This is the place where we will divulge how you can contact us.
What am I looking at?
The Green Bastards Food Hub is a graduate architecture studio project by James Elliott, Paolo Orlando, Tony Saghafi, and Sean Wittmeyer for DSN S 456: Las Vegas Option Studio. It was completed during the spring semester of 2016 at Iowa State University.
As you will find throughout the site, this project was designed to be a viable infrastructural, architectural, and business proposal for addressing food security and community in the Greater Las Vegas metropolitan area. It is a building located at 1001 South 1st Street in downtown Las Vegas and tries to build, engage, and support a community for nutritious, local, and artisanal food.
Thanks for dropping by and enjoy!
Living Building Challenge
The features and documentation to back 'em up.
Overview
The sustainability gauntlet was thrown down so we decided to engage with the Living Building Challenge (LBC) from the very start. The LBC as a way to approach doing more good than harm in the spirit of true sustainability and we think it's the right thing to do. The Living Building Challenge is a collection of imperatives organized in 6 'petals' including Place, Water, Energy, Health & Happiness, Materials, Equity, and Beauty. These imperatives call for design development, implementation, and maintenance to be in line with the intent of making more responsible decisions that actually make a difference in the life of a building and how it affects both its users and those of its context.
IMAGINE a building designed and constructed to function as elegantly and efficiently as a flower: a building informed by its bioregion’s characteristics, that generates all of its own energy with renewable resources, captures and treats all of its water, and that operates efficiently and for maximum beauty.
IMAGINE a city block or a college campus sharing resources from building to building, growing food, and functioning without a dependency on fossil fuel-based transportation.
IMAGINE true sustainability in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, villages, towns and cities—Socially Just, Culturally Rich and Ecologically Restorative” - The Living Building Challenge Vision
Feel free to discover how we designed for the LBC and addressed each of the 20 imperatives below. We have included supporting documentation in Excel and PDF formats so you can dive in to how we reached net positive energy and waste, as well as the rest of the standards.
The Green Bastards Food Hub is a project of ~81,200 occupied square feet on a site of 45,340 square feet, our FAR is 1.79 placing the project in the L5 - Urban Center Zone / Transect meaning it is treated as medium- to high-density mixed-use development as defined by the LBC.
Place
The place petal focuses on the connection and integration of the Green Bastards Food Hub as a building with its context, both here in the south downtown neighborhood of Las Vegas and as a fixture within the greater built environment. We address the sense of place in how we connect to existing transit infrastructures such as buses to promoting biking and walking by offering facilities and designing a welcoming place to walk and ride. The project also addresses the existing habitat offering new natural micro-habitats for bees and other birds with the landscaping and permaculture. Learn more about the imperatives of the place petal and how we engage with them below.
Limits to Growth
The Green Bastards Food Hub is located on an existing grey-field site, with the new construction sitting on the footprint of a prior building. By developing in the city and increasing the FAR by developing a mixed use project, we are helping increase density of the downtown area. We use xeriscaping along with a handful of trees to provide shading and integrate with the urban plantings of the city and region. No petrochemicals nor fertilizers are needed to develop or maintain the landscaping.
Urban Agriculture
Urban agriculture is one of the principle functions of the food hub. Not only are we producing 27 acres of leafy greens on the GB site, but we actively promote urban agriculture within the community. We currently grow on two floors of the building utilizing hydroponic indoor growing. The GB site also includes space for six freight farms, which have been built into the landscape plan for the event garden. Additionally, we have partnered with local permaculture gurus to provide in-bed growing space on the roof of the building.
Habitat Exchange
In compliance with ILFI’s habitat exchange guidance, we have reserved exactly .46 hectares of land via the Institute’s Living Future Habitat Exchange Program. This is based upon a minimum required offset amount of .4 hectares. At 45,340 square feet of development we are slightly above the minimum 1:1 offset.
