BioWheels Experience Blog » BioWheels Asheville’s Green Renovation is based in our ideals.

BioWheels Asheville’s Green Renovation is based in our ideals.

June 21, 2007 on 9:23 pm | In Growth |

On Saturday, June 9th, 2007 BioWheels opened our new doors to the public. It took us 18 months, but the community response indicates it was worth the work. BioWheels has built a home as good as our name. “We’re putting the ‘Bio’ in BioWheels”, we explained simply to the bank. That was good enough for them.

Effectively, we took a building in Asheville’s Core Business District, that would have certainly been demolished by a myopic developer, and recycled it - the whole darn thing.

Here is the complete Photo Essay on the project.

The Complete Construction Story is here in draft form:
BioWheels-Asheville’s Complete Construction Story

Check out the Green Construction Critique from the Pros @ New Life Journal.

“Green Renovation” Highlights 81 Coxe Avenue

Entire 1920’s building saved from the wrecking ball

Recipient of NC State Energy Improvement Loan Program

First commercial Green Renovation in Asheville

Materials sourced through locally-owned businesses whenever possible

Energy modeling by Home Energy Partners & Simms Engineering

Hydronic Radiant Floor system with solar-heated water and natural gas backup installed by Solar Dynamics.

Solar Collectors supplied by FLS Energy provide domestic Solar Hot Water and heat 2600 sq ft floor with 8 solar collectors.

Insulation installed: 6”-9” Icynene in the east & south walls from Home Energy Partners, 2” blue-board used under new concrete slab and in the west & north walls

Infrastructure installed to produce electricity from solar panels. Currently donate to NC Greenpower - Plans for a photovoltaic array are developing.

Energy-efficient windows & skylights installed throughout the building - All are double-pane with insulated frames

Paints & finishes: Vegetable-based paints, stains and sealers from Shelter Ecology

Reflective & Insulated (R30) Mule Hyde roof installed by Dry Ridge Roofing

Countertops are 100% sunflower husks, recycled newspaper & soy esters

Of the 80 light bulbs in the store, all but 6 are compact fluorescent.

Stormwater Permit: In compliance with Federal Clean Water Act, All roof water is diverted to a storm drain. Positive Backflow Preventer installed.

Outside garden spaces add beauty, shade and an 80 sq. foot rain garden that helps capture parking lot run-off - plantings installed by Quality Forward.

Custom cabinets were built & installed by Rob Bullock (co-owner of Sante’ Wine Bar). They are built with formaldehyde-free birch plywood & solid local birch.

Flooring & stairs use amazing renewable Bamboo

State-of-the-Art, non-toxic, skin-friendly microbial parts cleaner

Organic Pebble-Dash stucco for a ‘lifetime’ exterior

A 900 cfm exhaust fan for indoor air quality can create a cross draft from the operable front transom windows.

Gypsum Sheetrock is used as an inert and neutral wall-covering.

Energy-efficient, ductless Mitsubishi A/C units filter air & dehumidify

All water is filtered once with double-filtered drinking water.

ADA (American Disabilities Act) shower installed for employee bike commuters.

The building is completely ADA compliant.

Massive recycling effort for all materials removed from building. Existing interior wood framing was recycled into walls and used in concrete forms.

Total compliance with the Asheville UDO (Unified Development Ordinance)

Underground Utilities (not a wire is visible!)

There are many folks who have helped us complete this project. Ian Lione has been our primary ’subcontractor extraordinaire’. Working closely with Ben Poss, PE & Matt Johnson, Ian is responsible for the bulk of the restoration & oversight of the new slab, window restoration & addition foundation & framing. Ole Sorenson of Solar Dynamics has helped us envision the technologies that are practical to our application- ie- in floor heat & solar heated water & floors. Isaac Savage from Home Energy Partners has helped with energy modelling & Icynene insulation. Cindy Meehan-Patton of Shelter Ecology has helped ensure that all touchable surfaces are non-toxic & environmentally friendly. John Chappell, PE. from Sims Engineers & Ben Poss, PE. of Poss Construction have both helped us show the City of Asheville that we can build a healthier & more sustainable retail structure than it has yet seen. Materials & fasteners were sourced almost completely through locally-owned family businesses.

A few other folks we’d like to mention are Rob Bullock (owner of Sante’ Wine Bar). He fabricated & installed the beautiful, formaldehyde-free birch cabinetry. Asheville Kitchen Tops provided the recycled sunflower & newspaper counter tops. Our computer network details were designed by Marc Roberts of Firmworks . Our ADA friendly bathroom was completed by Terry Runion of Runion Enterprises. Our driveway was paved by French Broad Paving Company. The excellent ‘knock-down’ drywall was installed & finished by Jim Eitl and his crew. The soy-based Eco-paints have all been artistically applied by Robert Kroemer of Brilliant Painting. One of the greatest traits all of the afformetioned people have in common is their ability to think unconventionally & execute their work according to BioWheels guiding principles. Special thanks to the Asheville Streets Division, who upon my request, rebuilt our sidewalk & driveway entrance. Of all of the City employees that I worked with, extra special thanks go out Susannah Carver (permitting) & Ron Evans (plan review). These two individuals helped guide me through the long web of permitting. Our outdoor greenspace/gardens were graciously installed by Quality Forward.