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Environmental Consciousness
MADISON’S LARGEST ROOFTOP SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEM ON A COMMERCIAL BUILDING
The 4080 watt photovoltaic (solar-electric) system on the Family Centers building
roof consists of twenty-four Kyocera 170 watt modules mounted on a ballasted roof
top structure. It is integrated directly into our electrical panel with an inverter
- no batteries required. This is the largest photovoltaic system installed on a
commercial building in Madison to date (2005). The system will produce more than
5,000 kWh per year. The energy production will by monitored and posted on
Bonneville Environmental Fund's website
in real time. Compared to burning coal for this electricity, every year Family
Centers photovoltaic system will prevent 12, 500 pounds of carbon dioxide, 90 pounds
of sulfur dioxide as well as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, mercury and other
pollutants from being released into our air. The carbon dioxide savings are
equivalent to planting about 12 new trees per year. The photovoltaic modules
have a 25 year power output warranty. The lifespan is expected to be 40 years or more.
RAIN GARDENS
Family Centers included a number of rain gardens on our property to do our part in
improving local water quality while creating a beautiful natural area that will
attract birds and butterflies. Rain gardens allow rain and snowmelt to seep naturally
into the ground, which help recharge our groundwater supply, and prevents a water
quality problem called polluted runoff. The gardens allow us to use hardy native
species of plants that thrive in our ecosystem without chemical fertilizers and
pesticides, both of which would be harmful to our environment and the children and
families we serve. Because we are featuring native plants, grasses and shrubs, we
use less water and have less maintenance, leaving more time for direct services to
our families while using the gardens to teach valuable environment lessons to
children at the Centers.
RETAINING 50% OF THE OLD BUILDING MATERIALS
We could have moved, we could have torn down the entire building, but instead we
hired creative and environmentally conscious architects who came up with a plan
that now includes 50% remodeled space and 50% new construction. The demolished
materials were carefully recycled where appropriate, and the pervious (porous)
area of the site was doubled to aid proper on-site storm-water management.
Only those who know the property well will be able to distinguish between the
portions of the building that were an old metal factory and the newer professional
and family friendly portions of the building.
MULTI-USE OF SPACE
Creating multiple ways to use one space means less construction, fewer materials and
less energy to heat the space. Two rooms in the building were specifically designed
to be used as office space during the day
and converted into direct program space in the evening. Careful consideration of
the needs of both the clients and the employees resulted in multi-functional space that eliminated the need for two extra rooms.
REUSING, RECYCLING AND RETAINING INTERIOR FURNISHINGS
While we are not dragging battered and broken furniture back into a new building that
is focusing on providing dignity to those who seek services under its roof, we are
reusing as many furnishings, signage, fixtures…as possible and the rest of the
furnishings of slightly used furniture were all donated by local individuals and
businesses. Local businesses which may have tossed their old furniture into a
landfill, are instead giving it to Family Centers to extend its life. Before
tearing down the building, the staff salvaged as much as possible—what was left
was given to the public and salvagers took everything from the broken mirrors in
the bathroom to the garage doors.
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