Car Free Living
The GB food hub has significantly increased the density of south downtown Las Vegas. In addition to this, we have also advanced the community towards achieving a more walkable location. The cantilever of the second level provides shade to 1st Street and Coolidge Avenue. In compliance with Las Vegas form based code we have added plantings and bike racks to the sidewalk. We have also increased sidewalk width to no less than ten feet on all sides the site.
In terms of mobility, the GB food hub promotes human powered transportation by limiting on-site parking to only twelve spots. The parking area has been covered with solar integrated shading structures and also contains four vehicle charging stations. Storage for thirty bicycles is also provided under the parking lot shade structures. Transit subsidies of $20 per month are provided to employees that choose to utilize the public transit system. The hub also provides employee showers in the basement of the building and offers a one-time $100 grant to each employee seeking to purchase a new bicycle.
Water
The Green Bastards food hub has an integrated water use and processing system that is intended to address all water demands with the collection of rain water and integrating with on-site ground water resources allowing it to act separately from the municipality-managed sewage and water supply.
The facility starts by analyzing the natural and existing hydrological conditions in the area, which in the L5 Urban center transect within the heavily controlled and restricted Colorado River Basin makes for a very difficult puzzle to engage with. In the spirit of establishing a closed loop within the desert, we start with an initial purchase of 40,000 gallons to fill the system with, then address the daily need of about 400 new gallons per day (the rest of the daily water use for the growing and hospitality as well as domestic and process water comes from the closed loop system's processed water).
The carrying capacity for the site is calculated in two parts for the food hub. The first is the surface area of the building, and the second being the area of the site and permeable surfaces where we've implemented the means to collect water. We are able to collect on about 83% of the total 45,300 SF of the lot, and that feeds into our two 20,000 gallon tanks, both equipped with water processing systems. This equates to 80,000 gallons of rain water per year based on the 30 year averages for the area. We sized the tank to be able to handle 50% of what a 50 year storm event would produce, which is about 40,000 gallons of water. In an event where rain came at an elevated about, the system would flush out "stale grey water" with the rain water collected. This allows for a small reduction in what the city needs to handle with the grid. The reason why we don't collect all of the water is that rain occurs so infrequently in the region and water collected is treated and released into the Colorado River basin, specifically Lake Mean, for use by people and farmers across the southwest and western United States.
The project is connected to the water utility but will not use it assuming legal access to the groundwater aquifer is approved and rainwater is approved for collection. According to the Colorado River Compact, Nevada State Laws, and the local water regulatory body, rainwater and new access to ground water aquifers is forbidden except for agriculture. We would propose an exemption to allow for the collection of up to 400 gallons per day via a well to the aquifer which would allow for the project to remain independent from the city utility.
Biosolids disposal would be handled by a local contractor of the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection / Bureau of Waste Management, collected in a solid form as per LBC and NDEP regulations and suggestions. This is the output from the grey and water three-phase water processing plant within the project. A permit from the same agency would be required to allow for the processing and reuse of grey water as potable water. Certification and sampling of water would be expected and easily possible with this system, and in the event of system failure, the clean water storage tank capacity would allow for the operation of the facility of more than a week.
Biosolids disposal via Nevada NDEP Groundwater Aquifer Documentation via USDA (map)
Energy
The Green Bastards food hub is a net-positive project that combines the efficient power of the sun with reduced power demand, freeing the project from the electrical utility. From the collection of energy in standard PV and building integrated PV forms to the storage in the 3 MW battery array, the project addresses the maximum demands while promising resiliency for the future and the unknown.
You guessed it! This is on it's way, patience is a virtue...
Health & Happiness
The health and happiness petal focuses on how the interior and exterior spaces of the Green Bastards Food Hub is a great environment to work in. From the material finishes to the cleaning products, everything was carefully chosen to ensure occupant safety. The GB Food Hub also seeks to connect its visitors to nature and community resiliency through several food production initiatives. Below is how we address each individual imperatives.
Civilized Environment
In accordance with the spirit of how flexible the GB Food Hub is, the occupants are able to manipulate their space based on their specific needs and desires. Most of the windows are operable and the integrated photovoltaic louvers optimize the daylight entering the building. The event areas on the top floor and roof provide excellent views of the 18b Arts District, Historic Fremont Street and the Las Vegas Strip.
