The August 29th edition of Short Enterprises‘ “Startup Insider” features Natural Systems Engineering. The article discusses NSE’s contribution to the cleanup of Onondaga Lake through our green infrastructure projects and also presents our work in renewable energy. NSE’s designs of green roof, bioretention areas, porous pavements, stormwater infiltration planters (see photograph), green roofs, and rainwater harvesting systems are featured. NSE’s design of a geothermal heating and cooling system for an urban dwelling is also highlighted.
Tag Archives: porous concrete
Green Infrastructure Makes Business Sense
The May 2014 Issue of Stormwater Magazine contains an excellent article on page 44 entitled “Exploring New Partners to Green Our Urban Landscapes.” The article describes how incorporating green infrastructure (GI) into site development can yield a return on investment. Some of the examples cited in the article include:
- The visual amenity afforded by a green roof incorporated into an apartment complex in Boylston MA resulted in an increase in rent of between $300 and $500 a month for those units that overlooked the green roof.
- the DECREASE in the amount of frost heave in porous pavements in Chicago, IL when compared with conventional paved surfaces has resulted in a longer lifespan for the installations making porous pavement the lower cost alternative.
- green roofs double the lifespan of conventional roofs thus incurring savings in roof replacement dollars over a 40 year lifespan.
These examples don’t even consider the possible benefits available through various subsidies for such technology nor consider the relative offset in costs where regulations or ordinances would require stormwater management, whether through GI or conventional measures anyway. More detailed information is contained NRDC’s 2013 report “The Green Edge: How Commercial Property Investment in Green Infrastructure Creates Value” discussed in our January 31, 2014 blog post.
Natural Systems Engineering and Spectra Engineering Team wins County Green Design Contract!
On April 7, 2014, the team of Spectra Engineering (Syracuse, New York) and Natural Systems Engineering was notified of award for RFP No. 13-3330-002 – Green Project Design Professional Services for Onondaga County, New York. The project will involve the design of “green streets” under the County’s award-winning “Save the Rain” program.
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Liberty Green LEED Certified!
NSE provided LEED AP services for the Liberty Green project which was recently awarded LEED-certified status by the USGBC. Liberty Green is located at 906 Spencer Street in the City of Syracuse. Green infrastructure in the form of porous concrete was incorporated for stormwater management into the green design of the site.