Sustainability
Operating Green
The Taube Koret Campus has incorporated state-of-the art, eco-conscious building practices, systems and programs into its planning, design and construction and is working to become a silver-rated LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified project.*
“The Campus is committed to having as low an impact on the environment as possible,” says Daniel Ruth, president and CEO of Moldaw Family Residences at 899 Charleston (MFR). “The goal is to ensure that not only is the Taubet Koret Campus green-focused, but that all residents, visitors and staff are as well.”
“We’ve incorporated as many “green-friendly” aspects into our technology, systems and structures as possible,” adds Alan Sataloff, CEO of the Oshman Family JCC (OFJCC). “We want to lead by example – not only on our Campus, but for all new buildings in the area. It’s the right thing to do.”
Some of the steps taken to make the Campus as green as possible include:
Location
The building site was cleaned up by the Taube Koret Campus long before construction started so that pollutants left in the soil be previous occupants were fully removed and the land beneath the structures returned to an “environmentally-friendly” state.
Transportation
A complete transportation management plan was created so that visitors, residents and staff can use public transportation whenever possible. A kiosk at the OFJCC offers information about public transportation (bus, Caltrain) routes, schedules, etc.
In addition to being located within walking distance to shopping, activities and services the Campus features secure bicycle storage and priority parking for fuel-efficient cars and car-pool vehicles.
Energy and Water Conservation
To reduce the “heat island effect” in Campus parking lots – and the resulting energy needs, 85 percent of Campus parking is underneath the buildings. In addition, over 75 percent of the building roofs are covered with a light-colored, reflective material that bounces the sun’s rays off of them.
Campus landscaping is very water efficient, using less than half the water normally consumed by a site of this size (according to the U.S. Green Building Council – USGBC). The design incorporates drought-resistant plantings, drip irrigation and tons of moisture-retaining mulch, resulting in an expected savings/water reduction of 52%.
All Campus buildings are equipped with low-flush toilets/urinals and low-flow sinks and showers (where applicable), which collectively are expected to reduce water usage to 32% below the normal level for a project of this size, as stated by the USGBC.
* The sustainability practices, systems and programs of the Taube Koret Campus are being funded, in part, by a grant from a Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund.