http:// www.menefeeandwiner.com/projects/?p =110

1. http://www.menefeeandwiner.com/projects/?p=110

2. Menefee + Winer Office This document includes a comprehensive breakdown of the construciton methods, system details, and material choices incorporated into the project at 1075 Brady Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. The architecture office of Menefee+Winer is LEED Silver and is positioned to be Georgia’s First LEED NC Architecture office.

4. Key sustainable design decisions focused on using high-reflective roofing and paving material to reduce the urban heat island effect, a north-facing studio resulting in a completely day-lit work environment, a high-performance building envelope, high-efficiency mechanical and lighting systems, operable windows, and the use of Low-VOC flooring systems and paints. 

5. Location: Atlanta, GA Description: Menefee + Winer Architects served as architect, contractor and owner for this project. Located at 1075 Brady Avenue near the Georgia Tech campus, the building is a culmination of 15 years of commitment to thoughtful, detail-oriented, and sustainable design and development. The 4,100 square foot building is an adaptive reuse of a muffler shop. It is accessible to two MARTA bus lines, and within walking distance to several neighborhood restaurants and services. The building is certified LEED® Silver and is the first LEED-NC architect’s office in the state of Georgia.

6. Site Selection Credit Intent: Avoid development of inappropriate sites and reduce the environmental impact from the location of a building on a site. The project site: - has not been developed on prime farmland. - does not fall within 100 feet of wetlands and within setbacks defined by local and state law. - does not disturb the habitat of any threatened or endangered species. - is not located on previously undeveloped land near any water body(50 feet or less), as defined by the Clean Water Act. - has not been previously zoned as public parkland and does not qualify as a Park Authority project.

7. Development Density: Community Connectivity Credit Intent Channel development to urban areas with existing infrastructure, protect greenfields and preserve habitat and natural resources. The project site is - situated on a previously developed site - within a 1⁄2 mile radius of a residential neighborhood (average density of 10 units per acre) - within 1⁄2 mile radius of 10 basic services minimum - with pedestrian access to these services.

8. Alternative Transportation: Public Transportation Access Credit Intent Reduce pollution and land development impacts from automobile use. Bus Service The project site is located within 1⁄4 mile radius of a total of 5 MARTA bus stops.

9. Alternative Transportation: Low-Emission and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles 5% of the total parking on site will be reserved for Low-Emission and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles.

10. Alternative Transportation: Parking Capacity Credit Intent Reduce pollution and land development impacts from single occupancy use. No New Parking The number of parking has remained the same since before construction of the project.

11. Site Development: Maximize Open Space Credit Intent Provide a high ratio of open space to development footprint to promote biodiversity. Zoning requirement with no open space requirement Vegetated open space equal to at least 20% of site area. The total new open space on the project site is 44.2%. By doubling the required open space, the credit warrants an Innovation in Design credit for Exemplary Performance.

12. The building is comprised of two distinct volumes: a one-story former 4-bay pre-manufactured garage building, and a two-story office wing. 

14. Daylight 75% of Spaces Glazing Factor Calculations The project’s main spaces receive excellent daylight due to large glazing areas and northern exposure, which promises uniform light throughout the building.

17. Water Efficient Landscaping Credit Intent Limit or eliminate the use of portable water, or other natural surface or subsurface water resources available on or near the project site, for landscape irrigation. The installed landscaping does not require permanent irrigation systems. Temporary irrigation systems used for plant establishment will be removed within one year of installment (2 points). All new plants are either indigenous or adapted for the Georgia climate.

18. Rapidly Renewable Materials Careful selection and application of rapidly renewable materials within the project, such as cotton fiber batting and soy-based polyurethane spray foam insulation, as well as rubber flooring with cork warrant a Material and Resources point. Credit Intent Reduce the use and depletion of finite raw materials and long-cycle renewable materials by replacing them with rapidly renewable materials.

19. Optimize Energy Performance Credit Intent Achieve increasing levels of energy performance above the baseline in the prerequisite standard to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use. Whole Building Energy Simulation Theproject’s energy model is projecting a 42% energy cost saving. The building has superior insulation, highly reflective roof surfaces, maximum day lighting, light sensors in selected spaces and a heat recovery system.

20. Heat Island Effect: Roof Credit Intent Reduce heat islands (thermal gradient differences between developed and undeveloped area) to minimize impact on microclimate and human and wildlife habitat.

21. Paints + Coatings Credit Intent Reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants.

22. Controllability of Systems: Lighting Credit Intent Provide a high level of lighting system control by individual occupants or by specific groups in multi-occupant spaces (i.e., classrooms and conference areas) to promote the productivity, comfort and well-being of building occupants.

23. Increased Ventilation Credit Intent Provide additional outdoor air ventilation to improve indoor air quality for improved occupant comfort, well- being and productivity.

24. Low Emitting Materials: Carpet Systems Credit Intent Reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants.

25. The one-story portion communicates both literal and figural transparency as the creative engine of the architectural practice the studio is put on view in an all-glass facade. All full-time employees work in this area, including the two principals, allowing for an open exchange of ideas. The two-story building, with a yellow and white hard-coat stucco facade, acts as a solid volume with punched openings. The patterns of line and color on the stucco facade evoke a Mondrian painting, and its shapes are carefully and artfully composed as the two-story wing directs sharp lines towards its urban neighbors. The glass facade from the one-story portion shows a pattern of black anodized and clear anodized aluminum, picking up on the modernist transformation of the area and reinforcing a radial symmetry established by the stucco joint lines.