Trinity Commons Apartments Defines Eco-Luxury Space with Bio-Glass
Trinity Commons apartments in Durham, NC, used Bio-Glass countertops from CaraGreen to help achieve their luxury aesthetic and LEED Silver goal. The developer, Crosland, set out to build a healthy place to live, for both the residents and the earth. Crosland designers selected sustainable surface materials, like Bio-Glass, which is made of 100% recycled glass and fully recyclable. Bio-Glass tops are used for the main reception desk, as well as a communal kitchen area and computer workstations in the lobby.
To improve indoor air quality, Low-VOC paints, carpet adhesive, and eco-friendly insulation were used.
Energy and Water efficiency are a priority inside and outside the building. The development is in an urban infill location, close to Duke University Hospital, two major bus lines, and restaurants, to reduce automobile usage. There are plentiful bike storage racks and preferred parking spaces for low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles. They will even have recharging stations for the Nissan Leaf when it’s available. High levels of lighting controls are in the residential and common spaces to allow occupants to control their lighting needs. When CaraGreen visited, we noticed the bathroom lights were turned off upon entry and there was signage politely asking visitors to keep them off when not in use. Dim hallways use the most energy-efficient light bulbs. Low flow water fixtures, including dual flush toilets and waterless urinals are installed. Native and adaptable drought-resistant plant species were planted to cut down on water usage by 50% and no sod was used. To reduce the heat island effect, there’s shade landscaping, most of the parking deck is under a light colored surface, and there’s a white membrane on the roof to minimize the build-up of heat from solar gain. A customized HVAC system helps reduce ozone depletion by requiring zero use of CFC based refrigerants in the HVAC and refrigerant systems. And, the site was designed to control the amount of light that leaves it and disturbs the neighbors. This improves nighttime visibility and reduces the impact on nocturnal animals.
For more information on Bio-Glass or to request samples, contact us.
