Landscape Architect Articles

"Green" Monastery uses Top Design and Landscaping Practices05-11-07 | News

"Green" Monastery uses Top Design and Landscaping Practices

The Sisters of St. Joseph in London, Ontario will be moving into a special new residence this June: a state-of-the-art "green" building promoting the highest standards in energy-efficiency and sustainability. The multi-million-dollar residence for the 100 nuns will likely be given what is the second-highest level of a rating system under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for environmental sustainability.

Once certified, the new monastery will be the first LEED building in London and the 15th or 16th in Ontario. Three standout features of the new structure include a sustainable green roof landscaped with meadow plants, which provides additional heat and sound insulation and filters airborne particles. A 30,000-litre cistern located behind the building will recycle the rainwater from all roof areas that is directed to it. The "grey" water is then being used for flushing toilets and landscaping. There is also a 100-meter deep ground source heat pump system to mitigate heating and cooling costs. Other features include insulated concrete, flooring with a high percentage of recycled material, a retention pond to minimize storm runoff, and special porous paving material to protect grass in the parking area.

And naturally the new building will have plenty of tree cover; two trees will be planted for every one that was removed for construction. Though the green measures have added roughly 15 percent to the cost of the new building, the sisters estimate $100,000 in savings a year for heat and electricity. The sisters note that it is their tradition to pay attention to neighbors in need of help. "In 2006, we recognize that Earth, this tiny blue-green planet, is also our neighbor. We believe that we are called to make choices to turn away from habits that destroy rather than nurture this relationship."

Source: The London Free Press