Progress Updates for Our New 'Green' Office - Lesson 11 - Below the Surface

Tuesday, January 03, 2012
By Matt Sutter, Chief Executive Officer
In Sustainability

Journey to the Center of the Earth is a classic novel by Jules Verne. It brings up the question what is below the surface that we can not see... the fear of the unknown, the excitement of exploration? This is in the DNA of America and Green Architecture. During the planning and construction of a building, what is below the surface is always a source of fear and excitement. The planning of the new SōL Harris/Day building was no different. However, how we responded to what was below the surface was different.

The SōL Harris/Day site will generate upwards of 32,000 gallons of rain water runoff from the roof and paving areas during a 2" rainfall. The design below the surface had to deal with all of this water. The site was tested to see what type of soil was below the surface and how much water could enter the ground during a heavy rain. These findings were analyzed and became the basis for what is below the surface.

Sand and gravel was found to be present on site. This is good material to build on for roads and driveways. We were able to design a concrete drive without using the typical stone base as would have been required for an asphalt driveway. Extra expense for concrete in lieu of asphalt, but less expense by not using any stone below the surface of the concrete.

The SōL Harris/Day visitor parking area is the key to controlling rain water for the entire site. Located in front between the building and Frank Avenue, the visitor lot consists of brick pavers with several different layers that are below the surface. Below the pavers is a layer of fine stone on which to firmly set the pavers. The next level down is a medium layer of stone followed by stones that are 1" to 2" in diameter, aptly nicknamed 1s and 2s. The 1s and 2s are laid down 15" thick and serve as both a firm base and an underground rainwater holding tank. The large stones create voids below the surface into which water can drain, similar to a jar full of large marbles.

The entire site is designed so that water from the roof, concrete driveways and parking areas will ultimately drain into the brick paver area. The pavers are uniquely designed by the Belden Brick Company with a flared edge that separates one paver from the next by 1/8". This gap allows water to pass between the pavers and find its way below the surfaceto the stone.

The thought that went into the pavers and the stone below the surface allows the SōL Harris/Day site to do away with most underground rainwater piping completely. There are just a few 4" connector pipes to direct water to the paver area. A typical site would have several 12" or larger pipes and several catch basins, all while dumping tens of thousands of gallons of rainwater into the already overloaded county storm sewers. The cost of the stone is more than offset by the reduction of pipes and catch basins creating less cost, beautiful brick pavers and less water leaving the site. Three more "angry" birds killed with one stone.

Matt Sutter
SōL Harris/Day Architecture
msutter@harrisday.com
330.493.3722


Anatomy of Our Team

Brick Supplier
The Belden Brick Company
Wes Sima - 330.456.0031

Installer
Fred Azar Landscaping
330.923.7101 - www.fredazarlandscaping.com

Storm Water Design
Environmental Design Group
Jill Ward - 800.325.7647
https://www.envdesigngroup.com/

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