Striving for Sustainability: The Green Square Complex

Green and Gold

March, 10, 2008 , by Tim

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The 98 million dollar public-private partnership project Green Square, signed into legislation by Gov. Easley in August of 2005, is nearly underway downtown. Under the legislation, almost a full city block was sold to the State Employees Credit Union for $1 in exchange for their financial backing and development of the project. Green Square will run the length of 2 blocks along Jones St. and will be erected between Dawson St. and Salisbury St. Glassed-in pedestrian skyways will connect the buildings over McDowell and Salisbury. The Green Square complex will be composed of a 4-story, 95,000 square foot Nature Research Center that serves as an extension of the Museum of Natural Sciences, a 170,000 square foot building housing offices for roughly 615 employees of the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources, a 60,000 square foot State Employees Credit Union financial services center, and a parking deck providing 700 spaces. The museum expansion will also be funded in part by a private capital campaign spearheaded by the Friends of the Museum and will also see support from Wake Co. and the city of Raleigh, who have pledged 6 million dollars in meal and hotel taxes. 

The first step of the project will be the demolition of several brick buildings, which according to a sign posted on the corner of Jones and Salisbury, will be conducted in a sustainable manner by reusing demolition materials and recycling construction materials. The sign also boasts that applied energy-efficient building technology, monitoring for potential wind and solar energy, and monitoring for rainwater retention and runoff will begin soon. Rumor has it the complex will strive for a Gold LEED standard. The Green Square Complex is slated to open in 2010.


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  • PackGuy
    03/12 07:31 PM

    Who by chance is the architect for this project.  I’d love to know who is doing Gold LEED design in Raleigh or if an out of town firm is partnering with a local firm.

  • Tim
    03/12 07:52 PM

    Andrew Merriell & Associates of New Mexico worked with E. Verner Johnson & Associates of Massachusetts to develop an Interpretive Concept Plan.

  • Rusty
    03/12 09:01 PM

    With the amount of design-talent inside North Carolina, it’s a shame to see developers look elsewhere first.

  • vanessa
    08/26 10:24 PM

    I agree Rusty, it seems they would’ve used the college kids, or the many engineering schools in NC to acquire a concept plan

  • Enigma
    08/27 12:19 AM

    I totally agree!  Why wasn’t one of our home grown design firms (or college kids) with a proven track record of $100 million dollar projects, with GOLD LEED ratings, with a portfolio full of nationally acclaimed award winning museums chosen?

  • Rusty
    08/27 01:43 AM

    I wasn’t speaking of design kids. If you think there isn’t a proven track record of $100 million dollar project firms in North Carolina, I’d venture to say that you’re mistaken.

    Clearly designing a museum in Raleigh is the same as designing a museum anywhere else. Why on Earth would we want to involve someone familiar with local culture, Architecture, and for that matter support our local economy? We’re talking about AWARD WINNING ARCHITECTURE HERE!!!

    smile

  • Graham
    03/11 05:19 PM

    who is the owner for this project? Is it split up between wake county and the city of raleigh?

  • Meg
    04/09 11:49 AM

    O’Brien Atkins Associates out in RTP has partnered with Fentress Architects of Denver to design this project.  Andrew Merriell & Associates is consulting for the exhibit designs.  OBA has hired my firm, Thorburn Associates, (out here in Morrisville) as an Acoustics, Technology and Sound Masking consultant.  Never fear, local talent is being utilized!

  • Melebincjaica
    11/02 06:16 AM

    <a >Dyson Bladeless Fan</a>
    But in fact, the device, which carries the vaunting title of Dyson Air Multiplier, is something much more common: a fan

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