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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.
Citation
Pfeiffer, P. L.; Miller, B. (2000). A Sustainable Medical Center in Texas. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6819.