A VISION FOR A NEW CENTRE Bill Demeter September 2009, St Albans News While I was with my family in Canada and the USA, I spent time visiting community centres, urban villages and local governments, trying to get some ideas that might prove helpful in planning and building our new St Albans Community Centre. In the next few issues I’ll report to you about how these local governments see their role in supporting community centres and resources, how high density urban villages are working, and what innovative ideas are at work in community centres. I’d like to share with you a tour I had that was arranged by Todd Skinner, the manager of the Orinda Community Center, California. I was given a tour of the new Orinda City Hall complex located next to the community centre. This recently completed all-purpose building is unique in almost every aspect of its design and construction. It was delivered on time, within budget (actually below), and done in a manner almost free of bureaucratic red tape and interference. The primary reason this happened was inclusion of all interested parties in a meaningful way from Day One. In another issue I’ll explain this more fully, but here is the story of the Orinda City Hall. In 2004, the City of Orinda funded the building of a new City Hall of some 1300 square metres with a budget of $NZ14.5 million. The essential requirements were: the building be open and friendly; use recycled material wherever possible; and be of low-cost to maintain. Highlights of the building are: ☺ won the coveted Gold rating from the Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED Award). The first USA city to win this award ☺ 80% of the building was made from recycled materials. ☺ air flow design that minimizes the need for heat and air conditioning ☺ natural lighting from windows that open in each office. The walls are insulated with denim fabric cuttings from a factory that makes Levi’s brand jeans. All counter and desk tops are made from sunflower seed hulls mixed with recycled clear plastic bottles. The walls are painted with recycled paint, and floors are cork to retain heat. The beautiful wood beams are not wood but rather wood chips and shavings mixed with plastic; they last longer than wood, retain their shape and require no upkeep. If a room is left vacant for a short time the lights turn off automatically. Photo-voltaic panels on the roof provide enough light that they are able to sell some electricity back to the grid. Employees love their building. I spent time speaking with many of the people, and all were very proud and enjoy working in these surroundings. Several commented that the building had changed their personal views on conservation and recycling. As one said, “I love working here, and to think that 80% of this building is made from what others throw away is mind-boggling. My wife and I have completely changed our thoughts about the house we plan to build.” A woman in the License/Permit office said that, “For some mysterious reason my headaches and sinus problems have virtually disappeared.” I could go on and on about the merits of this building, but the main thing I learned was how getting users, customers and community experts together at the very beginning of the process helped everyone to be very proud of their building. Perhaps this can happen again right here in St Albans. stalbans.gen.nz/pdf/0909SepSANEWS.pdf
Posted on: Sat, 03 Aug 2013 13:24:54 +0000
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