Healthy Interior Environment
Using a building wide stacked ventilation system the GB Food Hub is able to exhaust air from the top and bring in fresh air from the bottom. A series of sensors are placed throughout the building to ensure good air quality and, like most buildings in Las Vegas, smoking is prohibited.
Cleaning Product List
Cleaning Product List
Air Conditioner Coil Cleaner – Greenscapes Concentrated Neutral Cleaner from QuestSpeciality Corporation
All-Purpose Cleaner – Eco Green Cleaner All Purpose Cleaner from A&C Green Cleaner, LLC
Drain Maintainer – Smart Wash Ozzy Booster from ChemFree Corporation
Grease Trap/Lift Station Maintainer – BioBen BioSmart from BuyMax
Degreaser – Eco Green Cleaner Heavy Duty Degreaser from A&C Green Cleaner, LLC
Deicer – IceAway Max Green – Compass Minerals International, Inc.
Descaler – Mineral Remove from Carlson Airflo
Dish Soap – Enviro Emerald Suds from 20/20 Chemical Company
Toilet Bowl Cleaner – No Acid Bowl Cleaner from Crestek Cleaning Center, Inc.
Window/Glass Cleaner – Eco Green Cleaner Glass and Hard Surface Cleaner from A&C Green Cleaner, LLC
Wood Cleaner – Furniture Polish from Earth Friendly Products
Biophilic Environment
The team spent an entire day exploring multiple biophilic possibilities. The GB Food Hub does a great job bridging the gap between the built and natural environment. Not only does it have the optimized daylight features, described above, the growing areas give a sense of a new urban forest. Occupants have the ability to view the agriculture production from various levels, while the permaculture garden on the roof highlight how to truly grow in the ground in the desert.
Exploration of Biophilic Design Potential
Environmental Features
Color
Water – not suited to our location
Air – roll up doors allow for fresh air to enter the building, while the openings in the floors help circulate the air throughout the space
Sunlight – PV louvers allow natural light to enter the building while reducing heat and glare throughout the space
Views and Vistas – nice views of downtown and the strip
Façade Greening – not suited to our location
Geology and Landscape – beer garden, centennial plan streetscape, permaculture roof
Habitats and Ecosystems – permaculture roof
Natural shapes and forms
Botanical Motifs – does not match the surrounding area
Tree and columnar supports – the column gird is 20’x20’ making the space flexible and minimally invasive
Animal motifs - none
Shells and spirals - none
Egg, oval and tubular forms - none
Arches, vaults, domes - none
Shapes resisting straight lines and right angles – the right angles are necessary to create a unified streetscape and provides flexibility for future programs
Simulation of natural features – hydroponic systems
Biomorphic elements - none
Geomorphology – none
Biomimicry - none
Natural patters and processes
Sensor variability – the PV louvers provide various shadow patterns within the building while the magenta LED lights used in the growing spaces provide an unexpected interest from the street and from within
Information richness – the building may appear to be simple from the outside, but inside is a complex series of programs that allows the user to explore multiple aspects of the Las Vegas food system
Age, change and the patina of time – as the food system improves in Las Vegas over time, the building will change from a programmatic standpoint, which will bring in new interior environments
Growth and efflorescence – visitors will be able to experience all the stages of hydroponic and permaculture growing
Central focal point - ???
Patterned wholes - ???
Transitional spaces – the staircases provide users with the opportunity to experience the complexity of the building from various levels
Linked series of parts to wholes – the openings within the floor allow various programs to be linked visually
Complementary contrasts - ???
Dynamic balance and tension - ???
Fractals - ???
Hierarchically organized ratios and scales - ???
