Ernie Morgan Environmental Action Center

Biodata

Location: Norfolk, Virginia
Latitude: 36.85 N
Longitude: 76.27 W
Elevation: ~ 23 ft
Climate: Mixed-Humid
Sun Hours/Day: 4.5
Conditioned Area: 6058 gsf
Year Complete: currently in fundraising

Project Brief

Winner of the 2005 AIA James River chapter merit award for design excellence, the Ernie Morgan Environmental Action Center (EMEAC) project will comprise both a renovation and expansion of the current NEC's (Norfolk Environmental Commission's) facility. When complete, the newly transformed center will house greatly enhanced educational, exhibit and office functions within a model facility. From the outset, the NEC has committed to the goal of creating a building of the highest possible environmental performance that will serve as a locus of activity and learning as well as inspiration to others who intend to construct buildings within the community and across the region. As a measure of the Commission's sincerity toward this end, the underlying goal for the project will be the achievement of a Platinum level certification within the U. S. Green Building Council's LEED Rating System. Besides the requisite level of attention to site sensitivity, material and resource concerns and indoor environmental quality, a key distinguishing factor will be the facility's capability of producing more energy than it consumes - - it will be a "net exporter" of power to the city grid through the use of photovoltaics in concert with low energy high performance design and construction practices. Furthermore, the new EMEAC will not only possess a high degree of ecological intelligence, it will also serve as an example of how 'green' design can (and should) be innate to an appropriate architectural solution within a public context.

Between the dates of December 15th & 17th 2004, the Norfolk Environmental Commission hosted the inaugural event on the path toward reaching the goal of broadening and elevating its presence in the community it has served for over 25 years. Through an integrated design workshop (also commonly known as a "charrette"), a diverse group of citizens, activists, design professionals, scientists, and City officials gathered for two days of intensive yet enjoyable discourse that brought forth the myriad perspectives, sensibilities and quantitative elements needed to begin shaping the dream of a place that truly embodies the NEC's mission: "to lead citizens toward environmental stewardship". The workshop report and final schematic design package can be viewed here: