Energy Monitors

New No Rio is designed to be built and operated with a minimal impact to the environment. The building will be constructed of or contain many of the now standard sustainable building features. One of the more technical aspects, and also where EWB-NY has a larger stake, is with the building MEP systems.

EnergyFlow Monitor

As a means to measure and verify building performance, and also as a tool to educate the building users and general public, we are recommending the installation of a Noveda energy monitor. Installed in the main lobby or other central location, Noveda offers software that is visually engaging and clearly demonstrates energy consumption patterns.

Carbon Footprint Monitor


SunFlow Monitor

Products offered by Noveda include EnergyFlow Monitor, Facilimetrix, SunFlow Monitor, and Carbon Footprint Monitor. Noveda's products offer the following:

- Monitor and track whole building energy consumption
- Benchmark building's current energy consumption against a comparative Energy Star building model, building energy model, previous utility bills, or energy reduction target
- Store historical data and reports of electrical consumption, demand, weather and other critical elements
- Establish your building's carbon footprint
- Track the impact of energy savings initiatives
- Achieve LEED performance measurement, enhanced metering and measurement, and verification credits
- Inspire employees to conserve energy

LEED Certification

Since it's inception, the ABC No Rio: New No Rio project has been sustainability oriented. Even before programming was addressed, conservation, efficiency, and awareness were paramount to the client. It was only determined later that the design concepts and client desires aligned perfectly with the LEED application.

Part of EWB-NY's role - besides providing engineering services - is to manage the LEED Certification process. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design "encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools." With several rating systems available, our project will pursue a New Construction certification.

LEED - is a third party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
LEED - gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings' performance.
LEED - promotes a whole-building approach by recognizing five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection & waste management, and indoor environmental quality.

Working Groups

Project Team Begins Preliminary Design Phase, Forms Working Groups

At our second meeting, we formed smaller Working Groups. The meeting was held on 10/2 at Phebe's Bar, and the informal vibe helped the group members to get acquainted and plan the next steps for the project.

Each Working Group is focused on a particular aspect of the project. Paul suggested we should aim to deliver preliminary calculations, drawings, and cost estimates by end of December. Working Groups can coordinate and share documents using our new project website: http://ABC.ewbNY.org

The Working Groups include:

+ Mechanical: Heating & Ventilation
+ Solar photovoltaic, lighting, and misc. electrical
+ Green roof
+ Water conservation: site/civil, storm water, & water efficiency
+ LEED Application
+ Structural (facade & roof)

Volunteers needed for:

+ Acoustic, noise control
+ Sprinkler
+ Insulation system

The team is off to a great start, and there is still room for more volunteers. Email me if you are interested in lending a hand. ABC@ewbNY.org The next project meeting will be announced by 10/15.

Project Kickoff Meeting

First project meeting held at office of Paul Castrucci

About a dozen people showed up yesterday for the first project meeting at Paul's office. The multi-disciplinary group included engineers, a landscape architect, a lawyer, a mechanical engineering student, and the architectural consultants.

We engaged in a lively discussion of some of the project's technical issues, focusing mostly on feasibility of the sustainable designs. We also had a chance to tour the existing ABC No Rio building.

Project Presentation

Project architect Paul Castrucci presents ABC No Rio project to Engineers Without Borders

Paul presented the project, along with associate architect Grayson Jordan, during the EWB Chapter meeting yesterday. Castrucci Architects are serving as ABC No Rio's architectural consultants, and we are excited to be collaborating with them. Paul has over twenty years experience, and has designed or renovated over 1,000 dwelling units and numerous historic buildings and cultural institutions. Paul specializes in contextual, sustainable and energy-efficient design. One of his buildings can be seen right down the block at 179 Rivington Street.

Paul has also been involved in the cultural milieu of which ABC No Rio is part. He was co-founder of the Bullet Space gallery and squat and is the architect for several of the formerly squatted buildings on the Lower East Side now being developed as limited-equity coops. Paul's commitment to sustainable and energy-efficient design resonates with ABC No Rio's institutional values. His understanding of what is unique about ABC No Rio serves us well in designing a new space for our projects and programs.

New Project

Sustainable Building Design for ABC No Rio

EWB is seeking volunteers to help design a Green building, which will house a community center for art and activism on the Lower East Side. Paul Castrucci will present this new EWB project located in New York City.

Everyone is welcome, especially those with design experience in: energy and water efficiency and conservation; use of local and recycled materials; use of less toxic (low VOC) materials; recycling of materials from demolition; creation of a green roof; and use of both active and passive solar technologies.

ABC No Rio is a collectively-run center for art and activism. Since 1980, the group has been involved with community programs such as Books Through Bars and Food Not Bombs. It is a community committed to social justice, equality, anti-authoritarianism, autonomous action, collective processes, and to nurturing alternative structures and institutions operating on such principles.

For more information, visit: http://www.abcnorio.org/