Bosarge Family Education Center | Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Narrative

Soon after the opening in 2007, the Botanical Gardens Trustees determined that their educational mission required more space for programs and administration. They challenged the design team to create a building that blended with their existing Visitors Center and that produced as much energy as it used on an annual basis.  The Education Center was to serve as an example of environmentally responsible design and technology.  The design and construction team met and exceeded that goal by delivering an 8,400sf Education Center that is LEED Platinum certified and produced 30% more electricity than it consumed in its first year.

The building form relates to local vernacular of gabled farmhouses and barns, as well as the Visitors Center.  The building was sited to maximize true southern exposure for passive solar heating, solar power, and daylight penetration. It combines a delicate balance of transparent and solid envelope to maximize views, daylight and thermal comfort.

Sustainability and Performance

Natural daylight was maximized with north-side nano-gel skylights and south-side operable windows with light reflecting blinds.  A 1,700 gallon tank collects rainwater from roofs to flush toilets. Uncollected rainwater is directed to rain gardens and bio-swales for natural filtration.  All plumbing fixtures are low-flow or waterless fixtures; all toilets are dual flush.

The building was designed as a net zero energy building, with a 48kw PV system. Key features include R-7.25 triple pane windows, R40 walls, R60 roof, R20 under slabs, cellulous insulation, nanogel skylights, extremely tight envelope (1.02 ACH50). Energy Systems include: VRF Air Source Heat Pumps, Energy Recovery Ventilators, super T8 and LED lighting design, daylight responsive control, 50% below ASHRAE 90.1 2007.

A Lucid Dashboard display allows visitors to access interactive displays of the building’s energy and resource use so they are aware of the symbiotic relationship between the building and the environment. Staff members were trained on living in a net-zero building and post-occupancy evaluations were conducted. A “truth wall” along with signage, explains the building’s many green features.

Materials and Construction                 

To allow for expedited winter construction the building was designed for panelized off-site fabrication. The wall, floor, and roof panels were erected in less than ten days. Natural durable finishes were used wherever possible, including clear wood finishes, mill finish aluminum, and polished concrete with high recycled content. Maple floors and pine wall and ceiling boards are from local sources. 85% of the wood used was sustainably harvested.