Innovation
Innovation in Construction
Several items will be part of the design which will lead to innovations in the construction process:
The use of spray foam insulation, instead of rigid or batt insulation, integrates a product that more thoroughly eliminates the penetration of air and moisture into a building. The spray insulation is also adaptable to change through the life of the building by allowing contractors to cut or drill holes in the exterior of the building and applying a repair spray to the damaged areas. The spray repair integrates into the existing insulation creating a monolithic barrier. The spray foam is also part of a rain screen system, used to control wind pressure on the exterior and interior of wall cladding and prevent water from being driven thru cracks or errors in the façade. The rain screen system is the most technologically up-to-date system and mimics the way a 2-wythe masonry wall works to channel moisture.
Through a thorough study during the conceptual phase, the existing site was designed utilizing multiple levels in which the administration would occupy the upper floors and buses would continue to occupy the ground level. In addition bifold doors (on the exterior) and rapid acting doors (on the interior) of the Service Lane would be integrated to increase efficiency for the Service Lane staff.
Insulated precast panels will be integrated into the exterior facade. The precast panels will be manufactured off-site which allows for a reduced construction period. The panels will enhance the quality control of the project because the panels will be manufactured in a controlled environment and weather will not be a factor.
Modular components will be designed for offices and employee spaces. As with the insulated precast panels, these will be manufactured off-site before being delivered to the site and placed within the building which will further enhance the quality control since the components will be manufactured in a controlled environment.
Enhanced building commissioning, which is required for Silver LEED certification, will be included in the Project Manual. The Commissioning Agent will be a part of the Design Team during the design process, which provides a part of the “belt and suspenders” approach to architectural, mechanical, and electrical systems. Final commissioning assures that the building systems will operate as designed together. Problems will be identified and corrected before the contractor will be awarded the final payments.
A roof will be provided to cover the parking level to protect from snow, ice, and rain. This will reduce the amount of snow melting components while enhancing the employees comfort. This roof will also provide another horizontal surface that can be used to hold vegetative roof elements and photovoltaics.
Due to the tight construction schedule, parts of the design will be “flash tracked”, a faster construction sequence than “fast tracking”. In flash tracking, for instance, the foundation package would be bid and construction started before the framing has been fully designed. This requires increased coordination between all members of the design team, construction management team, and the contractor(s).
Forming a teaming arrangement with the members of the design team, the construction management team, and the contractors is an innovation that is relatively new but has found success in complicated projects such as this.
Innovation in Recycling
Recycling consists of several parts:
- Reusing existing components/materials on-site
- Using components/materials composed of recycled materials
- Finding sources that can reuse existing components/materials on a different site
The proposed design re-uses the existing maintenance building by rearranging some of the interior spaces to enhance staff efficiency and by adding needed additional space. The site is reorganized to promote safety and efficiency. Equipment and furnishings will be carefully surveyed for their ability to be re-used, sold or recycled as scrap.
As part of the LEED certification requirements, materials that are available locally will be specified, thus reducing the energy required to transport the materials and providing support for local suppliers. In addition, every opportunity to utilize recycled or renewable materials on the new building will be studied. Utilizing products on site for a new purpose such as the demolition of masonry and concrete will be explored, which avoids placing more materials in a waste dump and limits the transportation of excess materials from the construction site.
Product examples that can be reused on site are concrete and brick which can be crushed and used as a base for roadwork. On-site construction recycling will be monitored and required by the project to reduce materials placed in waste dumps. This process requires the contractors to place any waste materials in their proper dumpster so that they can be recycled properly after leaving the site.
Balancing cut and fill so excavated material will stay on-site will be a design priority as will finding sources to reuse building components that cannot be reused on site.
Containers for use by employees to separate recyclables will be put at convenient locations throughout the buildings and site so that separation occurs as items are thrown out. Materials used in the maintenance building, such as metals and cardboard, will have designated dumpsters. Water used in the Service Lane for rinsing vehicles will be recycled as wash water for the next cycle. Automatic transmission fluid will be re-cycled in a special piece of equipment.
Innovation in Renewable Resources
Specification of construction materials will be carefully researched to find and utilize renewable materials. The use of the renewable materials will be verified during construction by full-time construction management personnel. This is an extremely important process and contributes to the quality control of the entire project.
Some renewable products such as “plyboo” which is plywood made from bamboo may be used. Contractors may not have experience utilizing this product, so an education in the proper use of the product may be necessary but will also contribute to the quality of the project. If other renewable or recycled products are new to a contractor, a similar process will be implemented to avoid missteps in the project
Certain products, such as concrete, brick, and certified wood are well-known sustainable products along with their manufacturing process and will be used on the project where appropriate.
Gray water will be used for irrigation of the grounds and landscaping along with other uses that do not require potable water, such as flushing water closets. Solar thermal systems will be integrated into the project to produce domestic hot water for use in showers and restrooms which will contribute to the decreased dependency on utilities from the building.
