Proximity named the highest rated “Green” hotel and restaurant in the US
The Proximity Hotel and Print Works Bistro, in Greensboro, North Carolina, which opened in late 2007, is a glowing example of the green economy at work: a project that blends sustainable design and luxury into one amazing business opportunity.
The sustainable standards set by the project are such that the hotel was awarded LEED® Platinum by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is the USGBC’s rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings. Built and operated by Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels, Proximity Hotel and Print Works Bistro, which opened in late 2007, are the first in the hospitality industry to obtain the USGBC’s top level of certification.
Dennis Quaintance, the CEO and CDO (chief design officer) of Quaintance-Weaver, is obviously delighted. “When we started the design process four years ago, I would have never believed that we could use 39 per cent less energy and 33 per cent less water without one iota of compromise in comfort or luxury and with minimal additional construction costs,” says Quaintance. “It just goes to show what a determined team can accomplish if they use common sense and get a little bit of help from the sun.”
His “sun” comment refers to the 100 solar rooftop panels that heat water for the AAA Four Diamond hotel. To illustrate how the hotel and bistro save energy without negatively affecting guest comfort, he asks, “How is it a compromise for a guest to shower with water that is heated by the sun? Or, how is it a compromise for a bistro guest if his or her dishes are washed with solar heated water?”
Quaintance collaborated with his subcontractors on every little detail and personally tested most products. “We tested so many different toilets at home that our children were anxious to see what they called the ‘commode du jour’,” he says. “We finally found one that works wonderfully and uses a third of a gallon less with each flush, and it did not cost one cent more than a conventional toilet.”
The rigorous testing for a variety of water saving products is paying off. The hotel and restaurant is on track to use two million gallons less water during the first year, saving more than USD13,000 by spending less than USD7,000 in additional construction costs.
“I've come to believe that it is an urban legend that employing sustainable practices with new construction is too expensive,” concludes Quaintance. “We are very happy with the results, including the costs and returns, of everything that we did. It’s not easy -- but it’s not hard. And it’s definitely worth it.”
Proximity and Print Works did not attain this milestone by just using less energy and water. They also:
Recycled 87 per cent of the construction debris (1,535 tonnes)
Sourced over 40 per cent of the building materials locally
Used over 20 per cent recycled content
Restored 700 feet of an adjacent stream
Installed the first regenerative drive elevators in North America, generating electricity on the descent for the ascent
Provided natural lighting (day-lighting) to 97 per cent of the occupied space
Used elaborate energy recovery systems to provide large amounts of fresh outside air to all guests
Sourced 90 per cent of the furniture locally
Commissioned local artists and craftspeople for original art in every guestroom, a cantilevered reception desk, spiral staircases in the lobby, furniture and accessories
Plus more than 60 other sustainable practices
LEED certification covers energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. LEED verifies environmental performance, occupant health and financial return. LEED was established for market leaders to design & construct buildings that protect and save precious resources while also making good economic sense.
“Proximity Hotel is especially to be commended for achieving LEED Platinum. This facility is one that both the community and its guests can be proud of,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO, Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “Proximity is a showcase for high-performance, energy-efficient, healthy environment, and an inspiration for others.”
Some of the top sustainable practices at Proximity Hotel & Print Works Bistro:
The building uses 39 per cent less energy than a conventional hotel/restaurant by using ultra efficient materials and the latest construction technology.
The sun’s energy heats hot water with 100 solar panels covering the 4,000 square feet of rooftop (enough hot water for a hundred homes). This heats around 60 per cent of the water for both the hotel and restaurant.
700 linear feet of stream was restored by reducing erosion, planting local, adaptable plant species and rebuilding the buffers and banks. Approximately 700 cubic yards of soil was removed to create a floodplain bench. And 376 tons of boulders and 18 logs were used to maintain grade control, dissipate energy and assist in the creation and maintenance of riffles and pools.
Tabletops in the Bistro are made of salvaged, solid walnut trees that came down through sickness or storm and room service trays made of Plyboo (bamboo plywood).
Newly-engineered variable speed hoods in the restaurant uses a series of sensors to set the power according to the kitchen's needs and adjusts to a lower level of operation (typically 25 per cent of their full capacity). The sensors also detect heat, smoke or other effluents and increase the fan speed to keep the air fresh.
Geothermal energy is used for the restaurant’s refrigeration equipment, instead of a standard water-cooled system, saving significant amounts of water.
North America's first Regenerative Drive model of the Otis' Gen2 elevator reduces net energy usage by capturing the system’s energy and feeds it back into the building’s internal electrical grid.
Abundant natural lighting, including large energy-efficient “operable” windows (7’4” square windows in guest rooms), connects guests to the outdoors by achieving a direct line of sight to the outdoor environment for more than 97 per cent of all regularly occupied spaces.
Building materials with recycled content include reinforced steel with 90 per cent post consumer recycled content, sheetrock 100 per cent, asphalt 25 per cent and staircase steel 50 per cent. Concrete contains 4 per cent fly ash (224,000 pounds), the mineral residue left after the combustion of coal that is diverted from landfills.
87 per cent of construction waste was recycled, diverting 1,535 tons of debris from landfills.
Water usage has been reduced by 33 per cent by installing high-efficiency Kohler plumbing fixtures, saving two million gallons of water the first year.
Air quality improved by circulating large amounts of outside air into guestrooms (60 cubic feet per minute) and doing so in an energy efficient way by employing “energy recovery” technology where the outside air is tempered by the air being exhausted.
Regional vendors and artists were used for materials to reduce transportation and packaging.
Low-emitting volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, adhesives, carpets, etc reduces indoor air contamination.
Guestroom shelving is made of walnut SkyBlend, particleboard made from 100 per cent post-industrial recycled wood pulp with no added formaldehyde.
A green, vegetated rooftop will be planted on the restaurant to reduce the “urban heat island effect.” In other words, the green roof reflects the heat, thus reducing the amount of energy needed for refrigeration and/or air conditioning. It also slows the rain runoff and insulates the rooftop, keeping the building cooler overall. Currently, we trying out various plants on the roof in a test area.
“Education Center” for sustainable practices includes tours of our "green" hotel for guests, sustainable practices symposia, and outreach programs for students of all ages.
Bicycles are available for guests to ride on the nearby five-mile greenway.
