Project Description
FROM THE ARCHITECTS:
Located at the edge of east river, the LES Ecology Center occupies the two-story, former Marine Engineer Co. 66 Fire Boat House. In fall 2019, B-KD and Transsolar Klima Engineering provided an analysis of the building based on the programmatic needs and their desire to become a sur-plus energy consumption operation. The design proposes all heavily used programs facing south to be exposed to wind in summer and sun in winter and use of geothermal for heating and cooling to reduce energy consumption. An 80m2 solar panel tilted for optimum sun exposure will be located at the roof which will provide necessary energy. Surplus energy will be restored in Tesla battery packs which are placed in the tower of the building The existing vertical window in the tower will turn into a battery indicator, displaying how much energy the building has at any given time. The space underneath the tiled solar panel will be used as a greenhouse.
The project is a case study on how to retrofit an existing building, not only to survive raising water issues, but operate carbon neutral and provide surplus energy.