The Moran Building: Ecological Design For Community Good

2. The Moran Building: Ecological Design For Community Good • Goal: refurbish the Moran building, to provide: • meeting, teaching, workshop, and conference space • community development and connection • examples of working ecological technologies University Of Vermont Ecological Design Studio Mark Keffer, John Todd, Ph.D, and the NR 285 students

3. Problems and Goals Unique Features of Moran Building strong structure tower height orientation and location LCCSS already established basement flooded; sluices; pillars “north face” external steel structure stormwater outflow nearby Methods and Ideas ecological technologies greenhouse photovoltaic glass passive solar heating solar hot water aquaponics restorer constructed wetlands business and people rooftop patio conference space community connection solar kitchen recycle cycles concert stage Next Steps Presentation Outline

4. What’s the Problem? 1. the building is deteriorating 2. some consider the building an eyesore 3. soil nearby likely contaminated 4. stormwater pollution is an increasing concern for the city

5. The Overall Idea The Moran building has a unique combination of design features and location that make it an ideal candidate for renovation. It provides a link between Burlington’s industrial past and its progressive future. It could set an example of innovative ways to recreate the urban landscape.

6. The Overall Idea We would like to see the building: • showcase of successful ecological technologies • showcase of renewable energy methods in action • conference center for Burlington and Vermont • teaching, meeting, and community space • community kitchens, gardens, and collaboration space • center for pedestrian and bicycle transportation

7. Integration and Synergy • practical uses • conference space • rooftop patio • community development • recycle cycles • community gardens • community kitchen • green technologies • greenhouse • photovoltaics • aquaponics • mycoremediation • historical preservation • link to Burlington’s industrial past • renewable energy instead of fossil making the most of existing features

8. Moran Unique Features work with existing features....

9. designed to withstand earthquakes • still structurally sound and in good shape • therefore quite expensive to deconstruct • (est. $1 000 000 just for deconstruction)

10. Unblocked southern and western exposure for maximum sunlight • tower ~ 90’ high • tower brickwork provides huge thermal mass • terraces and tower provide good structural support

11. excellent views from the rooftop • potential for restaurant or patio • draw in people and leave a lasting impression

12. significant work has already been done inside by Marcel Beaudin and the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center

13. sluices brought lakewater into and out of the basement

14. basement was designed to be flooded • very strong pillars supported turbines • these could support partitions for aquaculture tanks

16. electrical substation already present • facilitates delivery of electricity to the grid

17. external steel structures used to support boilers • still structurally intact • could still support considerable weight northwest steel photo

18. central location, bike path proximity • well-situated to bring together Burlington’s neighbourhoods • encourage the use of the bike path as a viable alternative to driving • could have lockers, changerooms, and showers to increase its use as a midway point

19. stormwater drains • close to stormwater pipes • potential for easy transmission to treatment wetland

20. Methods, Techniques, and Ideas making Moran an Ecological Building

21. ecological technologies 1. greenhouse 2. photovoltaic glass 3. passive solar heating 4. solar hot water 5. aquaponics 6. restorer 7. constructed wetlands business and people 8. rooftop patio 9. conference space community connection 10. solar kitchen 11. recycle cycles 12. concert stage Methods and Ideas

22. key painting

24. the greenhouse envelope allows us to do a number of things: • grow space • aquaponics • electricity generation • heating and ventilation

25. Energy production • The Moran building used to be Burlington’s electricity production center. • Why not have it go back to energy production – but this time as an entirely clean and green facility?

26. Digital Equipment Corporation, Switzerland photoelectric glass arranged in louvres Colt Group Inc.

27. summer • heat causes air to rise • this pulls air up from basement • basement will stay cool due to lakewater • vent hot air out the top

29. ecological technologies 1. greenhouse 2. photovoltaic glass 3. passive solar heating 4. solar hot water 5. aquaponics 6. restorer 7. constructed wetlands business and people 8. rooftop patio 9. conference space community connection 10. solar kitchen 11. recycle cycles 12. concert stage Methods and Ideas

30. hot oil hot water out cold water in Solar Hot Water • Evacuated Heat Tubes heat up in sun • tubes set inside insulated glass box • (function in winter also) • Heat exchanger transfers energy to water storage tank

31. hot oil storage • use wall and some roof space for hot water heating • provide hot water • showers • solar kitchen

32. Aquaponics • (Aquaculture + Hydroponics) • pump lakewater into basement tanks • fish add nutrients to water • pump nutrient-laden water up to greenhouse • nutrients act as fertilizer • plants clean the water by absorbing nutrients • allow cleaner water to return to fishtanks

33. constructed wetlands mycoremediation community gardens

34. Mushroom Pasture • Mix soil with mushroom- inoculated wood chips • Fungus will feed on residual hydrocarbons in soil • periodically re-mix more inoculated wood chips and/or compost

35. Wetlands Constructed Wetland Location: 1. North side of Moran Plant Size varying depending on purpose Purpose: 1. Treatment of gray and black water 2. Treatment of storm runoff and rain water Uses: 1. Purify prescribed water for release into Lake Champlain or holding tanks 2. Holding tank water will be used for toilets and greenhouse water needs

36. ecological technologies 1. greenhouse 2. photovoltaic glass 3. passive solar heating 4. solar hot water 5. aquaponics 6. restorer 7. constructed wetlands business and people 8. rooftop patio 9. conference space community connection 10. solar kitchen 11. recycle cycles 12. concert stage Methods and Ideas

37. Restorer water movement

38. Concert Stage

39. Grand Hall -- Conference Space

40. Rooftop Patio/Restaurant

43. ecological technologies 1. greenhouse 2. photovoltaic glass 3. passive solar heating 4. solar hot water 5. aquaponics 6. restorer 7. constructed wetlands business and people 8. rooftop patio 9. conference space community connection 10. solar kitchen 11. recycle cycles 12. concert stage Methods and Ideas

44. recycle cycles initiative • gather old bicycles currently gathering dust in basements etc • community members refurbish bikes • make them available for: • borrowing/renting for bikepath rides • sell at low cost for those in need • “about-town” borrow and drop-off (as in the previous “polka-dot bike” program)

45. recycle cycles con’t. • increase community use of Moran Building as • workshop/skill-sharing space • community gathering/meeting place • way to increase bicycling in Burlington • connect with other bike/pedestrian community groups (Local Motion, which is just down the path) • successful implementation in other places (Kitchener, Ontario)

46. solar kitchen • raise oil temp to ~180 C (350 F) • provide cooking space for community events • canning of in-house produce • value-adding of in-house produce (pesto, mushrooms, etc)

47. Next Steps moving forward...

48. Next Steps • continue to gather interested people • look for funding to hire someone to organize research on best use of available technologies • further investigation of zoning, regulatory structures, community acceptance and interest • hire engineer to look into structural aspects

49. end further ideas, pictures, and considerations...

50. bicycle rickshaws • bike workshop could include production of rickshaws • carry pedestrians • along path • up the hill • campus <--> downtown <-->Moran • deliveries and pickups • community garden goods • vegetable oil (see biodiesel) • increase community presence and advertisement of Moran • provide useful and healthy activity for drivers from the community • “Moran Emissaries” – encouraging people to visit the building and learn about ecological technologies