Light and space
Natural light – PV louvers allow daylight to enter the space while reducing while reducing heat and glare
Filtered and diffused light – PV louvers allow daylight to enter the space while reducing heat and glare
Light and shadow – PV louvers allow daylight to enter the space while reducing heat and glare
Reflected light - PV louvers allow daylight to enter the space while reducing heat and glare
Light pools - none
Warm light - PV louvers allow daylight to enter the space while reducing heat and glare
Light as shape and form - none
Spaciousness – the floorplans are mostly open to allow the user easy access and explore the food system
Spatial variability – while the column grid is a standard 20’x20’ the programs blend into one another promoting exploration
Space as shape and form -
Spatial harmony – the spaces blend together promoting exploration
Inside-outside spaces – along the ground floor are roll up doors to invite people from the street inside, while the beer garden lets people enjoy their meal from the restaurant or food trucks
Place-based relationships
Geographic connection to place - ???
Historic connection to place - ???
Ecological connection to place – the permaculture roof provides a connection of how to grow in the ground in the desert
Cultural connection to place – located in the 18b Arts District the building provides artists a place to create and exhibit their work
Indigenous materials – the building’s concrete comes from a local provider
Landscape orientation – the site is oriented towards the northeast, the landscape along the street provides some shading during the afternoon hours
Landscape features that define building form – the beer garden is an important business and community driver outside
Landscape ecology - ???
Integration of culture and ecology - the permaculture roof provides a connection of how to grow in the ground in the desert
Spirit of place – Downtown Las Vegas is a growing community that is lacking certain features. The food hub is providing the community with a close place to get fresh food and learn about healthy eating habits
Avoiding placelessness – the building is a simple design, but its programs can become iconic
Evolving human-nature relationships
Prospect and refuge – edge of building, roof, interior edges
Order and complexity – adaptable program
Curiosity and enticement – growing system
Change and metamorphosis – adaptable community programs
Security and protection -
Mastery and control -
Affection and attachment -
Attraction and beauty -
Exploration and discovery – growing systems
Information and cognition – interpretive materials
Fear and awe -
Reverence and spirituality –
Agenda
What does biophilic mean?
Breakdown the six provided categories
Search for ways to improve
Assign tasks to members
Establish completion schedule
Attendee List
James Elliot
Sean Wittmeyer
Paolo Orlando
Tony Saghafi
Meeting Minutes – 2/15/16
8:00 am
What is biophilic? No dictionary definition
Biophilia - a love of life and the living world; the affinity of human beings for other life forms.
Intent - To promote designs that bridge the divide between natural and built environments.
8:30 am
Biophilic – the intelligent implementation of nature and natural inspired elements into a space. This is meant to increase a person’s connection to nature and promote healthy living/work environments.
8:45 am
Environmental Features
It is probably not a good idea to have any ornamental water features
The colors of the building should promote unity in the community
Should add roll up doors to invite people into the market and bring in fresh air
Try to install an integrated PV system
The public park and hydroponic areas should provide enough interior and exterior plants
If we are growing food, we should not have animals in the building
Try to have our furniture made of natural materials
Due to the FBC we should have the height to see both the downtown and the street
It is too harsh of a climate to have green facades
By incorporating the permaculture group we are establishing a new ecosystem on the roof
10:15 am
Natural shapes and forms
The team does not feel that using biomorphic/organic forms is the right way to go for this project
10:45 am
Natural patters and Processes
The PV louvers, LED grow lights, smells from the restaurant, visons of fresh food in the market and being surrounded by the growing systems should provide many different sensory experiences
The stairs and openings in the floor will not only promote walking and natural movement of air, but also provide visual links between the spaces
11:15 am
Light and Space
The PV louvers will control the daylighting of the building
The spaces should not be fixed, if one program moves, another should be able to come in with minimal effort
Shade the park with plants or structure
12:00 pm – Lunch
12:30 pm
Light and Space Cont.
Open the plans up to blend the spaces
Solar tubes?
