the point of entry. The air is then tempered and humidified or dehumidified before entering each apartment, where it is filtered again PAGE 21 CHAPTER 6 Water Conservation According to the United Nations, worldwide demand for water is doubling every 21 years. Given that only 1% of all water in the world is safe to drink, it is clear why government leaders, environmentalists and those in the water business all agree on one thing - high costs will force the nation’s water delivery system to change radically. People will be asked to pay more and use less.
Rainwater collection tank in the Millennium Tower
PAGE 22
UV * Disinfection
The water conservation requirement in Battery Park City’s green guidelines have resulted in buildings that use up to 50% less potable water than standard buildings. This is accomplished by installing water reclamation systems that collect, treat and reuse all water used within the buildings – including “blackwater” from toilets and garbage disposals. The water is treated in a miniature Collection Anoxic Aerobic Filtration Ozone Storage wastewater treatment plant located in the basement of these Tank/ Chamber Chamber Treatment Tanks Trash Trap buildings, which uses biological methods to break down and clean the waste particles. Water reclamation plants in the base of each building use biological processes, ultraviolet light and ozone Wastewater first enters a collection tank and trash trap to remove to clean water for reuse plastics and other solids. From there, it flows into a two-chamber tank where highly active bacteria consume and digest the bio- Pumps then draw the chamber output through spaghetti-like filtration degradable waste. Different types of bacteria with appetites for membranes that filter the water using an osmotic process similar in different materials live in each chamber. method to the way membranes function in living organisms. Next, an ultraviolet disinfection system kills any remaining pathogens, and an ozone generator removes any traces of color. The treated water then flows to storage tanks, ready for use in flushing toilets and replenishing the cooling towers. In the Solaire, the finished water serves an additional purpose. It is brought through another filter to remove salts and is then used for drip-irrigation at the adjacent Teardrop Park. The Solaire shares its wastewater treatment system with an adjacent building, the Verdesian, which cut costs of construction and operation in half. In the Riverhouse, the reclaimed water will be used for the central laundry machines. This will be a first in New York City.
cut costs of construction and operation in half
PAGE 23 Stormwater system
Controls to water reclamation plant at the Solaire
Fixtures conserve even more Some of the buildings use low-flow fixtures, faucets and showerheads to meet the requirements contained in the guidelines. Two buildings will use dual-flush toilets to reduce water consumption. These toilets adjust water flow depending on need. Waterless urinals have been installed in public restrooms in Battery Park City as a means to reduce water use. NYMEX reduced water usage by 22.7% by replacing their old plumbing fixtures with high-efficiency fixtures, including those with hands-free controls.
Even the rainwater streaming from roofs is utilized. It is collected, minimally filtered, and stored in tanks for irrigation and maintenance use. In Teardrop Park, a large underground pipe has been installed to capture rainwater, which is then reused. Reclaimed water system
Water from the roofs is collected, cleaned and stored in the basement. It is reused for green roof irrigation. Reclaimed waste water is used for flushing and air conditioning.
PAGE 24 Above: Dual flush toilets in Riverhouse allow different amounts of water to be selected. Right: Waterless urinals in the public restrooms of Teardrop Park. Recycle water & tap savings By CARRIE MELAGO Stormwater has also taken on another use. Originally, reclaimed DAILY NEWS WRITER blackwater was used in a building’s cooling towers, but it was found Saving water can save you cash. “We would anticipate people who participate Under the city’s new Comprehensive Water Re-Use would be instances of new construction or renova- that the level of salts in the reclaimed water was high enough to form Program, property owners who install equipment tion,” Michaels said. “If we can make it worth it to buildup in the pipes. Engineers have learned from this and newer that recycles their used water will see their water developers, in the long run, we’ll benefit very much rate reduce by 25%. from that.” systems now add in rainwater to dilute the salt levels. The program, which mainly targets developers who There is only one building in the city that meets are building or retrofitting structures, is a city first. the standards—the Solaire, a 27-story, 293-unit luxury Water conservation measures dramatically reduce the amount of “This is the first time the Water Board has ever residential tower at 20 River Terrace in Manhattan. potable water that is taken from New York City’s water supply and approved a proposal to charge a different rate as an The high-rise is marketing itself as the nation’s first incentive,” said Ian Michaels, a spokesman for the “environmentally advanced residential tower.” also minimizes the use of energy to pump wastewater and stormwater Department of Environmental Protection. The city’s current water rate is $1.52 per 100 cubic to a municipal treatment facility. Equally as important, these conserva- Under the program, buildings must have an on- feet, or 748 gallons. site treatment system that captures wastewater and “By recycling used water onsite for nonpotable tion measures help prevent overflows that routinely send raw sewage recycles it for use in toilets and other areas that do uses, the city can save on water delivery, maintenance directly into the city’s waterways and streets during storms. Recognizing not require high-quality drinking water. and sewage treatment costs,” said DEP Commis- The buildings also must have separate systems to sioner Christopher Ward. “But more importantly, the benefits of these practices, New York City now offers a 25% store and treat rain runoff for nonpotable uses, as we’ll drive down the total amount of water used in reduction in water bills for any developer equipping a building with a well as master water meters for the buildings and the city every day.” graywater/blackwater reclamation system. individual meters for tenants. In addition, property owners must install low-flow fixtures throughout For more information, visit the DEP Web site: the properties. www.nyc.gov/dep
PAGE 25 CHAPTER 7 Materials and Recycling In the United States, building construction consumes more material than any other single activity. Globally, it accounts for 40% of the raw materials used, which makes the sourcing, use and disposal of materials a core issue in sustainable design.
