Photo credit: David Allee

Overview

• Location: Harris, NY
• Building type(s): Health care, Special needs housing
• New construction
• 28,300 ft2 (2,630 m2)
• Project scope: 2-story building
• Rural setting
• Completed March 2003
• Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v.2/v.2.1--Level: Certified (27 points)

For fifty years the Center for Discovery has created a safe, caring environment to support the intellectual, social, and recreational development of its community. Its 250 full-time residents require constant and specialized medical care, provided at the new Patrick H. Dollard Health Center. This Article 28 diagnostic and treatment facility serves those with profound neurological and developmental impairments who need primary and specialty medical and dental care.

This is the first licensed medical facility for the Center, which includes a residential school for children and an outpatient facility for adults, and also the first in New York State to implement green building standards that meet Department of Health requirements.

Environmental Aspects

Green measures safeguard already fragile health and build a foundation for high-performance healing environments.

The building is 48% more efficient than a building minimally compliant with ASHRAE 90.1 standards due to a ground-source heat-pump system; a tight, high-performance envelope; extensive daylighting; and efficient products and equipment.

A staggered, narrow building footprint and bold fenestration pattern allow public spaces the benefit of daylighting during normal operating hours and reduce artificial lighting use. Structural shading devices and a reflective metal roof are expected to reduce heat gain and air conditioning demands during the summer.

In selecting this site, the Center avoided prime agricultural land, opting instead to infill on a previously abandoned industrial agricultural site. A bucolic pedestrian path system, open pasture, native plants, and farming fields occupy the site.

Environmental health goals that apply directly to healthcare operations were considered at a structural level. Lifecycle assessments for finish materials and furnishings considered downstream health effects in addition to cost and durability.

Owner & Occupancy

• Owned and occupied by The Center for Discovery, Corporation, nonprofit
• Typically occupied by 34 people, 40 hours per person per week; and 40 visitors per week, 3 hours per visitor per week

Building Programs

Indoor Spaces:	Child care, Circulation, Other, Medical treatment, Lobby/reception, Electrical systems, Office, Public assembly, Conference, Mechanical systems, Restrooms
Outdoor Spaces:	Drives/roadway, Parking, Shade structures/outdoor rooms, Other, Interpretive landscape, Pedestrian/non-motorized vehicle path, Wildlife habitat, Restored landscape

Keywords

Design charrette, Training, Green framework, Green specifications, Commissioning, Operations and maintenance, Open space preservation, Stormwater management, Efficient fixtures and appliances, Wastewater treatment, Massing and orientation, Glazing, Airtightness, Passive solar, HVAC, Lighting control and daylight harvesting, Efficient lighting, On-site renewable electricity, Cogeneration, Benign materials, Recycled materials, Local materials, Certified wood, C&D waste management, Occupant recycling, Connection to outdoors, Daylighting, Natural ventilation, Ventilation effectiveness, Thermal comfort, Low-emitting materials