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Highland Center in New Hampshire
Environmental Education and Lodging Complex
Focusing on Sustainability.
This project included a total of four buildings. Insulspan was involved
with two, Thayer Hall and The Highland Center. The goal of this
project, initiated by the Appalachian Mountain Club, was to create
an environmental education and lodging club that would integrate
sustainable design and restoration with a new facility. The building
site at Crawford Notch is not new to development. Previous to this
project, there was a hotel located on the site, which burned down
in 1859. The hotel was rebuilt, only to burn down again in 1976.
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This environmental resort is located
at Crawford Notch, White Mountains, New Hampshire. The type of buildings
constructed are for commercial and educational use. With one building
being 10,000 sq. ft., and the other 30,000 sq. ft., the energy efficiency
was a vital part of the project.
The climate and surrounding mountains were carefully considered
when development of the building design, and landscaping took place.
The buildings are placed strategically on the 26-acre site. The
whole idea was to ensure that the development, construction and
final product took as little out of the land as possible. According
to a write-up in Eco-Structure Magazine, “The project
integrates cost-effective and proven sustainable building and landscaping
techniques throughout. And, by constructing in a way that makes
the new building compatible with the site and its historic structures,
the retreat follows the AMC principle to “Sit lightly on the
land.””
Energy efficiency is an important part of the Highland Center’s
Design. On the site, all the buildings are situated east to west
in order to maximize daylight and summer breezes. The design of
the buildings and their materials had to work carefully with the
ever-changing climate in Crawford Notch. The goals of the project
were to encompass the AMC principle of “Sit lightly on the
land.” The buildings needed to include lodging, meeting facilities,
staff offices, as well as environmental education venues. The design
team integrated the historical structures with the new ones, creating
a final design that would disturb less than 2.5 percent of the proposed
site.
Environmentally friendly design elements were chosen to maintain
the sustainability of the project. Formaldehyde-free medium-density
fiber-board cabinets, 95% recycled gypsum wall board, and recycled
wood for the Highland Lodge dining room are all design elements
utilized in the project. The goals of this process were able to
be met by the combined efforts of the forces of the Appalachian
Mountain Club, their architectural team based in Keene, N.H., and
the general contractor, MacMillin, Co., also based in Keene.
The products and systems in this project were carefully considered
for their cost effectiveness and sustainability features. The insulated
for walls and roof were provided by Insulspan, Inc. of Blissfield,
Mich.. The insulation was chosen because Insulspan recycles scrap
insulation during the process, and the insulation is not blown in
with ozone-depleting gases. The flooring, provided by Shaw, was
carpeting made with 89% percent recycled materials. The facilities
utilize water conservation and indoor air quality techniques such
as low-volume faucets, composting toilets, and showers instead of
tubs.
The heating and cooling system uses a Biomass central boiler that
burns locally harvested cord wood, scraps and pallets. There are
also heat recovery boilers and water heaters installed to help reduce
energy consumption. A large amount of recycled material was used
throughout the site, ranging from reclaimed timbers, to ground up
asphalt to be used for the gravel in the driveway.
The architect saw the importance of incorporating the aesthetic
and emotional elements from the historical buildings. The placement
of buildings and arrangement of landscape added strength to the
sustainable principle of the project. The goals of the project were
successfully met with structures that utilize the energy efficiency
and sustainability of the products and materials used. The benefits
to the AMC are a beautiful complex of buildings, providing facilities
that reflect their principles and values of sustainability and nature.
The community and others can come and learn more about sustainable
practices and energy efficiency by visiting the complex.
Photos of the completed Project can be seen in Eco-Structure
Magazine in the May/June 2004 issue, pages 16 through 24. This
article can also be viewed online at: http://www.eco-structure.com/Archives/May04b/may04b.html.
Please see attached for the exterior of the finished structure.
Building Green Index
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