PAGE 26 All aspects of a product and its use need to be addressed to determine its “embodied energy,” or the total amount of energy associated with the product over its life. Considerations include raw Clever design can go a long way in reducing a project’s use of materials. material sources and acquisition, recycled content, manufacturing, The Solaire, for instance, was originally intended to have a water reclamation transportation, installation techniques, waste management, the system that would treat blackwater in tanks installed in its basement. Then potential for reuse, and disposal costs. the design team realized that three walls of the foundation, along with part of its basement floor, could do double duty by serving as components of the Evaluating these factors often shows that treatment tanks thereby eliminating the need to higher acquisition and other costs can be design, purchase and install separate tanks. The offset by the economic benefit of greater resulting tanks would be considerably larger than durability, even before the more global costs originally envisioned – so big in fact, that they could of a product are factored in. These advantages also handle blackwater from a neighboring building. can lead to broader demand for a product, This reduced overall material and labor costs, increased manufacturing levels and better producing greater operating efficiencies as well. economies in producing the product – which can result in lower prices. Durability is another factor incorporated into the guidelines. For example, ultraviolet light falling on the membranes of a typical roof limits its life to approximately 25 years. Green roofs can last much longer – sometimes twice as long because their soil and plantings protect the roofing materials from ultraviolet light. That is one of the many reasons why the guidelines mandate that 75% of the roof areas not devoted to mechanical systems must be planted.
Left: Wallcovering at the Solaire, made from honeysuckle vines. reduced overall material and labor costs PAGE 27 The Authority’s guidelines also call for the use of “rapidly renewable mentally responsible practices for growing and cutting the timber. materials,” which is defined as materials that can be grown or While early versions of the guidelines did not require that wood be naturally replenished in less than 10 years. Examples of these materials certified, later versions include requirements that 35% of wood be in use in Battery Park City include: certified by one of these organizations. n Honeysuckle vine and grass (wallpaper) Sustainability is also influenced by the point of origin of a building’s n Cork (flooring and wall coverings) construction materials. Initially, the guidelines mandated that 40% n Denim/Cotton (insulation) of material had to be manufactured within a 500-mile radius of n Bamboo (flooring) Battery Park City in order to minimize energy use and pollution n Wheat board (cabinet cores) associated with trans-porting the material to the site. This requirement was later increased to 50% and broadened to include manufacturing, The guidelines also require that specified portions of any hardwoods as well as extracting and processing. A caveat was also added to used in the buildings must be certified by the Forest Stewardship encourage the efficiencies of rail and water transport. Materials could Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) or Green Tag be shipped from as far away as 1,000 miles if shipped by rail or water. Forestry, as having been harvested in forests that adhere to environ- Cabinets at the Solaire are FSC certified to ensure the wood is harvested sustainably.
