Case Study: AVA Gallery and Art Center

Project Name:  AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon, NH.
Building Type: Art gallery and artists studios, major renovation of industrial building, 41,500 SF
Goal: LEED Gold Certificiation, LEED for New Construction

Project Overview

Formerly the H.W. Carter Overall Factory, ca. 1870s, the AVA Gallery and Art Center is one of the Upper Valley’s original most energy-efficient and green buildings; it achieved its LEED Gold certification in 2008 by paying special attention to LEED categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy Performance and Atmosphere Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation and Design.

Measures Implemented

  • Airtight building “envelope,” with spray foam insulation; replaced 141 ill-fitting windows.
  • 95% of all construction waste removed in the course of the renovation was recycled.
  • High-efficiency boiler replaced an enormous, unreliable boiler.
  • Computerized energy management controls heating, ventilation and cooling.

  • Sunshades and an air-exchange system keep the building comfortable in the summer without air conditioning.
  • Based on data, AVA boasts 71.5% energy savings compared to new commercial buildings and 43% reduction in energy use compared to national standards.
  • Light shelf provides natural daylighting and reduces the need for electrical lighting.

  • Fresh outdoor air supplied with energy recovery ventilators at healthy levels above code requirements.
  • Successful combination of historic features with new and contemporary approaches to construction, architectural design and environmental sustainability.
  • Ongoing energy monitoring verifies that the building continues to perform as modeled.

The Next Step

The next phase of this project is to achieve Net Zero Energy. 
RBG is delighted to work with AVA and this team again to achieve their ultimate goals.