Genzyme

view of the glass roof from the first floor

Today we visited the Genzyme Corporation headquarters located in Kendal square. Despite being a major office building Genzyme is an LED platinum-certified building. One way the Genzyme building accomplishes this is by using 40% less energy than a standard building, by using 100% renewable energy sources, and by being very water-efficient. One cool way in which Genyzme uses reneable energy is by using the waste produced by a nearby powerplant to create energy. This waste would otherwise be carbon emmited into the atmosphere. The Genzyme building also recieved the platinum certification because it is very well insulated and lets in a lot of outside air and light creating a healthy work environment that does not feel indoors.

 

Artists for Humanity

Artists For Humanity

Today we went to visit the Artists for Humanity’s building which is the only LEED platinum certified building in Boston. Here, thanks to Shayne, we learned about all the enviormently friendly things they do to help the community. Artists for Humanity is an afterschool program where the kids create different kinds of art which are also eco-friendly (they use acrilic paints and recycled products). The building is built underground and the grass and concrete outside is there to absorb rain water and reflect sunlight. The equipment in the building was mostly manual, the cooling system was done by a huge fan sucking out all the warm air out then someone was to open the windows for the night so the cool air could come in, then the ceiling fans were turned on to distribute the cold air through out the building.