Cork flooring is a rapidly renewable material, made of the bark of cork oak trees, that can be regenerated in less than 10 years. PAGE 28 guidelines also call for the use of “rapidly renewable and recycled materials”
The green guidelines require that buildings contain a certain n Fly ash (concrete) percentage of products with recycled content – the latest version n Sawdust (moldings and shelving) of the guidelines indicates that at least 12% of the total value of n Computer chips (photovoltaic panels) the materials in the project, excluding mechanical, electrical and n Plastic (roof retaining walls) plumbing, include post-consumer and pre-consumer recycled n Glass (terrazzo flooring) content. Recycled content includes: n Gypsum (sheetrock and carpeting) n Shopping bags/tires (flooring) n Bamboo (flooring) n Honeysuckle vine (wallpaper)
PAGE 29 While searching for products and materials with enough recycled devote one week per month to the manufacture of acceptable MDF, content to meet the guidelines, the developers and contractors often a move which resulted in lower prices. found that these goods cost more than those without recycled content. One of the challenges in sourcing material in sustainable construction This was often caused by inefficiencies in the production processes is verifying the authenticity of claims and setting quality standards in an and the fact that these products had never been needed in mass industry that is relatively new and rapidly changing. The Authority relies quantity before. on standards and criteria developed by leading organizations that test In response, some manufacturers willingly changed their operations or certify products, such as Green Seal, Forest Stewardship Council, to bring down the prices. For example, the guidelines called for the use of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) that had 100% recycled content and was free of urea-formaldehyde. To participate in the project, one manufacturer agreed to retool a plant so the facility could
Compact flourescent lamps
FSC wood used in kitchen cabinets
Low VOC-base paint and glue
Energy Star® appliances
Durable granite countertops
Non-toxic base and recycled rugs and furniture PAGE 30 Photovoltaics at the Solaire are building integrated. They are also a recycled material – made from rejected computer chips.
Carpet & Rug Institute, Green Label Indoor Air Quality Test Program, Certified Forest Products Council and Scientific Certification Systems.
Construction projects on the scale of those in Battery Park City can generate enormous quantities of waste. The green guidelines require that 80% of construction waste be recycled following strict environmental guidelines.
Waste streams each occupied buildings have also been reduced.
For example, each apartment has a garbage disposal in the Waste is separated and recycled in each building. Over 80% of construction waste is also separated kitchen sink so that the refuse can be treated onsite in the and recycled for each building. graywater/blackwater reclamation systems; instead of being hauled away in trucks to be dumped in landfills.
There are many ways that businesses based in Battery Park City have embraced recycling. They use recycled papers for copiers and printers, and in lavatories. They’ve introduced recycling programs for light bulbs and batteries. Some even collect organic kitchen waste from dining facilities and sell it to a composting facility.
PAGE 31 CHAPTER 8 Commissioning and Education For a building to be truly green, diverse systems must interact and work in harmony, which makes commissioning especially critical. Battery Park City’s green guidelines require that all buildings undergo a comprehensive commissioning process that results in documented verification that all systems perform individually and together according to the intent of the design and the operational requirements.
PAGE 32 from the manufacturer certifying where and how the raw materials were extracted, and how previously used material had been reprocessed.
Fostering understanding Commissioning is done in order to test and calibrate building At first obtaining this information proved to be difficult. Many of systems to be certain they can be operated as designed. It those responsible for getting the necessary documentation had yet to involves everything from the review of construction docu- learn the terminology of green construction. To avoid these problems, ments to the review of contractor submittals and installation. regular meetings were held to educate contractors and subcontractors about exactly what the documentation requirements meant. Most importantly, it involves vigilant, on-site inspections of installed mechanical systems. All this is based on a detailed Manufacturers benefited from the education too. In one case, the commissioning plan which sets the standards for the work education extended from contractor to subcontractor, to the vendor, to that will be done. the wholesaler, to the manufacturer’s sales representative, and eventu- ally to the manufacturer’s staff metallurgist. All parties learned how to When green construction was in its infancy, the project’s substantiate product claims and requirements – producing invaluable early developers often had trouble finding suitable documen- knowledge for the coming age of green construction. Some of those tation for products that appeared to meet the project involved in the initial education process have even become members of requirements for sustainability. To work around this issue the USGBC. without sacrificing safety or quality, the Authority came up with an imaginative solution. The success of the construction phase also depends on the education and cooperation of all parties involved. For Battery Park City, project If at least three manufacturers could supply a product with a managers were intricately involved in supervising the process and particular desired attribute, or if the attribute were a require- bringing about team resolution of the inevitable issues that came up ment of the various sustainable building programs, then the with such a pioneering project. For example, the indoor air quality attribute was listed as a requirement. If fewer than three management plan called for covering air outlets during construction, a manufacturers could produce the product or it was not a responsibility that the owner, sheet metal contractor and painting requirement, the attribute was listed as a preference. This flex- contractor agreed to share. ible approach helped foster innovation and competition, in the pricing of the products and materials that were used. By all accounts, commissioning and education has resulted in reduced energy consumption, fewer callbacks, longer-term tenant satisfaction, Each material submission had to be accompanied by an reduced equipment replacement costs and solid profit margins for environmental submission. Depending on the material type, building owners on all green building projects in Battery Park City. various submission documents were required. Products claiming recycled content had to be submitted with a letter
PAGE 33 CHAPTER 9 Green Roofs Planted roof gardens, or green roofs, deserve their own category in green building strategies because their benefits transcend all the usual environmental categories.
