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Innovation and Design: Case Studies

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Headquarters in Maryland is a building that is unique even in the field of green building . It is the only building in America to have achieved the LEED Platinum rating. One article aptly titled, “The Greenest Building in America,” highlights its “cradle -to-cradle” philosophy, showing the building’s use of recycled, recyclable, and regenerative resources and materials.[i] This is definitely a great example of the possibilities of innovative design .

It is the variety and scope of the various techniques that make this building such a success, including rainwater cisterns that collect storm water for hand washing and fire control, composting toilet s, a geothermal heating system, native landscaping , and countless others.[ii] The building stands as a testament to the foundation’s own mission: to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay area. In this way it offers an educational and research opportunity for the different materials and designs the building has incorporated, further adding credibility to green building and educating people about different techniques. Most importantly, this building raised the bar for green building possibilities and shows the benefits of strategic planning and design.

The house of the famous SJU potter Richard Bresnahan is an example of what green building in Minnesota can be. From site placement to material use to energy savings, the result from over a decade of planning and acquiring materials has created a living space that is not only environmentally sound, but connected to the people and place where it stands. Bresnahan has actually acquired many of his materials, including light fixtures and furniture , from the dumpsters of SJU remodeling projects, a perfect example of how a reuse policy is necessary for our campus. His wood came from diseased boulevard trees that were going to be landfilled and poplars that designers said could not be used for building. His attention to every detail of the house is a perfect example of how innovation can not only create an environmentally sound building, but can also save the investor much money.

Most importantly, Bresnahan designed with the intention of being a part of the land and community for years to come. By putting so much time and effort into making sure it was just right, he has ensured that the building will be part of his family and his area so that it is not only a place where they will be able stay, but it will be a part of their history and surroundings as well. He brings students, friends, designers, and countless other individuals to his house to learn from his process and experience. The passing down of knowledge is key to the success of the building, especially because Bresnahan is a teacher and a key member of the CSB and SJU learning community. For further information on his house and his green building philosophy, visit him at his pottery studio, located on the SJU campus. (rbresnahan@csbsju.edu).