Proximity Hotel Greensboro, NC

1. Proximity HotelGreensboro, NC Jeff Disbrow Anya Rifkin Erica Bareuther

2. http://www.proximityhotel.com/tour.htm

3. http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/travel/video/5430203/

4. What is Proximity Hotel? • 147 Oversized Guestrooms including 10 suites • 5,000 Sq. Feet of Conference Room Space • 102,000 Sq. Feet total • Standard rate for theLoft Double Queen Room is $254/night • Provocative, Mindful Design • Harmonious with Nature • Vibrant Restaurant • Event Space with Wonderful Vistas • Inviting Lobby • Knowledgeable Staff • Smoke-free Environment • Wi-Fi Technology • Expansive Fitness Studio • Peaceful Gardens • 2.5 Acre Natural Habitat • Abundant Natural Light • Complimentary airport transportation • First hotel in the nation to achieve LEED Platinum

5. Site Evaluation • Location and Accessibility • Very accessible by major highways and roads • Walkable distance to downtown Greensboro • Bikes provided to guests to use on greenway • Use city water supply/sewage disposal • Local Communities • Extensive connections to local businesses and attractions • http://www.proximityhotel.com/community.htm • Partner with nearby restaurants • Availability of Local building materials • 46% of building materials sourced regionally • Most of the furniture was made within an 18 mile radius • Artist-in-residence created 500 pieces of art for the guest rooms while working in a temporary studio adjacent to the hotel • Physical Characteristics of the Landscape • Central city location • Wineries - The Yadkin Valley is very distinct with soil that is clayey, well-drained and moderately fertile, which are excellent qualities for grape growing • Many city gardens within walking distance • Sunshine – enough to create energy for the building • Moderate climate – average summer temperature 88 degrees

6. Site Planning • Bioregional coordination • The building fits the style of the region • Blends the old with the new • Works with the landscape around it • “Pretended that we found an old factory and adapted it into a hotel and restaurant.” • Access • Many places to sit and walk outside and inside • A lot of parking available • Main entrance

7. Site Design • Placing the buildings • Built to complement the surroundings • Definitely stands out from landscape • Roads • Major roads surround the building • Trail systems/Plant life • Bicycle greenway trail available for use • Gardens surrounding building • Bluebell garden • Grading and drainage • Stream Restoration Project

8. Biophysical Impacts • Stream Restoration • Low-emitting volatile organic compound paints, adhesives, carpets • Followed local erosion and sedimentation control standards and codes • Preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles • At least 50% of the site (not including building footprint) has been restored with native planting • Less than 50% of developed surfaces are impervious • Landscaping and irrigation systems have been designed to reduce irrigation water consumption • HVAC and Refrigeration Systems do not contain CFC based refrigerants

9. ECS (Engineering Firm) Performed: • Comprehensive construction materials testing and observation services during construction • ASTM standard tests on soil, aggregate, concrete and asphalt • LEED IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) Testing

10. Stream Restoration • 700 linear feet of stream • Reduced erosion: • By planting local, adaptable plant species • Rebuilding the buffers and banks • 400 tons of boulders and 18 logs were used so that seasonal flood cycles would not be affected • Restored to NC Department of Water Standards

11. Architectural Design • Aesthetics: • Is named after and looks after the Proximity Textile Mill that used to be in Greensboro. • Energy Use Conservation: • Solar Panels cover 4000 ft rooftop • Geothermal energy for the restaurant’s refrigeration equipment • Natural lighting: 7’4” square windows in guest rooms • Elevator reduces net energy usage by capturing the system’s energy and feeds it back into the building’s internal electrical grid • Large amounts of outside air into guestrooms • Green Roof

12. Architectural Design, cont. • Water Conservation and Management • 700 linear feet of stream was restored • High-efficiency Kohler plumbing fixtures: saved two million gallons of water the first year. • Wastewater Management • Stream channel that protects receiving stream channels from excessive erosion. • Solid Waste Management: ?

13. Architectural Design, cont. • Natural Building Technologies: • The bistro bar is made of salvaged, solid walnut trees that came down through sickness or storm and room service trays made of Plyboo (bamboo plywood). • Reinforced steel with 90% post consumer recycled content, National Gypsum Wallboard 100%, asphalt 25% and staircase steel 50% • Concrete contains 4% fly ash • Guestroom shelving and the bistro’s tabletops are made of walnut veneer, over a substrate of SkyBlend, a particleboard made from 100% post-industrial recycled wood pulp with no added formaldehyde

14. Architectural Design, cont. • Are these practices meaningful? • Yes • Challenges: • Wastewater management systems lacking • Solid waste management systems lacking