PAGE 34 In Battery Park City, buildings are required to plant 75% of become even greater as moisture is released by evaporation into the non-mechanical area of the roofs. When all the buildings the surrounding atmosphere. The effect is further enhanced are completed, there will be 2 acres of planted rooftops. when the leaves cool down at night. Pollutants caught in the Some of the benefits of green roofs include: leaves and roots of plants are broken down into acceptable components by the action of microorganisms in the soil. At the Energy same time, residents enjoy the plantings and beautiful views, n With black tar roofs constantly exposed to the sun, typical while birds use the trees and gardens as rest stops during their big city residential high-rises soak up great amounts of heat, migrations along the Hudson River flyway. increasing temperatures both day and night as that stored Materials Conservation heat is slowly released after sunset. n A typical roof membrane has a life expectancy of approximately n The term “heat island” refers to urban air and surface tempera- 25 years. Green roofs have been found to greatly increase this tures that are higher than nearby rural areas. According to the period, sometimes even doubling the period of time because the EPA, “many U.S. cities and suburbs have air temperatures up roof is protected from degradation from ultraviolet light. to 10° Fahrenheit (5.6°C) warmer than the surrounding natural land cover. Water n According to recent studies, ambient temperatures in big cities n In New York City and many other large cities, rainwater is collected have risen 2-8° Fahrenheit since the early 1940s. Hotter cities in the same pipes as sewage and sent together to the municipal require more power for cooling. This temperature spike has added wastewater plant for cleaning. In many cities, the sewer system approximately $40 billion per year to power costs. cannot handle large amounts of rain. In fact, in New York City, n A 2003 study in Chicago showed that green roof temperatures according to Lesley Hoffman of Earth Pledge, a rain falling 1 were 19-31% cooler during peak daytime hours in July compared steadily at a rate of little over /4 inch per hour causes hundreds of with those on a conventional roof. combined sewer overflows, resulting in 40 million gallons a year of raw sewage pouring into the waterways around New York City. Air Quality This is the largest single source of pathogens to the New York/New n Since ozone formation increases significantly at higher ambient Jersey Harbor. temperatures, big cities usually have more smog. n Green roofs have the capacity to collect and hold water so that it n Green roofs provide shade while absorbing carbon dioxide and doesn’t flow too quickly into the sewer system. In the Solaire, for generating oxygen. The shade of a single tree can lower the example, a 10,000 gallon tank holds the rain as it slowly makes temperature below it by 3 or 4° Fahrenheit. This cooling can its way through the soil of the roof.
n Water collected from roofs can be put to good use. In Battery The roof of the Verdesian is open to all tenants while simultaneously providing a place for birds, butterflies and microorganisms. It also cools the building, help- Park City it has been used for irrigation, maintenance and cooling ing to minimize the heat island effect of urban buildings. tower make up. PAGE 35 CHAPTER 10 Sustainability’s Economic Success Battery Park City Authority developed its green guidelines to demonstrate to the world that green high-rise buildings could be built and be profitable as well.
PAGE 36 The Solaire (center) and Riverhouse rising to its right
added value is reflected in
Though green construction may cost more at the outset, long-term high occupancy efficiency and performance yields savings over time. The use of quality materials and computer technology to track system operations results in Figures on the revenue side of the balance sheet are favorable fewer and less costly repairs. Reduction of energy consumption means as well. Developers find that the occupants of green buildings lower electric bills. And, because these buildings use fewer natural recognize the many benefits of living and working in them, such resources overall, they will have a positive impact on global reserves. as utility bills that are half that of nongreen apartments, as well as fewer illnesses and visits to the doctor. The added value is reflected Also, these units are highly marketable due to their energy efficiencies in high occupancy rates as well as rents and sale prices that average and health benefits, which usually means that higher rents or sales 4-5% above those for comparable but conventionally constructed prices can be obtained. buildings. Some Battery Park City tenants are paying rents The Sustainable Building Task Force, a group from 5-10% higher than those for comparably sized apartments composed of 40 state agencies in California, in nearby, non-green buildings. studied the economics of 33 completed green buildings. It found that though constructing a green building costs an average of nearly 2% more – about $3 to $5 more a square foot than a conventional building, the green building can be expected to yield savings of more than 10 times the initial investment, or $50 to $75 a square foot during its lifetime.
