The LEED Platinum-targeted Visionaire condominium tower by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects recently opened in New York City. Image: Courtesy Quinn & Co. Extra Large Image

Boston · 2009.0116
WB Engineers has promoted Michael Quigley, P.E., LEED AP, to principal in the firm's Boston, Massachusetts, office. Since joining the firm in 2001, Quigley has handled such projects as Citibank's "Green to the Core" campaign, which helped new Citibank branches in the Northeast achieve LEED certification. Other clients include Town Sports International Sports Clubs, New Balance Factory Outlet Stores, and JPMorgan Chase.

New York · 2009.0114
Meltzer/ Mandl Architects of New York City has completed the design of The Smith, a new 13-story mixed-use complex in Brooklyn's Boerum Hill neighborhood. The 116,000-square-foot (10,800-square-meter) project comprises a 93-room hotel, 50 residential condominiums, 1,100 square feet (100 square meters) of medical offices, and retail space. The property also features parking and below-grade storage. The exterior is composed of a brick and panelized facade, and the building steps down to four stories along its State Street frontage. The developer is Brooklyn-based Boymelgreen Developers.

Portsmouth · 2009.0113
Kaestle Boos Associates, an architecture firm specializing in the design of schools, police and fire stations, and municipal buildings, has named landscape architect Ken Costello, ASLA, a principal in the firm's Portsmouth, New Hampshire, office. Costello has been with the firm since 1998.

Austin · 2009.0109
Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas has received LEED Platinum certification. Columbus, Ohio-based multidisciplinary firm Karlsberger designed the 470,000-square-foot (44,000-square-meter) hospital, which opened in June 2007.

Windows of varying shapes, sizes, and colors line almost every wall, providing daylight to 80 percent of the facility. Outside the hospital, a 4.3-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant (built and owned by Austin Energy) produces 100 percent of the hospital's electricity, heating, and cooling. Other features include an under-floor air distribution system and reflective roofing and surface pavements.

Sustainable and indigenous building materials included white Texas limestone, concrete with high ash content, recycled glass, and rapidly-renewable cork. The parking lots and garages were constructed with 47,000 tons (43,000 metric tons) of recycled materials from the runway of the airport formerly located on the site.

A three-acre (1.2-hectare), multilevel healing garden is a highlight of the hospital. The landscape architect was Austin-based TBG Partners.

New York · 2008.1210
The Visionaire mixed-use residential high-rise (pictured above) recently opened in Battery Park City, New York City. Rafael Pelli of New Haven, Connecticut-based Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects designed the 35-story, 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) project, which houses 251 residences and also includes 40,000 square feet (3,700 square meters) of office space and 4,000 square feet (370 square meters) of ground-floor retail.

LEED Platinum certification is targeted. The high-performance building envelope consists of terra cotta and glass, with low-E insulated glazing. A 48-kilowatt photovoltaic solar power system is integrated into the building facade. Open floor plans and floor-to-ceiling windows in living rooms transmit ample daylight.

High-efficiency natural gas-fired heaters and microturbine simultaneously generate electricity and hot water. The HVAC system also incorporates high-efficiency pumps and motors and energy recovery technology. A 25,000-gallon- (95,000-liter-) per-day wastewater treatment plant in the basement recycles water to resupply toilets and provide makeup water for the HVAC system cooling tower. The roof garden catchment system harvests up to 12,000 gallons (45,000 liters) of rainwater for irrigation.

Other sustainable features include a high-efficiency air filtration system with a 24-hour indoor air quality monitoring system; occupancy light sensors in common areas; no- and low-VOC paints, adhesives, and sealants; FSC-certified sustainably harvested oak; regionally sourced and recycled-content materials; and water-conserving plumbing fixtures and appliances. Over 85 percent of site construction waste materials were collected and processed for recycling.

SLCE Architects of New York City served as building architect.

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