Green Reconstruction of a Reconstructionist Synagogue (Continued)

• Fifty percent of the cypress wood exterior siding (14,000 board feet) and interior panels was 100% reclaimed wood from old barns/mushroom houses in upstate New York.  The ceremonial entrance door was made from reclaimed maple trees harvested from the site that were cut down for construction. The cabinetry and shelving was made from Dakota Burl, which is a wood-like material made from recycled sunflower husks. The floor of the bimah is made of black walnut from storm-felled trees reclaimed from the Chicago Park district.
• The transparent gabion walls surrounding the building were made from pieces of other locally demolished buildings (which otherwise would have gone into a landfill) and reclaimed cypress wood and Jerusalem stone scrap from this building project.
• The synagogue has a white reflective roof, which allows the air conditioning to use a fifth of the power used before and work 20% less than a dark roof.
• The bathrooms were equipped with a “dual flush” toilet system – pull the handle up for liquid waste (requires less water), push the handle down for solid waste (requires more water).  This necessitated a new consciousness for bathroom usage. Showers (also low-flow) have been installed to encourage bicycling, especially among the staff. The combination of water efficient features is projected to save 40% on water consumption through the life of our building.
• Landscaping was designed to require no irrigation, and was filled with native and drought tolerant plant species. There is no lawn except on the parkway as required by the city.
• Lighting: Features include a solar powered Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) in both the chapel and sanctuary. The parking lot is lit by photo-voltaic (solar electrically powered) lights. Occupancy sensors turn lights on or off when rooms, stairs and hallways are in use or vacant.  Fluorescent T-5 bulbs are used throughout the facility and are controlled with dual switches, allowing for half the lighting use when daylight permits, this offers a 50% savings over lighting usage in a standard system. Small domes were installed on the roof to allow for Solartube skylights to let natural light into the kitchen facility, hallways, and reception areas.

The windows are made of high efficiency, insulated, gas filled, Low-E glass, which allows for sunlight but minimal heat collection inside of the building.

Indoor air quality concerns dictated the use of low-toxic, non-formaldehyde emitting construction materials and furnishings as well as the use of Low-VOC paints. The floors on all three levels are made of polished concrete designed to look like terrazzo. Besides being less expensive than real stone or commercial flooring products, they eliminate the need for any adhesives that would be used to glue them in place. The one exception is the carpet in the offices on the first and second floors. There the carpet is made with non-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound), non-formaldehyde fibers that include both recycled content and rapidly renewable corn content.

A recently passed congregational green policy requires JRC to recycle paper, glass, plastic and metal.

The kitchen utilizes Energy Star appliances, including a highly efficient quick-cycling commercial dishwasher. The washer/dryer will also be high efficiency Energy Star model with a special sanitizing feature. The goal of having a dishwasher and washer/dryer unit is to decrease the use of single use kitchen products such as paper or plastic plates and flatware and paper tablecloths and towels. There is recycled content in the stainless steel surfaces, and the pressboard in the wood bases contain no formaldehyde.

To view images of the construction project and read Rabbi Rosen’s Blog go to the JRC website, http://www.jrc-evanston.org

Contact: Rabbi Brant Rosen, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
Address: 303 Dodge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202-3252
Phone: 847-328-7678
Website: www.jrc-evanston.org