Today we are spreading our wings and thinking globally, but acting locally in providing solutions to issues related to earth, wind and fire.
No business runs on empty for very long and we are making it no secret that we are a for-profit organization instead of a not-for-profit group. We want to be sustainable for the long-run too and not be reliant upon grant monies or tied strickly to government projects.
As a consultancy, we can provide access to materials, training and resources needed to help in making our community and region both sustainable and self-sufficient.
Planning for the Future
The Holding Company
The 3-Rivers Synergy Centre is owned and operated under the holding company of MPN, LLC based in Richland, WA, USA.
With proper planning and funding, we would like to establish a Green showplace facility from which to use as a base of operations.
The “dream facility” will be a showplace LEEDs-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) campus using LEED-inspired materials. We are seeking Platinum status.
Specifications and Requirements
The color theme will be gold (Sun) and green (Earth).
The building will be a “Class A” (most desired lease) 5-story facility from a below-ground level to a roof-top penthouse suite.
We will have internal warehousing that uses solar defusion lighting sources.
Stairwells and Elevator Systems
At least one glass stairwell will be placed around a glassed-in elevator for access between all floors.
Service elevators and Emergency stairwells will be strategically provided.
Wall Construction
The walls would be created with “Green” construction concrete “sandwich” materials and use the solar panel technology to integrate with the geothermal underground HVAC system.
The 3-story Solarium will wrap around the East, West and South sun-facing parts of the building and will be constructed of photovoltaic glass systems. (Perhaps the DuPont SentryGlas Plus can be made Photovoltaic) and we will use the solar sterling system from Infinia Corporation.
LEED
The facility will take advantage of the Renewable Energy Certificate process by creating more power than it uses and selling those certificates to such organizations as the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.
Depending on how much energy is used within this facility, we might even be able to participate in generating Renewable Energy Certificates! In fact, count on it.
Power Systems
Wind power systems will be displayed outside and integrated with the facility.
The building will be tied to the grid, but will be self-sustaining through various alternative energy resources when power becomes an issue with the grid.
We will be using Combined Heat and Power Systems and Clean Power from Infinia.
Alternative Energy Transportation
Services
Biofuels would be made available for sale as well, using above-ground tanks provided through Connell Oil.
A Charging Station will also be made available for all-electrics.
An eco-friendly mass-transit shelter will be provided on the property.
ADA
The facility will comply with all ADA requirements for access on each floor.
Security and Communications Centre
The facility will be using fiber-optic technologies for communications internally and with the outside world. Internet Telephony systems will be used for both voice and video.
The Communications and Security Centre in the below-ground level will house the security monitoring systems along with the server farm and network communications and main entrance backboard and racks for the facility.
It will also contain the building monitoring systems for fire prevention.
Each communications wallplate for the facility will have connectivity for phone, data and video.
Security Systems
The facility will be utilizing secure systems for access.
The building will meet/and/or exceed earthquake stability requirements.
Fire Prevention System
A fire sprinkler system will be provided with a “Christmas tree” monitoring system in the Security and Communications Centre, including drainage systems on each floor.
Plumbing Systems
Personal Hygiene systems will be installed on each floor – including locker and shower facilities by the gym in the below-ground level. All will be connected to the water treatment and reclamation system.
HVAC
A geothermal underground HVAC system will be tied to the solar concentrators in the building. Probably this one - http://a2wh.com/
Below Ground Level
There would be a flat panel display located in the multimedia training area in the below-ground level, suitable for energy conservation presentations.
There will also be a computer room for housing our own Apple-based technologies for supporting the Co-Op and E-Commerce activities. It will be called the Communications Centre.The Power Storage room for battery banks, etc. will be located on this level.
Material storage facilities for the Bakery will also be located on this level and meet FDA requirements.
Water recycling (grey water) and reclamation filtering systems will be located on this level away from the communications center. Perhaps this system - http://bracsystems.com
Locker rooms and shower facilities will be provided, along with a Gym for building tenants. The gym will use human-powered systems that can generate power that will tie into the power grid.
A water garden will be located there as well tied to a waterworks system from all floors.
Main Floor
An integrated solarium with a waterfall system running on solar power and a mini-energy generator displaying how hydropower is created. This system will be located near the glass staircase/elevator system for all floors.
Second and Third Floors
The secured 2nd-floor office area would be dedicated to energy-consulting and other office services leasing tenants and be fed with solar pipes and other “green” technologies. We already have a growing list of prospective tenants...
The Roof
A “Green Roof” will be home to a hydroponics green house and other “green roof” gardening and solar technologies as they become available.
A water storage system will also be located on the roof for fire supression and building needs.
And a show-place family-sized "Greenhome" Condo will also be located on the roof.
Outside
We will have solar-paneled canopied parking at ground-level for both tenants and customers. All outbuildings will also be using photovoltaic systems to also generate power.
The outbuildings will consist of a pumphouse, a keyed holding area for tenant vehicles and storage, the "carwash" and charging station and biofuel depot.
Devi Tate of Tate Architects (Pasco, WA) is working up the Blueprints for us to LEED specifications.
