LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk | Design Minimal Investment measures generally pay themselves off in 1-7 years. Thesedecisions--such as using spray foam insulation in the walls and attic, higher efficiency heating and cooling systems, higher performance windows and doors--add upfront cost, but cut energy costs over a number of years. Major Investment measures are usually done for moral or ethical reasons related to the environment and may have a longer payback than 7 years. These may include photovoltaic solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, and greater commitment to material origination and composition. "Once they learn about the benefits of these techniques," Phinney explains,"About 80% of our customers go for it to decrease their maintenance and operational costs." Although Phinney Design Group has designed many custom homes, the firm's "signature" green building is the Bio Building in Tupper Lake. Built on the campus of The Wild Center/Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, the Bio Building houses the biologists that care for the museum's wildlife, as well as providing office space, a maintenance shop, and storage space. The building was designed to reflect the museum's dedication to environmental education. site's 190 solar panels, renewable heat system, recycled flooring, locally-sourced building materials, green roof, and multiple waterefficient systems: rainwater cistern, grey water usage, and storm-water detention ponds. With so much experience in green design, Phinney Design Group incorporates certain green elements into their projects as a standard. This is the case for The Sagamore Resort, on Lake George in Bolton Landing. When PDG first started working for The Sagamore, the upgrades were mostly aesthetic to maintain the historic character of the resort hotel. Over time, PDG has also incorporated more sustainable building products, such as energy efficient heating/cooling systems, water-reducing fixtures, high levels of insulation (where often there was none), energy efficient coated glass, and incorporation of occupancy sensors in certain rooms. Many of these "upgrades" addminimal cost during the renovations, but can yield high operational returns on investment; projects typically can yield a 30%-40% reduction in operation and maintenance costs. Although Phinney Design Group has a diverse portfolio of projects that aim primarily to meet the needs of their clients, the one thread that ties their various projects together is the care taken to be conscious of the environment while designing buildings that are both beautiful and functional. R The Natural History Museum attained LEED Silver certification in 2008, becoming the first LEED-certified building in the Adirondack Park and the first LEED-certified museum in New York State, and won an Adirondack Park Design in Excellence award in April 2013. The museum highlights the "green" aspects of the building in its educational programming, offering a complete staff-led tour of its environmentallyconscious systems. The walking tour includes explanation of the PRIVATE RESIDENCE: Located within the city of Saratoga Springs, this barn-inspired home obtained LEED Platinum certification by incorporating sustainable features such as a photovoltaic array, solar hot water, rain water harvesting, and drought tolerant landscaping. LOCALadk Magazine Summer 2013 45

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