Energy efficiency measures in buildings following BPCA Green Guidelines regularly cut 65% of the electric use at times of peak demand. PAGE 37 CHAPTER 11 A Marketplace Transformed In 2000, when the Battery Park City Authority began developing its green guidelines, the field of sustainable building design and construction was very young. Authority officials hoped that the methods and materials pioneered through the implementation of the green guidelines would find global applications as more and more projects turned to green construction techniques.
PAGE 38 Battery Park City’s developers were quick to respond to the opportunity to move to the forefront of sustainable construction. To get the products they needed, developers often New vendors found went directly to the top executives of At first, no cabinet vendor in the highrise market- the manufacturing company to outline place could be found with experience supplying the opportunities available in what was environmentally friendly cabinets. The developer’s becoming a rapidly emerging market- solution was to work with a vendor who would place. By doing so, developers gained put them in direct touch with the principals of the commitment of the manufacturing manufacturers of cabinets and the necessary community to devote time and resources formaldehyde-free wood composite board. After to providing the many innovations that several months of discussions and collaborations, would be necessary. a solution was found that met the requirements of the guidelines for only a small increase in cost.
Another strategy to reach into the upper echelons of manufacturing companies was to engage their executives at trade shows and conferences. At events such as Greenbuild, sponsored by the US Green Building Council, and the National Association of Home Builders International Builders’ Show, developers pitched the project and its opportunities to the leaders of the industry.
One developer met an executive of a large appliance manufacturing company at a trade show. He told the executive about his sustainable building and immediately the man recognized the opportunities the project presented. He worked out an agreement to provide Energy Star-rated appliances to the developer at no cost penalty over unrated appliances. By doing this, the manufacturer gained invaluable knowledge, experience and exposure in serving the growing market for environmentally designed products.
PAGE 39 conserve natural resources and support healthier living
Smaller companies recognized the opportunities too. One building’s Opportunities emerge developer contacted a local concrete products company to see if it Simply by searching for green products, Battery Park City’s develop- could incorporate recycled content into its concrete masonry units. ers and contractors have helped to open new markets. One procure- With the entire façade of the high-rise building designed to be ment team faced the tough task of finding wood doors that were free constructed out of masonry units, the manager knew this job could from added urea-formaldehyde, a requirement of both BPCA and be profitable. Within a day he had uncovered information from an the NYS program that provides tax credits for green construction. At obscure project which had used just such a material. He took the time nearly the last minute they found doors to meet the specification. from his busy schedule to prepare all of the necessary certifications Months later, several manufacturers contacted the developer to find and product data. He got the sale and the masonry units had a major out why they had not received the order. Concerned about letting impact on the building being able to meet its goal for recycled content. future opportunities slip by, they requested meetings to learn more about the developing market for green construction and how they could tap into it. Over time, and with the example of Battery Park City and other sustainable projects in front of them, more and more manufacturers can be expected to develop products, materials and technologies to meet the growing demand.
Today, the green marketplace is larger than ever before. The Authority’s guidelines, coupled with presentations made around the world to explain and promote sustainable development, have greatly helped to nurture the market for products that conserve natural resources and support healthier living. The transformation that has taken place has been a driving force in making developers, realtors, government officials and the general public around the world adopt and promote sustainability in all its forms.
PAGE 40 PAGE 41 CHAPTER 12 The Buildings Each of these buildings in Battery Park City has met or exceeded the green guidelines. Each has unique features, as indicated on the following pages.
PAGE 42 New Residential Solaire – Albanese Organization Verdesian – Albanese Organization As the first green residential high-rise building, n LEED Platinum
it was the one to break all standards for building. n Reclaimed water tied in to the blackwater treatment Materials that architects regularly inserted as a plant of the Solaire to create one larger, more matter of course into their design documents were efficient system
reevaluated. Even mundane things, such as interior n FSC certified flooring throughout the building doors came under the microscope. In one instance, n Enthalpy wheel – this technology exchanges heat when the developer realized that the distributor had and humidity from one stream of air into another misrepresented his product as meeting the guide- thus salvaging useful energy and transferring it lines, the job was put on hold until another distribu- to incoming airstream rather than releasing back tor who could fill the order properly was located. into the atmosphere. Captured air is used for air n LEED Gold heating and cooling.
