A Sustainable Medical Center in Texas

Abstract

The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate how one can successfully integrate many sustainable features into the construction and operation of a mid-sized medical clinic located in the hot/humid piney woods of east Texas for a moderate increase over ''normal" construction costs. Furthermore, the authors will point out that the application of "solar" design principals should entail more than the installation of solar collectors on a rooftop. The consuming public is sophisticated enough to see beyond the obvious, and perhaps dated, applications of solar design strategies - and welcomes the comfort and aesthetics that go along with an integrated approach to "Green" building. The subject project, known as "The Texas Specialist Center", has enjoyed the predicted energy and green building results. It is a 6300 square foot stand alone clinic located in Lufkin, Texas for a client with multiple chemical sensitivities. "Green" features include passive solar design for heating and cooling, enhanced natural ventilation (including the use of natural ''thermal siphons" within the building), "cool communities" site planning (to reduce the urban 'heat island" effect), extensive use of daylighting and energy-efficient artificial lighting, photo-voltaics to provide security system & computer operations back-up, careful attention to material selections for low toxicity & high indoor air quality, use of regionally appropriate building materials and systems, an extensive rainwater collection system, as well as ''xeriscape" landscaping principals. It was constructed in 1996 and has been under full operation for more than three years. Actual energy consumption data will be presented and the above "Green" design strategies will be elaborated upon.