|
YRA plants ‘green roof' technology for new terminal
By Carole Cloudwalker
This document was published online on Wednesday, July 18, 2007
It might be “back to the future” for a new $7 million terminal at Yellowstone Regional Airport, which could feature a roof - of which one-quarter is planted with low-maintenance native grass.
“It's called a ‘green roof,' but this one would not be irrigated,” said architect Jim Wertman of CTA Architects in Billings, which is designing the new facility.
Wertman said the idea comes directly from the “soddy huts” pioneers built on the prairie where lumber was at a premium.
He said CTA's own building at 13 North 23rd St. in Billings features a similar roof, but theirs is an irrigated and maintained “roof garden” style outfitted with a barbecue and lawn chairs.
“It works great,” Wertman said.
He said the grass absorbs moisture and reduces storm runoff, and also absorbs heat generated by the “heat island effect” created by the large amount of asphalt surrounding an airport terminal.
The grass concept “is the old technology from when people came out and built their little sod huts,” Wertman said.
Vegetation at this point is planned in three areas, the front of the terminal and two spots at the rear of the facility.
Wertman said the grass is part of planning for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
He said the YRA board agreed to allow up to $100,000 in LEED planning for its new midfield terminal.
The idea is that while some aspects of LEED thinking may cost somewhat more up front, it will result in energy and other savings over time, and could be recoverable cost in the long term.
“Some no-cost things can be done during construction” that will make the new terminal more efficient, Wertman added.
Other LEED concepts such as a special “air handler” that aids in air circulation might cost more initially, but could have paybacks in long-term energy savings, Wertman said.
One aim of YRA's grass roof is low maintenance, though access will have to be provided for, either via a window, roof hatch or simply a ladder, so debris that blows in can be removed periodically.
Use of vegetation on roofs is growing in popularity in Europe as its benefits are being revisited, Wertman said.
Still other LEED aspects of the YRA terminal in planning to date include “daylight lighting” by strategic placement of windows that may be recessed or shaded to block summer heat, but will allow winter sunlight in. This is a passive solar design, the architect said.
The terminal is being planned at about 30,000 square feet, and will feature a second-story cafe so patrons can look out over the airport property while enjoying their meals.
Also on the upper level will be airport offices and the board room, restrooms and possibly some “shell space” for expansion.
Downstairs will be the ticket counters, car rental desks, the security screening area and post-screening waiting areas (with restrooms in the departure lounge, which is now lacking) as well as the baggage claim area and more restrooms.
A driveway will lead to the front entrance of the terminal so passengers can drop off luggage and then move back to the parking area to leave their vehicles.
A special feature of the design is the real interest by the airport board in bringing materials that match those used in downtown Cody or in using materials in similar ways, Wertman said.
He would like to think that a reincarnated Buffalo Bill Cody would feel as at home riding his horse up to the new terminal as he might in going to his old Irma Hotel.
“You get a little of the downtown Cody streetscape” feeling in the new terminal design, Wertman sad.
On Tuesday morning, representatives of the FAA and the Aeronautics Division of the Wyoming Department of Transportation will meet with CTA and airport board representatives to review plans and make suggestions.
At the August YRA board meeting, changes in the design still could be made, and the next step will be a second meeting with terminal tenants to receive input.
Design development will proceed from there, which involves selection of building materials.
The plan is to have the terminal design completed by the end of the year so the board can call for bids in January 2008.
If funding is not available next year, the call for bids be delayed until 2009, Wertman said.
|
Popular Searches
slavemuffin555 wrote on Jul 20, 2007 12:00 AM: