San Mateo County Green Building Awards Announced

The Paulien Strijland and Eric Joustra residence and the Jasper Ridge Field Station have been recognized among the greenest in California. Sustainable San Mateo County, County of San Mateo RecycleWorks, and the local chapter of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) selected these projects as winners in their first

San Mateo County Green Building Awards program.

When Strijland and Joustra renovated their Menlo Park home, they increased floor space by 66%; energy demand, though, rose by only 9%. The house is insulated well with thermally broken aluminum windows and R-40 (RSI-7.0) walls in many areas. By relying on thermal mass, shading, and natural ventilation, the couple was able to eliminate the need for air conditioning. The home was also designed with the future in mind—its flexible floor plan will allow the interior space to evolve as its residents’ needs change.

Stanford University’s Leslie Shao-Ming Sun Field Station at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve relies on energy-efficient design and a 22-kilowatt photovoltaic system to produce more energy than it uses. All but one room in the building are naturally cooled without air conditioning. Native landscaping, a rainwater harvesting system, and waterless urinals minimize the building’s demand for water. Material choices also reflect the building’s green mission. Flyash replaced fully half the cement in the building’s concrete. Certified lumber was used for all framing. The building incorporates numerous salvaged materials, including exterior siding, brickwork, furnishings and casework, and bathroom partitions. “At Jasper Ridge,” Dr. Philippe Cohen, administrative director of the Field Station, says, “we are trying to assure that the price paid for the preserve’s new building is not one more frayed strand in the web of life.”

– JB

For more information:

Jill Boone

County of San Mateo RecycleWorks

650-599-1433

650-361-8220 (fax)

www.recycleworks.org/greenbuilding/localgbldgs.html