Overview

• Location: Greensburg, KS, United States
• Building type(s): Retail, Commercial office
• New construction
• 9,580 ft2 (890 m2)
• Project scope: 2-story building
• Urban setting
• Completed May 2009
• Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v.2.2--Level: Platinum

The City of Greensburg and the USDA's Rural Development team joined forces with MVP Architects, BNIM, and engineering firm PEC to create a new business incubator building to provide affordable office space for small, start-up businesses in the town. Five street-level retail shops and nine second-level professional service offices make up the building; a storm shelter is also included.

Environmental Aspects

The building achieved LEED Platinum certification with greater than 50% energy savings and innovative water-reuse systems.

Strategic window placement, light shelves, and skylights allow most of the incubator to be daylit. A ground-source heat pump uses the moderated temperatures of the ground to provide heat and cooling, and serves an efficient mechanical system, and R-22 walls ensure the building's performance. Roof-mounted photovoltaic panels provide 10% of the building's energy needs.

Water from the building's sinks and showers is collected and reused to flush toilets. Rainwater is collected and used to supplement the graywater system. Rain gardens and other best-management practices for stormwater collection will allow water to naturally re-enter the underground reservoirs in the earth.

Building materials were chosen for storm resistance, durability, and low maintenance. Walls were designed for wind resistance, and a rainscreen system with cement fiberboard panels provides moisture protection.

Owner & Occupancy

• Owned and occupied by City of Greensburg Kansas, Local government
• Typically occupied by 16 people, 60 hours per person per week; and 100 visitors per week, 0.5 hours per visitor per week
• Expected Building Service Life: 50 years

First floor is retail space, and second floor is office space. The building is a city owned business incubator to help local business recover after the tornado.

Building Programs

Indoor Spaces:

Retail general (41%), Other (24%), Office (16%), Restrooms (5%), Conference (4%), Lobby/reception (4%), Electrical systems (3%), Mechanical systems (3%)

Keywords

Stormwater management, Water harvesting, Efficient fixtures and appliances, Graywater, Massing and orientation, Insulation levels, Lighting control and daylight harvesting, Efficient lighting, On-site renewable electricity, Durability, Recycled materials, Daylighting, Moisture control

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