On 5/25/2017 Gary Stephenson of the Houston Sierra Executive Committee was pleased to join the NASA Sustainability Working Group for a tour of the 609 Main property in downtown Houston, recently submitted for LEED Platinum Certification.
609 Main is a high-rise property built by the Hines Construction Company and jut recently opened in downtown Houston. The tour was organized by Stacy Shutts of the NASA JSC Sustainability Group, pictured in figure 1.
Figure 1, the NASA Sustainability Group with touring guests (Sustainability Lead Stacy Shutts third from left, Gary Stephenson of Sierra Club Houston ExCom sixth from left)
The tour featured the design attributes required for LEED Platinum Certification, including energy savings features, the use of water saving and recycling, the use of recycled materials. A model of the 609 Main building appears in figure 2.
Figure 2, a model of the 609 Main building, (with Nancy Gossett of Chevron Environmental Mgt Co)
The building features LED lighting in all public areas and office areas for a high degree of energy efficiency, and shown in figures 3 and 4.
Figure 3, the use of LEDs in public spaces, 609 Main
Figure 4, the use of LEDs in office spaces, 609 Main
Air conditioning is centrally handled on each level with ductless underfloor positive pressure forced air, as shown in figure 5a, and laminar hot air returned along the external ceiling to floor windows, figure 5b.
Figure 5, Underfloor ductless air supply (a) with over window laminar return (b)
Other passive cooling features that help reduce energy use and improve efficiencies include vertical garden features and passive cooling columns, both shown in figure 6, and heat absorbing water features such as the reflecting pool shown in figure 7.
Figure 6, Passive cooling features: vertical gardens (a) and vertical cooling columns (b)
Figure 7, Heat absorbing reflecting pool as a passive cooling feature
Other highlights of the tour include a walk thru of the fitness featuring sustainably grown and harvested wood paneling, shown in figure 8, and a view of the greenscaped parking levels, figure 9, using water free astroturf and artificial plants and trees.
After the tour many stayed for a “green drinks” session across the street from 609 Main at the Flying Saucer. This correspondent hopes to catch many more of these green drink events that develop awareness of environmental sensitivity in a fun, friendly, and socially responsible way.
Figure 8, Sustainably harvested wood paneling in fitness center, 609 Main
Figure 9, Low water greenscaped parking roof, 609 Main