Charlestown, RI: Oyster Works, the architect and project manager of the new Charlestown Package Store, has crafted a model for eco-friendly, energy-efficient commercial design in the town’s Traditional Village district. This forward-thinking, sensibly green build combines myriad energy-efficient products with local labor to reduce the environmental impact of the building, boost the impact on the local economy and reduce operating costs. Today, the firm highlighted the store as an example of how small businesses can be proactive and “sensibly green” in their approach to yield a return on investment within a short time frame.
“Smart design combined with energy-efficient building materials and methods is a win for the business owner, a win for the environment and a win for the local economy. Unfortunately, many business owners might dismiss the idea of energy efficient building as too costly. However, sensibly-green construction costs less than people imagine and makes business more profitable,” said Andrew Baer, Oyster Works partner and project manager. “The Charlestown Package Store showcases a successful build that allows a business owner to do his or her part to protect the environment, reduce dependency on fossil fuels and reduce operating costs in the process. It is truly a ‘sensibly green’ approach.”
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“Sensibly Green” Begins with Understanding the Environment and the Business
The incorporation of environmentally friendly attributes was paramount for the package store build and began with Oyster Works’ understanding of the site and the needs of the business. Baer and Megan Moynihan, Oyster Works partner and architect, insist that understanding the business first allows the firm to assist owners in making smart, practical decisions that may be incorporated into the design from day one. This saves time and money.
After studying the business and location, Oyster Works, which boasts a step-by-step blog at charlestownpackagestore.oysterworks.net, incorporated permeable paving stones, granite pillars salvaged from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and dark-sky compliant lighting together with a mortise and tenon timber frame to anchor the store in tradition in the historic district.
The package store is sided with NuCedar siding, made of recycled, no-maintenance, PVC and covered with a solar reflective ceramic coating, allowing for maximum heat retention. The roofs are Energy Star rated and the pioneering use of Climate-Block, EPS wall and roof panels provide a tight, well-insulated building envelope, while a geothermal system will heat, cool and dehumidify the store. The geothermal system, which eliminates any need for oil or gas in the building, required digging three 450-foot deep wells that tap into the earth’s 50-degree temperature for its energy. The unique design allows the store to recapture the heat generated by the store’s beer coolers and use it to warm the building and Warmboard radiant heat delivers even, comfortable heat through the floors. While strategic window placement takes advantage of outside light and ventilation, the store contains LED fixtures offering 80 percent more efficiency than incandescent bulbs and are computer-controlled to adjust to the natural light.
Baer believes “sensibly green” may be different for each business. “What made sense for this build was using a tight, well-insulated envelope together with a geothermal system and state-of-the-art, energy efficient siding and flooring. It is a model for eco-friendly, energy-efficient commercial design and development in Rhode Island, but what was right for this business may not be right for all businesses. A small business must consider location, energy needs, business methods and budget to evaluate what will provide the best return on investment. That said, all businesses should be aware that green is doable and beneficial to their bottom line,” Baer said.
Baer noted that the owner of the package store invested 11 percent more than traditional building costs to create an energy efficient building and expects to offset much of the cost through tax incentives and the savings realized through an approximate 40 percent reduction in annual energy costs.
The Design
The design of the new store, created by Moynihan, is a modern take on a classic look. The designer/architect took into consideration the historic district in which it sits, the tender environment that surrounds it, the quantity and types of products sold and the subtle integration of the many wires, pipes and wells that comprise its inner operating systems.
“The Charlestown Package Store sites right in the middle of the Traditional Village District and our sensibly-green design marries traditional forms with energy-efficient technologies and building systems,” said Moynihan.
Baer concluded, “We are fortunate to work with a business owner who truly understands the impact an eco-friendly, energy efficient design has not only on the environment, but on the bottom line of the business. We hope our build will showcase to small business owners that good design with deference to the environment and a commitment to energy efficiency can be affordable and in fact, pay huge dividends in the future.”
About Oyster Works
Oyster Works provides Integrated Project Delivery and a “sensibly green” approach for each client. As architects, the Oyster Works team works with clients to help them realize their vision by developing a plan that will serve their needs and meet their budget. As project managers and general contractors, Oyster Works is responsible for the entire project and works directly with subcontractors, material suppliers, and state and local officials. By combining both functions, the firm provides a single point of contact, increases efficiency, and saves clients both time and money.
For more information visit: www,oysterworks.net or www.charlestownpackagestore.oysterworks.net.
