The Harley School - Chesonis Commons

9x30 Design is proud to be working with the Harley School on a new 10,000 square foot science annex. This addition will make use of a recycled Upstate NY barn and house two middle school science classrooms, as well as multi-use flex space for exhibits and class projects.

Although we anticipate that the building will achieve LEED Platinum Certification, the school’s vision takes the greening a step further. Sustainable building practices will become part of Harley’s curriculum. Interactive environmental controls and displays will be used as a teaching tool for how our built and natural environments may coexist in a sustainable manner. With this approach, Harley plans on including elements such as geothermal HVAC, wind turbines, PV arrays, evacuated tube solar water heaters, rain water collection, algae bioreactors, weather stations, grey water treatment, etc. The approach to the new annex will be through the new “Flag Hall” and will culminate at a 3-story fulcrum pendulum in the main atrium.

[Renderings by pmb design studio]

Earthen Architecture

The Peace Center for Youth and Family Development has come to Rochester to help reduce poverty through green building construction and has chosen 9x30 Design to help them implement their vision.

Since last year, we have adapted the original Sandbag Shelter technology designed by Nader Khalili at the Cal Earth Institute to work in New York’s harsh climate and with the New York State Energy Conservation Code. The first example of New York Earthen Architecture is the EcoDome at 56 Webster Ave.

Since then, 9x30 Design has been tasked to design multiple site plans using the EcoDome concept. Such designs include a new Community Center on Troup Street, as well as the House of Innocents and a co-op housing project on North Street. Most recently, we have worked to design a Base Camp for an entire Eco Village to be built in Cabaret, Haiti. The Eco Village is intended to house up to 1700 earthquake victims with permanent housing centered around community based services.

This 1,800 square foot 3-bedroom home located on Honeoye Lake is currently under construction. While its carefully placed windows will make the 180° water views the home’s main attraction; countless green materials, systems, and methods are being incorporated to make energy-efficiency its top priority. The project includes graphite infused insulated concrete block walls, bio-based cellulose and recycled denim insulation, radiant heating by a DX geothermal system, solar hot water heating, and solar electric system.

The Temple Building in downtown Rochester is converting two of its floors into luxury studio apartments. The open floor plan designs for these studios will respect the historic character of the building, while providing functional space for modern living. The material palette will range from sandblasted antique brick and rough-cut regional hardwoods, to translucent interior walls and stone counters. The bathrooms will have radiant floor heat, and sliding barn doors will offer space dividing capabilities.