Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City has
undertaken a 1.6 million dollar LEED registered construction project to
preserve the historic church built in 1871 and provide more classroom
and meeting space for the growing congregation.The decision to pursue LEED certification demonstrates Trinity’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and will provide long-term energy and cost savings.
Ann Holton, chairperson of the building committee, says there were several reasons to go for the LEED registration.
“Throughout the two year process of fashioning our project, we had many meetings with representatives of all our ministries and most parish members. Often the issue of trying to make our church as ‘green’ as possible became a theme the committee heard, so it became one of several basic tenets for the project.”
Ann adds, “We are working with
architects that are very active in the LEED movement. They approached
us about the possibility of going through the process, led us in a
workshop about the process and have provided guidance and support
throughout our project. Our contractor has experience with LEED and our
project supervisor is LEED certified.”“Our vestry (lay governing board) also felt very strongly that the LEED process was a way to put our money where our mouth was.”
As parish member Donna Wong Gibbons put it, "LEED certification demonstrates Trinity's commitment to environmentalstewardship in a tangible way. Like the signs and symbols that identify us as Christians and Episcopalians, LEED certification is a sign to visitors and our community that Trinity recognizes its role as a steward of creation. Energy efficiency and cost savings, safer and healthier environments for work and fellowship and an investment for future generations that will call Trinity their spiritual home are long term benefits."
Some of the features of the project that will help Trinity qualify the renovation for LEED registration:
• The original dirt floor undercroft was excavated and a new basement was built with insulated concrete foundation walls. The stone from the original foundation was cut down into a veneer that has been applied to the new foundation walls. The remaining unused stone has been recycled and will be reused as stone fill material.
• The existing exterior organ chamber walls have been insulated to the same extent as the walls of the new construction.
• Furnaces have been replaced with high efficiency furnaces and largeenergy recovery ventilation unit. (ERV is a mechanical ventilation system to bring in fresh air, remove stale air, and provide moisture control.)
• Air conditioning units have been recycled and replaced with high efficiency air conditioning condensers.
• The renovated church has been rewired with new light fixtures that will provide three times the light with one-third the power, and fixtures throughout the new construction areas are high efficiency.
• New recycled content carpet is being installed and all paints have low VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions.
• Nearly ninety percent of the material that was removed from the old space has been recycled, reusing exterior wood siding and decorative trim.
• And as an added bonus, an original stained glass window that had been sealed inside a wall is now restored and reinstalled prominently.
• A bicycle rack will be added to encourage alternative transportation.
For more information contact Ann Holton at holton.ann@gmail.com.