3_Climate Responsive Architectures
3a_The Green Building / (fer) studio
The Green Building in Louisville, Kentucky, was home to a dry-goods store for decades starting in the 1890s. In its adaptive reuse, the building is now designed to outperform Kentucky energy codes by up to 65 percent. A semi-enclosed outdoor courtyard is partially shaded by a canopy of 81 solar panels.
- The masonry shell was sealed with inert recycled insulating materials.
- The original window openings, that had been filled in with cinder blocks, were restored with low-e insulated glass.
- Geothermal heating and cooling system; an 1,100-gallon (4,200-liter) ice storage cooling system; an energy-recovery unit;
- Vegetated roof;
- Rainwater collection for irrigation;
- Daylighting and views in 95 percent of regularly inhabited spaces;
- Exterior louvers on the south side for sun mitigation;
- Use of recycled-content materials;
- Reuse of bricks;
- Reuse of existing old-growth wood members for framing, flooring, and furniture.
Located in the city's distressed East Market district, The Green Building has helped revitalize the area with a gallery, event space, offices, conference room, and cafe.