n Photovoltaics integrated into the façade of the building, saving cost by n Heliostats – mirrors that reflect sunlight into a nearby, shady public plaza replacing high-cost windows and materials throughout the day n Materials Honeysuckle vine wall coverings Millennium Tower Residences – Millennium Partners Cork wall coverings and flooring n LEED Gold
Bamboo flooring n Green Roof – in both private and public areas
n Special detailing to ensure the façade is well protected from heat loss n First Battery Park City green condominium and gain – extensive sealing of each material that makes up the building’s n All FSC certified flooring exterior walls n Working with a major manufacturer, created n Extensive green roofs beyond the area required by the Authority’s guidelines cabinetry that was fully free of urea-formaldehyde n Gas fired absorption chillers that use natural gas instead of electricity n Microturbine for heating and cooling
n Forest Steward Council (FSC) certified kitchen cabinets that ensure the Riverhouse – Sheldrake Organization wood came from trees grown using sustainable practices n LEED Gold n Photovoltaics that track the sun throughout the day Tribeca Green – Related Companies n Use of reclaimed blackwater for central laundry n LEED Gold n Double wall construction for portions of the building n Heat Pumps with Reheat Coils – a heating system n Geothermal wells to provide energy for portions of that reuses more of the heat created by a building the building n Microturbine – cogeneration that uses natural gas to create electricity and uses the heat created by the process to heat hot water in the building. n Integrating rainwater into reclaimed blackwater to dilute salt build-up in air conditioning equipment
PAGE 43 New Commercial Goldman Sachs Headquarters
n LEED Gold
n Expected to be one of the largest commercial office buildings in the country to achieve such a high rating for whole building construction. Visionaire – Albanese Organization n Energy consumption of approximately n LEED Platinum 25% below NYS Energy Code n Humidified/Filtered Air to living rooms and n Annual energy use savings of 6,575,756 kWh bedrooms rather than to one point in apartment n Water Savings of 11 million gallons annually n Rain screen façade which provides additional n Ice Storage Plant – used to make ice in the evening for use in cooling insulation to save on heating and cooling during daytime n 35% Energy Efficiency over 2002 code – exceeding n Underfloor air distribution system the Authority’s highest efficiency requirements by n Occupancy light sensors, daylight harvesting and daylighting controls an additional 5% throughout n On demand ventilation to cut energy usage n Steam condensate reclamation n LEED Platinum facility for park’s maintenance in its base which includes n FSC wood for construction and building finishes housing for electric vehicles, and composting facilities and geothermal wells for heating and cooling Existing Commercial n Thermal recovery using enthalpy wheel New York Mercantile Exchange n Automated interior shades n LEED EB (Existing Building) Certified
n The first in New York City and New York State to Site 23/24 achieve a LEED EB rating. It accomplished this by n LEED Gold incorporating many green features into its opera- n Requirement for LEED EB tions and maintenance procedures. They include: certification every 5 years Annual $285,000 energy savings with new n Thermal recovery using equipment and equipment controls heat pipe New sensors to eliminate unnecessary n LEED Platinum community air exchanges
center in base Elimination of mercury in lighting
n Salt water pool Composting of food waste in cafeteria/dining room
Use of green cleaning and paper supplies
Purchase of renewable green power
Existing Residential The Authority has created guidelines for the green retrofitting of existing buildings. These buildings will also be encouraged to attain a LEED EB rating.
PAGE 44 Acknowledgements
By combining their imagination and creativity with the techniques There were so many people involved in the evolution of Battery Park and technologies described in the Battery Park City Environmental City’s green guidelines and the pioneering buildings that emerged from Guidelines, developers, architects, engineers, landscape architects, them, that it would be impossible to list them all here. Every day, more contractors, laborers and manufacturers have changed the way individuals and organizations add to Battery Park City’s achievements. we approach construction today. Likewise, the residents of green With the recognition then that no list of contributors to the project can buildings have impacted the industry by requesting healthier, more ever be complete, we recognize everyone who had a hand in taking sustainable places to live. Battery Park City to the heights of environmental responsibility, stewardship and sustainability. With more green apartments and commercial spaces being built, people around the globe are beginning to think about the way buildings impact the environment.
One World Financial Center, New York, NY 10281-1097 Battery Parks City Conservancy, 2 South End Avenue, New York, NY 10280 www.batteryparkcity.org www.bpcparks.org
© 2008 Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority Photography: Henry Davis, Wellington Lee, Robin Holland, Stan Ries. One World Financial Center, New York, NY 10281-1097 www.batteryparkcity.org