A conference center on
Bayer's Pittsburgh campus is taking green where few buildings have gone before--net zero sustainability.
The solar-powered center, infused with a wall of green perennials, floor to ceiling windows, repurposed slate and wood and Polycarbonates, Polyurethanes and coatings by Bayer MaterialScience, consumes the energy it generates for a net-zero carbon footprint.
Any leftover energy goes back to the power grid, too, as the building monitors its own energy generating activity. Green has never looked so good.
The Bayer EcoCommercial Building Conference Center was designed by Penn State University students as a residential housing concept for the
2009 Solar Decathlon competition in Washington, D.C. Today it's serving as a model for sustainable building solutions and a showcase of construction materials and technologies developed by Bayer MaterialScience.
"This building is a logical extension of our company's commitment," says Paul Platte, director of Bayer's North American EcoCommercial Building Program. "The basic idea is to reduce the energy consumption and augment that with sustainable energy."
The 800-square-foot center was built with the help of a
Bayer USA Foundation donation of $10,000 and BMS raw materials and guidance.
The eco-center is one of three projects planned by BMS in support of a holistic, collaborative approach to sustainable building design. The solution areas demonstrated include: insulation, daylighting, illumination, indoor environmental quality, sustainable energy, intelligent building and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
Writer:
Debra Diamond SmitSource: Paul Platte, Katie Kirkpatrick, Bayer MaterialScience
Sign up to receive Pop City every week.
Image courtesy of Bayer