Portsmouth, NH – Altus Engineering and TMS Architects recently completed a project in Exeter and are currently transforming a car dealership in Portsmouth.
In 2009, TMS designed four LEED Gold houses for Phillips Academy in Exeter. Altus assisted on the project by designing and installing a rain garden to capture water runoff. The combination of super-efficient houses and a storm water retention system made this project incredibly green!
According to Jeff Clifford of Altus, “rain gardens are great because they slow water, filter it, and promote groundwater retention”. For the Exeter project, water runoff from the roofs and driveways collects in a banana shaped depression. The basin is covered in a layer of sand and mulch to filter the water and contains native species to increase water absorption. After it rains, water remains in the garden for a couple of days during which the ground absorbs it.
The benefit of a rain garden over traditional storm water management systems is its low maintenance; annual weeding is the only requirement.
Clifford notes “the system works best for institutions where there is often already a long-term plan for landscape management.” Rain gardens require open space, which can be hard to find in urban areas.
The houses achieved LEED Gold through their small energy use. TMS utilized structurally insulated panels to create a 10 inch “oreo” between inhabitants and New England’s unpredictable weather. The houses also utilize solar water heaters. This in combination with the extra insulation, allowed the designers to downsize the water heater.