John Olver Transit Center / Charles Rose Architects
Textual content material description provided by the architects. The John W. Olver Transit Center, positioned in Greenfield, MA, is the first net-zero transit coronary heart within the US. It was funded partially by the FTA and ARRA. Since its completion, the 24,000 SF intermodal transit hub has launched high-performance design to Franklin County, demonstrating a dedication to sustainability and ethical design. The problem serves as a depot for regional and interstate bus strains, a station for AMTRAK’s Vermonter and Valley Flyer strains, and an office for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments. The problem acquired a 2023 AIA COTE Excessive 10 award.
From xeriscaping to sustainable utilized sciences, this problem brings a broad range of ecological and environmental values to the heart of the neighborhood. The design course of fostered a multidisciplinary effort that inbuilt engineering, developing experience, construction, and panorama construction proper right into a seamless, holistic design. Architectural design alternatives benefited from real-time energy modeling solutions, ensuing within the optimization of kind and orientation, fenestration, and strategies. Thermal modeling of particulars was built-in all by the design course of to take away thermal bridging.
Together with a high-performance envelope and decreased energy a whole lot, passive design strategies embody daylighting, thermal mass temperature regulation, inside and exterior shading, a photograph voltaic wall for preheating make-up air throughout the winter, and pure air movement. Full of life strategies included 22 geothermal wells, water-sourced heat pumps, chilled beams, energy restoration strategies, and occupant engagement guided by an energy “dashboard.” On-site energy period includes a 98kW photovoltaic array.
The problem provides 24,000 sf of adaptable neighborhood home on the guts of town– areas with non-fixed furnishings all by guaranteeing that the developing could possibly be merely reprogrammed as needed. The home has an open construction and accommodates neighborhood meeting areas, county authorities workplaces, and a regional transit coronary heart. The problem addresses monetary inequality and financial vulnerability, by providing a neighborhood helpful useful resource and entry to public transportation.
