Project Name: Regenerative Architecture - The Design of a High-Performance Building.
Project Type: Residential Project
Description:
By utilizing Permaculture Principles with Bioclimatic Design, the result will be a climate-responsive mixed-use building in Philadelphia that lowers energy consumption and increases occupant well-being.
FORM DEVELOPMENT
Urban Raised Park
Roof Community Garden
This section of the building shows a cohesive strategy for sustainability, incorporating rainwater harvesting, elevated urban parks, energy recovery through solar panels, and local food production. Water is collected from the rooftop and terraces, using green roofs and storage systems to capture and repurpose it for irrigation and non-potable applications, thus decreasing dependence on municipal water supply and alleviating stormwater runoff. The elevated urban park, situated on an upper level, offers essential green space for both residents and the surrounding community, fostering physical activity, relaxation, and social interaction, while also enhancing biodiversity and mitigating the urban heat island effect. It also helps with improving the air quality that enters the building. Solar panels mounted on the roof generate renewable energy, fulfilling part of the building’s energy requirements and reducing its carbon footprint. Moreover, designated spaces for urban agriculture, including rooftop gardens and terrace plots, empower residents to cultivate fresh produce on-site, encouraging food security, community involvement, and sustainable living practices. Collectively, these elements form a resilient and environmentally conscious development that optimizes the advantages of green infrastructure within a densely populated urban environment.
Rooftop solar panels produce 382,222 kWh annually, satisfying 14% of the building's overall yearly energy requirement of 2,825,649 kWh. This contribution greatly reduces reliance on grid electricity and aids the building in achieving its sustainability objectives.
Final EUI reduced to 21.6 Kbtu/sf.
