Green architecture, energy efficiency, and environmental education

FIRST “GREEN” MUSEUM IN NEW YORK CITY

Brooklyn Children’s Museum is slated to be New York City’s first green museum, as certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program of the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Museum integrates many of the latest environmentally responsible building materials, systems, and management practices. Wherever possible, the architectural design specified green materials—those made from renewable sources or with high levels of recycled content. In keeping with the Museum’s commitment to education, programs and exhibitions will teach visitors about energy efficiency and environmental conservation.

 

HIGH-PERFORMANCE SUSTAINABLE FEATURES

Geothermal Heating and Cooling System

The new Museum features an innovative geothermal system that draws stable-temperature water from Brooklyn′s underground aquifers to a series of heat pump air handlers that control the temperature of the building.  This system offers significant improvements in energy efficiency over traditional boiler systems and eliminates noisy rooftop chillers and the need for treating waste water.

Solar Energy

Photovoltaic (PV) systems integrated into the building design convert solar energy into electrical power. The solar energy captured through PV panels will offset electrical requirements and provide a dramatic visual demonstration of alternative energy systems for families and school children.

Energy-Saving Sensors

State-of-the-art sensors control the performance of the heating and lighting systems, ensuring the comfort and safety of the Museum’s visitors and reducing energy use at the same time.

Carbon Dioxide Sensors

The museum’s ventilation system automatically adjusts to accommodate the number of visitors in each space at any given time, using sophisticated carbon dioxide sensors and computerized controls. Because air exhaled by human beings contains carbon dioxide (CO2), the level of CO2 in a room rises when more people are present. When this happens, the sensors signal the ventilation system to circulate more air containing oxygen through the space. Conversely, when fewer visitors are in the Museum, the ventilation system will slow down, further reducing energy costs.

Occupancy Sensors

Occupancy sensors that detect the presence of body heat or motion will control the lights in offices, classrooms and restrooms. No people, no lights.  In addition, the general lighting in the Museum uses super efficient, cool-burning low-energy light bulbs.

Daylight Sensors

Daylight sensors regulate the amount of artificial lighting needed at any given time. Photoelectric cells dim indoor lights when there is an abundance of natural light and brighten the electric lighting at night or in cloudy weather.

Renewable and Recyclable Materials

Sustainability is a primary consideration in the choice of finish materials and surface treatments. Special attention is being paid to materials with high levels of renewable or recycled content, including bamboo, cork, rubber and linoleum flooring and carpet.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

In most green buildings, high-performance features are invisible to the occupants. But most green buildings aren’t dedicated to teaching. The Museum will educate its audience about its environmentally friendly building and its high-performance features through a variety of hands-on programs.

Special programs in the planning stages demonstrate how the Museum harvests its solar power and how the heat and light sensors work. Visitors can also learn about renewable resources, such as bamboo—chosen for the Museum’s flooring because it is both durable and one of the world’s fastest-growing plants.

Daily Museum operations for cleaning and trash handling are converting to green and even the Museum’s daily food service, catering, and birthday-party events will feature green tableware, recycled content paper products, and biodegradable cups and plates. 

 

REDUCTION IN OPERATING COSTS

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provided approximately $250,000 towards the cost of the photovoltaic panels and energy analysis.  The New York Power Authority is providing $500,000 of financing for the geothermal mechanical system and other high-performance features. The Museum estimates a savings to the City of New York—which owns the building in which the Museum is housed—of about $100,000 per year in energy costs. 

 

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR GREEN CONSTRUCTION

The City of New York and New York State provided $49 million for the expansion and renovation of the building, including support from the Mayor of the City of New York, the New York City Council and its Brooklyn Delegation, the Brooklyn Borough President, and the Brooklyn Delegation of the New York State Assembly.