Use the building as a cover over the sidewalk
Park should turn into a beer garden
Fence to allow outdoor drinking
1:45 pm
Place-Based Relationships
The history of this part of town is being replaced
Rammed earth potential
Local material exploration
Concrete
Reused wood
Stucco
Stone
Permaculture and how to grow in the ground in the desert
The building orientation is forced
The landscaping should not dictate the form of our building
18b Arts District events and businesses
Community is lacking things like a grocery store
3:00 pm
Evolved Human-Nature Relationships
The sidewalks along 1st Street and Coolidge Avenue will be covered by the building
The building’s program is highly adaptable
The hydroponic growing areas provide an opportunity to explore developments in urban agriculture
Tours will be held to teach people what is going on in the building
4:15 pm
Action Items
Create a brise soleil over 1st and Coolidge
Create openings in the floors so visitors can see into the growing areas
Reduce the number of interior walls to allow visitors to see all the processes
Connect more with the 18b Arts District
Stick with the integrated solar PV louvers
Come up with other scenarios that can go inside the building
5:00 pm
End of meeting
Materials
The Material Petal is about a conscientious and scrupulous way of constructing buildings. With standards on material qualities, carbon footprint, responsible industries and economy sources this petal leads the way in a comprehensive and holistic approach in making architecture. Towards an architecture that goes beyond a building as an image but a building that serves its community by diligently employing local sources.
Red List
In order to build for today and the future we need to be critical of the actual process of how our materials are made of and what they contain. A first process in the choice of assembling the Green Bastards Food Hub it was avoiding all materials and chemicals that are considered dangerous to humans and therefore to nature. The Green Bastards Food Hub is built with natural materials; no red list ingredients can be found into the building.
Any construction is an action and as most human actions it provokes the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. By carefully looking at the building process for the Green Bastards Food Hub, the use of recycled materials has been maximized and the choices towards materials that into a time frame perspective are carbon effective was critical.
Responsible Industry
All the industries employed into the production of the Green Bastards Food Hub are leader in their own field. Sharing the Green Bastards approach of a coherent, environmentally friendly and graceful architecture. Nonetheless, the carbon dioxide caused from the construction will be amortized by new trees planting.
Living Economy Sourcing
A building that serves its community does not do it only after its construction but it starts to do it at the very early moments, when it is being built. The Green Bastards Food Hub employed for more than half local industries and uses local materials, in order to move and push the economy further.
Net Positive Waste
The use of recycled materials is a practice mostly forgotten by the normal economy of construction. By reusing materials, we reduce waste from the demolition of the already present structure. The construction techniques are the most efficient possible and the waste is very limited. Any waste caused from the construction will be then redirect to the Las Vegas Recycling Center.
Equity
The equity petal intents to break down barriers and create an all-inclusive community. Not only is the GB Food Hub participating in these programs, but the design team, contractors and material suppliers are encouraged to partake as well. The building itself is helping foster these environments by moving away from the vehicle scale and focusing more on the human scale. For more information on how this petal’s imperatives were achieved please read below.
Human Scale + Humane Places
One way to eliminate the automobile centric nature of Las Vegas is to make it difficult to park a car. The GB Food Hub has on-site parking only for visiting farmers and the company owned electric vehicles. Visitors can park on the street or in a garage a few blocks away.
Universal Access to Nature & Place
Being located in the heart of the 18b Arts District allows GB Food Hub guests to experience the local arts scene more frequently, as opposed to only visiting during First Friday. Due to this increase in foot traffic, the building provides ample amounts of shade from the harsh desert sun, without blocking the daylighting efforts of the surrounding businesses. For more on daylighting and fresh air intake please see the Health & Happiness petal.
Equitable Investment
Even though the GB Food Hub is a major community driver, it is still important to give back to those less fortunate. The organizers have donated $400k to the ILFI’s Living Equity Exchange Program, which directly funds renewable infrastructure for charitable enterprises.
JUST Organizations
Not only is the GB Food Hub a transparent organization, but all of the parties involved in the design and construction have opened themselves up to society. All of the architecture and engineering firms, as well as the contractors and material suppliers have participated in the JUST program. This is a way of informing the public about a company’s diversity, equity, safety, benefits and stewardship initiatives.
Beauty
The Green Bastards live and promote a beautiful place for food.
