JELD-WEN's Brasada Ranch

JELD-WEN is strongly involved in the green building design of windows and doors. Apparently they strive to have all of their manufactured products certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). One of the projects that was mentioned during the JELD-WEN tour was Brasada Ranch, a resort located just outside of Bend, Oregon.
Brasada Ranch is a central Oregon equestrian and golf community. It is the first resort to receive LEED Gold. In fact each of the main five buildings that compose the headquarters, have received this honour. These include: the community barn, the bed-and-breakfast, the post office/general store, the recreation center, and the clubhouse. The community barn was the first new construction resort to receive the honour, which was in 2007. The community recreation center is topped with solar rooftop thermal system that supplements the heat for the pool, faucets and showers within the locker rooms. The ranch is plugged into the power grid but also uses hydroelectric and wind resources for power. The five main buildings use a lake bottom version of geothermal. The bottom of a lake keeps a very even temperature according to Rich Carr, the chief architect in the design. Apparently by using this technique you can reduce energy costs by up to 60%. The lake on the 18th hole of the resorts golf course is the lake they use to generate their energy. This lake also doubles as an irrigation and storm water management system.
The barn was created using reclaimed pieces of wood, which were taken from an old lumber mill located 15 miles away. Artifacts that have been found in the surrounding area have been resurrected and used on the mantle pieces of the fireplaces. According to Rich Carr who is the owner of Cottle Carr Yaw Architects: “From a design standpoint, these materials [provide] an instant patina that contrasts nicely with contemporary features such as skylights and board form concrete”. Lava rock is also used in the creation of the barn.
Many of the resources used in the creation of the site were local therefore the transport costs were relatively low. According to Jenny Sullivan, a journalist for Builder online, “The buildings incorporate low-VOC adhesives, paints, carpeting, and composite wood products; 100 percent recycled, reinforced vinyl and cellulose-fiber roof shingles; waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets; and dedicated recycling centers. Efforts to minimize construction waste diverted as much as 75 percent of jobsite refuse from local landfill.”
I think that Carr and his team of architects are definitely onto something. It seems as though they have covered almost every conceivable aspect of how to create a green building. I know that there are more/different aspects that could have been incorporated within the design but many aspects were thought of and taken care of in the creation of this series of buildings. On top of being so environmentally friendly these buildings are very attractive.

JELD-WEN

Brasada Ranch

~Trevor G