Innovation in Energy Reductions – Ongoing Operating Costs
A building’s cost is often interpreted as the initial construction cost of the facility; however decisions made during the construction will directly affect the operational costs over the building’s life. Investing in more energy efficient equipment and designs prior to and during the construction of the building will generally result in a reduction in annual energy costs. It is recognized that decisions made during the design and construction of a project will impact the facility long after the project is complete. For this reason GBT is dedicated to implementing cost effective and innovative options that will conserve or create energy.
While the proposed facility will have a larger occupied space it is anticipated that the energy consumption per square foot will be reduced by incorporating energy conservation strategies into the facility design. These strategies could include several of the following measures:
Daylight Tracking Skylights - The use of daylight tracking skylights will provide more light throughout the day than a typical skylight. This system combined with day lighting controls and dimmable ballasts will produce an energy savings light system that can reduce its energy consumption based on ambient light levels.
Heat Recovery Ventilators - Bus storage areas can require a large amount of ventilation air. The heated air that is rejected by these ventilators presents an opportunity for energy savings during the heating season. Heat Recovery Ventilators use a heat exchanger that transfers heat from the exhaust air stream and uses it to preheat makeup air.
Building Envelope - The building envelope is an important factor in a building’s energy consumption. By insulating and reducing building infiltration beyond energy code, a facility will realize reduced energy consumption over the life of the facility.
Solar Thermal System - A solar thermal system produces hot water from the suns energy. This hot water can be used in domestic hot water operations such as showers. This project could utilize a solar thermal system to supplement the main heating system for sinks and showers. This will reduce the amount of energy the facility will need to purchase from its local utility.
Direct Fired Infrared Heaters - Infrared heaters heat objects through radiant heat transfer rather than air through convective heat transfer. In areas where garage doors often open and close these systems are a more energy efficient alternative to conventional unit heaters that just heat the air. For the GBT this system will be installed in the Paratransit garage.
Photovoltaic System - A photovoltaic system uses the Sun’s energy to produce electricity. In recent year these systems have become more popular and efficient. This has resulted in systems with reduced construction costs and more energy production. A photovoltaic system if implemented would reduce the amount of energy the facility purchases from its utility. These systems also can be seen as a hedge against future utility rate increases.
A video about Photovaltaic Systems is in the right sidebar.
Details of the energy savings impact of each of these elements can be viewed in the Benefit Cost Analysis section.
Value Engineering
Value engineering is a method for reviewing construction costs during the design process, which typically occurs at the completion of the 60% design documentation. The designs are reviewed for possible changes resulting in a reduction in the estimated construction cost. However, in conjunction with this review, additions to the design which will enhance the facility’s functionality will also be proposed. Both of these categories will be estimated and discussed with the design/construction team.
In order to assure adherence to the proposed budget, cost estimates will be performed at each design milestone. A third party cost estimator is continuously integrated with the design team to further ensure that all items are covered.
A Peer Review by GBT’s peers will be part of the Schematic Design process. GBT will invite representatives of two to four comparable transit systems to the peer review meeting. The design team will present the project and facilitate the discussion. The purpose of this peer review is to get feedback on how various scenarios and materials have functioned on projects for other agencies. Salient comments will be incorporated into the project.
Innovation in Jurisdictional and Stakeholder Partnerships
In support of the ARRA goal of rapid job creation and investment in transportation infrastructure that will provide long term benefits and assist those most affected by the current economic downturn, GBT, as part of this project, is partnering with the Workplace, Inc., Southwestern Connecticut’s Regional Workforce Development Board. The WorkPlace, Inc. helps people prepare for careers and strengthens the regional workforce for employers. It administers workforce development funds and coordinates providers of job training and education programs to meet the needs of residents and employers in the twenty-town Southwestern Connecticut Region.
The programs included in the coordination are the “Bridgeport Job Funnel” and “Youth Build Bridgeport”. The Bridgeport Job Funnel program was developed through collaboration of The WorkPlace, Inc., Career Resources, the Fairfield County Community Foundation, and Carpenter’s Union 210, Bridgeport Mayor Finch, the New England Regional Council of Carpenters, Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises, Casey Family Services, and the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition. The program enabled the recruitment of over 200 people with over 70 receiving training in basic construction skills, work readiness assessments, and placement assistance.
The Youth Build Bridgeport program is funded through the U.S. Department of Labor through an ARRA grant and is aimed at assisting young adults in rebuilding their communities. Key partners include Bridgeport School System, Adult Education System; Carpenter’s Union Local 210; The Home Builders Institute; Bridgeport Police Department, Division of Community Service; The City of Bridgeport Housing Authority (Construction site provider for vocational training) and Housatonic Community College (College exploration, transition and support services). This program is targeted toward members of low-income families and or youth in foster care as well as youth offenders, and/or a youth who is an individual with a disability and/or a child of an incarcerated parent, has so far resulted in the recruitment of more than sixty participants.
The Workplace and GBT are exploring opportunities to coordinate these job preparation programs with the FEIP and will cooperate to ensure that the maximum number of program participants are included in the FEIP.
