Eleven years after the 9/11 attacks, the World Trade Center rebuilding process is in full swing. The new WTC buildings will feature plenty of sustainable attributes that maximize energy efficiency, reduce waste and improve quality of life.
According to the official World Trade Center website, World Trade Center Towers 2, 3 & 4 are striving to achieve a U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification, as well as meet other Sustainable Design Guidelines and goals.
The buildings will also include the following green design features:
- WTC 2, 3 & 4 will offer tenants the ability to provide direct daylight and outside views for more than 90% of their regularly occupied space.
- Full-height low-iron glass will allow tenants to reduce energy costs by installing daylight dimming controls.
- A high percentage of WTC 2, 3 & 4’s core-and-shell electricity needs will come from renewable energy.
- In a typical business year, electricity costs at WTC 2, 3 & 4 will be approximately 35% lower than in a generic Manhattan office building, due in part to a power purchase agreement with New York Power Authority.
- Environmental innovations at WTC 2, 3 & 4 exceed traditional office buildings, such as:
- High-efficiency cooling/heating systems (beyond current code requirements), with high- efficiency filters in all A/C units to improve indoor air quality;
- Use of paints that are low in volatile organic compounds;
- High-efficiency plumbing systems that will reduce water consumption throughout the building by at least 30%;
- Collection of rainwater from the roof for the replenishment of the cooling tower;
- Carbon dioxide sensors throughout the building;
- No use of ozone-depleting HCFC refrigerants;
- Building materials that will include post-consumer recycled content;
- A minimum of 50% of the building’s wood will be certified as sustainably harvested;
- A Commitment to establishing a preferred parking program for fuel-efficient vehicles.
In order to improve quality of life for those who work in the downtown area, and to mitigate smog, acid rain, and water pollution, the construction process of rebuilding the TWC is green as well. Through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Project, ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel will be used in combination with innovative filter technologies to reduce diesel emissions from heavy construction equipment by as much as 90%.
Photo credit: Joe Woolhead