Much of the focus in the discussion of green construction revolves around the materials and systems used. Intelligent discussions of green construction also include a focus on the location of the building. Studies show that far more energy is consumed to transport the occupants of a building to and from the building than is used by the building itself.

The Burnham Building, an old wood frame and masonry structure built in Irvington, New York in 1881, sits on the corner of Main Street directly across from the railroad station. With the redevelopment of the building, it was possible to combine transit-oriented development, main street revitalization, historic preservation and green material and systems in a mixed-use building. The ground floor was redeveloped into a new Village Library. The upper floors were developed into affordable and low-income housing.

Green interior

The building was renovated as a "green" building. A description of the design and material usage at the Burnham building illustrates many of the features that can be employed in green construction. Prior to construction, historically significant doors and windows were identified, disassembled, refurbished, and recycled in the building. Throughout demolition and construction, construction wastes were separated and recycled so that useful materials were not sent to a landfill or incinerated. To reduce air conditioning and heating load, the skin of the building was super insulated with masonry walls, triple glazed Low-E windows and recycled cellulose fiber insulation. The interior features non-off gassing paints, formaldehyde free kitchen cabinets, and in many units, natural cross ventilation for maximum comfort and healthy living conditions. Excellent daylighting was employed throughout with a skylight added to the roof of the library to bring daylight into its interior. Artificial lighting was done primarily through efficient fluorescent lighting fixtures, and low water use plumbing fixtures were used throughout the project.

Green Exterior

Green construction strategies were also applied to the exterior. The site, which had previously been 100% impermeable, was made more permeable, and trees and gardens were planted to provide summer solar shading thus further reducing energy demand for air conditioning.

A photovoltaic array that sits on the roof next to a vintage Burnham greenhouse generates electricity through solar power that runs the meter backwards (this is known as net metering). The output of this array is roughly matched with the power needs of devices that shade and ventilate the greenhouse (reducing cooling and therefore power needs).

Responsible Development

The redevelopment of this building is a model for responsible development. The new building expanded the local public library and increased its telecommunications capacity. The adaptive re-use of this industrial building brings much needed affordable housing to a downtown location and is a great example of resourceful land use. The new building has helped to transform and revitalize a section of Main Street adjacent to a train station and is in the heart of a redeveloping waterfront area. It is an essential part of this town's community revitalization and economic development plan and a superb example of smart growth.

Steve Tilly from Dobbs Ferry was the architect of the Burnham renovation

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