Renovation of Office Space Using Green Products
The office spaces have been renovated using as many green building techniques as possible. They include:
- All low-VOC paints used throughout interior. Paint purchased locally from Vermont Paint Company.
- (4) Reclaimed doors including custom-milled doorjambs and trim from recycled Douglas Fir timbers acquired from ReSource on first floor. The doors, jambs and trim on doors all treated with experimental whey-based wood preservative developed at the University of Vermont. This product is now known as the commercially-available product, Vermont Natural Coatings.
- Construction waste management grant awarded by Vermont ANR which allowed an intern to track and document the building waste stream during renovations.
- The front reception area on the first floor has a concrete floor that was refinished using a floor sander and Bioshield non-petroleum floor covering made from natural oils, waxes and lead-free driers.
- Second floor carpeting is industrial recycled carpeting (being installed now)
Daylighting for Improved Hallway Lighting using Recycled Doors
The rear hallway for three offices on the west side of the building was very dark and required electricity for lighting, even during the day. The hollow-core doors that contained no windows where changed out with solid doors that allow light to pass from the offices into the hallway. These doors cut electrical consumption and provide better lighting for higher office productivity.
Installation of Thermal Blinds on all External Windows
Thermal blinds were installed to decrease heating and cooling loads. These blinds were manufactured locally by Gordon Blinds in Essex, VT. They also help with better daylighting quality and ensure a higher comfort level for all tenants leading to increased productivity. Tenants can control the blinds from the top down as well as the conventional bottom up to achieve greater privacy / security while still getting natural daylight into their office.