Green Living is the Life For
Me!
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the US Green Building Council - North Carolina (USGBC-NC) chapter Walk & Talk. The event featured a short lecture by the design team that renovated the RDU Terminal 1 at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Afterward, we took a tour of the public spaces at Terminal 1 and checked out the renovations and sustainable features in person.
Presenters
Irvin Pearce, AIA - Principal with Clark Nexsen, Inc.
Doug Brinkley, FAIA, LEED Fellow - Principal with Clark Nexsen, Inc.
Chad Humphrey, Balfour Beatty
Background on Project
- Terminal 1 was originally built in 1981. (Pearce was involved on the original project)
- Budget was $42 million; changes were made during project adding more sustainability to project scope; final cost is estimated to be around $50 million; to give you perspective, Terminal 2 cost around $580 million
- Grand opening date of renovated terminal was April 13, 2014
- All tenants are now required to meet LEED standards
- Jobsite was adjacent to operating Southwest terminal
- This was a total renovation of existing terminal
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| Pearce shows picture of Terminal 1 prior to renovation |
Goals and Learning Objectives for Design Team
- How use of insulated translucent exterior wall panels solved security, energy (both light and heat, and budget concerns)
- How use of innovative credits required tenants to comply with LEED requirements
- How use of 2" exterior metal panels with reticulating foam seals produce a well insulated building and keeps moisture out
- Daylight studies convinced owner to add operable shades and 70% reflect glass to reduce existing glare on east side of building
Sustainable Features
- Utilized recycled materials
- Incorporated public transportation location into design; Triangle Transit provides buses that connect airport with both Raleigh and Durham
- Installed energy saving escalators that slow down during non-use
- Utilized low emitting paint (all wall paint is zero VOC (volatile organic compounds))
- Installed LEED compliant flooring
- Utilized low emitting adhesives and sealants
- Kalwall was used instead of windows which allowed reduced lighting loads, better insulation value and did not compromise security
- Building re-use: 86% structural (slabs on grade, composite decks, structural roof deck)
- Building re-use:28% exterior walls
- Reskin of exteriors and walls saved energy from what was existing
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| Pearce answers questions about materials used in renovation |
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| Kalwall |
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| Pearce points out future ticketing / baggage areas for possible growth |
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| Exterior public transportation and covered passenger drop off area |
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| Checking out the public art on the way to security screening and departure gates |
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| Security screening area |
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| View inside departure gate area and new restaurant |
Take Aways for Me
- As Pearce pointed out, it's important to have lots of great collaborators on projects of this scale. Because of the nature of the project, many specialty consultants were brought in address things like baggage systems, security, sign systems, daylighting, elevators/escalators and electronic systems.
- The exterior and insulation is one of the most important features of making sustainable buildings.
- Kalwall is better insulation value than glass (Kalwall = R10 vs Glass = R2) and great resource for daylighting a building
- I asked Pearce why they did not add solar panels, LED lighting and water collection systems to the project and he said that solar panels would cause reflection problems for pilots, and LED and water collection systems were cost prohibitive at the time, but they were discussed.
- The public art takes the project to another level of cool (see below)
The public art in Terminal 1 really adds to the welcoming feel this renovated building. It brings character, charm and life to space where thousands of people pass through on a daily basis.
The Wright Brothers airplane artwork was taken from the floor in original Terminal 1 and recycled into a piece of artwork in the renovated space. It is a reminder of the building's history as well as the history of North Carolina.
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