Design and Sustainability
Design Considerations
- First and foremost, BotEco's design will maximize cost-effectiveness, constructability, and practicality. The design of the structure will also seek to minimize the long-term costs of operation and maintenance.
- Historical preservation is one of BotEco's 4 pillars; it's critical that the Center's design honors the history of the Lower Harbor Ore Dock and preserves the rustic look of the existing structure.
- As a public space, the Ore Dock BotEco Center must be designed and constructed so it is accessible and welcoming to community members from all backgrounds and with all abilities.
Ideas for Innovation and Sustainability
While maximizing cost-effectiveness, BotEco's design and construction will take into account the short- and long-term impact of the Center's construction and operations through sustainable planning and features such as:
While maximizing cost-effectiveness, BotEco's design and construction will take into account the short- and long-term impact of the Center's construction and operations through sustainable planning and features such as:
- Conducting detailed life cycle costing
- Sourcing materials and labor locally during construction, operation, and maintenance
- Using low-VOC building materials
- Incorporating passive and active solar-energy and/or wind-energy infrastructure
- Maximizing positive community health effects through increased exposure to green spaces
- Building a wave-energy generation system to convert the movement of Lake Superior's water into clean electricity
- Harvesting rainwater
- Incorporating smart building technology
Giving Back
At its best, sustainability means more than simply maintaining an environment in stasis; it means being a contributing member to make an ecosystem or community even better. BotEco will actively benefit the community by:
At its best, sustainability means more than simply maintaining an environment in stasis; it means being a contributing member to make an ecosystem or community even better. BotEco will actively benefit the community by:
- Providing short-term jobs for development and construction
- Creating long-term jobs for maintenance and operations
- Boosting the local economy with by encouraging year-round tourism
- Donating produce and other flora grown in the botanical gardens
- Hosting community workshops
- Balancing admissions fees and free hours (with a suggested donation)
- Housing an educational space and student laboratory
- Encouraging community health with access to green spaces, arts venues, and the outdoor promenade