Elizabeth River Project (ERP), a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Va., is working with Work Program Architects (WPA) to develop plans for a new Resilience Lab. The goal of the project is to demonstrate accessible, approachable methods of resilience and sustainability for homeowners, developers, or small business owners.
The 6,460-sf facility will be located on an urban site between Colley Avenue and Knitting Mill Creek. The water side will be redeveloped with a living shoreline and an expansive new educational park and dock that is open to the public for tours.
In addition to offices, meeting and education/recreation spaces, ERP's Resilience Lab will also feature:
— A floating dock that will cater to local university/college students and other partner organizations conducting environmental research
— Amphibious storage buildings with floating foundations
— A circular boardwalk that will allow visitors to walk above the wetlands and living coastline
— An elevated main building with ground-level flood proofing
— A 40kW roof-mounted solar array to supply power to the building
— Site paving that is designed to absorb water from rain and floods
— Green walls that provide passive shading and reduce energy usage
— Bike racks and electric vehicle charging stations
The building will be engineered to withstand flooding and heavy rain events with the potential to serve as a refuge during catastrophic storm events. All primary functions are located above ground with on-site parking and outdoor classrooms located underneath the building. The main floor will house staff work areas and a series of public spaces meant to welcome volunteers and guests for events.
ERP’s Resilience Lab will be the first light commercial Earthcraft Gold Certified building in Virginia. It will be built responsibly so when the facility has run its lifespan it can be easily deconstructed instead of abandoned.
In addition to WPA, the Skanska Integrated Solutions team will provide owner’s representative services and oversee the design and construction of the facility.
Related Stories
Resiliency | Jan 2, 2024
Americans are migrating from areas of high flood risk
Americans are abandoning areas of high flood risk in significant numbers, according to research by the First Street Foundation. Climate Abandonment Areas account for more than 818,000 Census Blocks and lost a total of 3.2 million-plus residents due to flooding from 2000 to 2020, the study found.
Sustainability | Jan 2, 2024
Los Angeles has plan to improve stormwater capture and source 80% of water locally
Los Angeles County’s Board of Supervisors voted for a plan to improve stormwater capture with a goal of capturing it for local reuse. The plan aims to increase the local water supply by 580,000 acre-feet per year by 2045.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 13, 2023
75 top building products for 2023
From a bladeless rooftop wind energy system, to a troffer light fixture with built-in continuous visible light disinfection, innovation is plentiful in Building Design+Construction's annual 75 Top Products report.
Codes and Standards | Nov 27, 2023
Hoboken, N.J.’s street design policies are saving lives
Transportation policies enacted in Hoboken, N.J. over the past several years are paying off in the form of fewer pedestrian deaths and injuries. The city has adopted daylighting, bike lanes, lower speed limits, and intersection redesigns to make its roads safer.
Resiliency | Nov 27, 2023
All levels of government need to act to cope with climate-driven flooding and sea level rise
The latest National Climate Assessment highlights the need for local, state, and federal governments to adopt policies to mitigate the effects of climate-driven flooding and sea level rise, according to a policy expert with the National Resources Defense Council.
Resiliency | Nov 16, 2023
How inclusive design supports resilience and climate preparedness
Gail Napell, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, shares five tips and examples of inclusive design across a variety of building sectors.
Codes and Standards | Nov 10, 2023
Washington state building codes to protect structures from wildfire provoke controversy
New building codes in Washington state intended to protect structures from wildfires are provoking backlash from builders, cities, and environmentalists. Critics charge that the rules that are scheduled to take effect March 15 are confusing, will increase housing costs, and could cause too many trees to be cut down.
Sustainability | Nov 1, 2023
Researchers create building air leakage detection system using a camera in real time
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a system that uses a camera to detect air leakage from buildings in real time.
Resiliency | Oct 19, 2023
Jacksonville unveils 50-year strategy for resiliency to flooding, extreme heat, wildfires
The City of Jacksonville, Fla., recently released plans for Resilient Jacksonville, a 50-year resiliency strategy to reduce the risks from flooding, hurricanes, excessive heat, and wildfires, and to respond better to those events. The plan includes ways to stop the St. Johns River from flooding vulnerable neighborhoods, including those prone to flooding during heavy rain or hurricanes.
Engineers | Oct 12, 2023
Building science: Considering steel sheet piles for semi-permanent or permanent subsurface water control for below-grade building spaces
For projects that do not include moisture-sensitive below-grade spaces, project teams sometimes rely on sheet piles alone for reduction of subsurface water. Experts from Simpson Gumpertz & Heger explore this sheet pile “water management wall” approach.
