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Roof terrace.

with structural strength and ability to be disassembled in the but it is much less green than solutions that WM+P typically
future for reuse. Since it does not require a coating or cover uses and strongly promotes.
material for fire resistance, CLT is typically exposed as the finish The Co|Lab has already hosted an assortment of projects.
material, illustrating a McDonough principle that, wherever A mockup of a “biomasonry” rain-screen is testing the
possible, a building component should serve multiple functions. promise that brick tiles, infused with certain specific bacteria,
Photovoltaic (PV) panels were a necessity to meet the net- can actually grow or regrow themselves. There is a full-scale
zero-energy goal, but the exact quantity required considerable mockup of a hospital room to test ideas of how best to treat
calculation—and then recalculation, as new products became hazardous material contamination cases. A “hololens” (a
available. Ultimately the 2,800-square-foot array is a good VRAR—virtual and augmented reality—application tool) is
notch smaller than originally assumed, thanks to increases in being developed that allows a person to look at a wall and
PV efficiency. In another illustration of the multiple-functions “see” the piping and conduits hidden within. (HITT and WM+P
principle, the panels also provide shelter and shade for a roof provided the inputs so that visitors to the Co|Lab can try it out,
terrace. aiming at any wall of the facility.) An upper-level mezzanine
To maximize efficiency and user comfort, two different space has the first test installation of a resilient flooring product
types of HVAC systems were used. A specialized VRF (variable by Shaw made from recycled PET plastic bottles.
refrigerant flow) system provides a high-efficiency version of The ability to disassemble and reuse building components
the traditional “split” or “heat pump” system, while a separate is a central principle of Cradle to Cradle, but in this case, it
hydronic system of under-slab pipes keeps the slabs from feeling also reflects a real estate practicality. It’s entirely possible
cold and evens out the temperatures in the tall main space. that the Co|Lab site may be redeveloped in the not-so-distant
Unfortunately, and much to WM+P’s dismay, Fairfax future. It is located about a half-mile from the Dunn Loring-
County was unwilling to be flexible about the previously- Merrifield Metro station, and the area is starting to transition
approved parking plan: It was necessary to cover most of the from low-density, auto-centric development to medium-density,
open area of the site with paving. WM+P specified the greenest transit-oriented development. In 20 years or so, HITT may
of paving options, CarbonCure concrete, which uses post- want to increase density on the site. One has confidence that if
industrial carbon dioxide in the concrete mix, largely offsetting HITT sponsors construction of a “Co|Lab|2” on another site, it
the substantial CO2 created by the manufacture of cement. A will use components from the current building and showcase
cistern alleviates the worst of the stormwater runoff problem, innovations that even WM+P can barely conceive of nowadays.

IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN 39