Ogden Resource Center and Braille Access Library
2214 E. 13th Street, Vancouver, Washington 98661
Client:

Size:

Construction Cost:

 Washington State School for the Blind

12,400 SF

$ 1.985 mil
The Ogden Resource Center (ORC) serves as the State's instructional resource center for blind and visually impaired children. ORC distributes learning material to school districts across the state for those students who do not attend WSSB. ORC also houses the Braille Access Center.  It produces Braille and large print books as well as other material for WSSB and the community at large.

ORC was the recipient of the 2003 Community Pride Design Award for its integration into the historic site.  It is important to note how well the building fits with the historic buildings on site, as well as with the neighborhood as a whole.

ORC is a highly sustainable building.  Not only did the Washington State School for the Blind want the building to be environmentally responsible, but with education budgets being cut, a main objective for WSSB was to reduce operating costs associated with the use and maintenance of the building. It became clear that the most direct way to achieve this was to focus on Sustainability.

Many so called "green" buildings have only energy efficient equipment, recycled content materials, or daylighting. WSSB was striving for something more with the Ogden Resource Center. Terra Architecture made sure to integrate as many sustainable elements into the building and site as possible.

Sustainable Features Include:

  • 13.5KW photovoltaic array - powers the building during the summer when the array is functioning at full capacity.  The Bonneville Environmental Foundation purchases the Green-E certified Green Tags from WSSB and sells them to Clark County PUD.  WSSB generates clean power for the community and reduces operating expenses for themselves.

  • Greengrid Containerized earth covered roof system - This is one of the first containerized earthroofs in the country, and the first west of the Mississippi. The system keeps rainwater where it falls. Because it decreases heat loss and heat gain inside the building envelope, it reduces HVAC energy requirements. Compared to a traditional earth roof, it increases roof life and decreases roof system costs.  The plants improve air quality and provide an attractive roof.
  • On-Site Stormwater Management - All stormwater stays on site.  Excess rainwater that is not absorbed by the earthroof is directed to a bioswale planter integrated with the building facade. The remaining water is passed to drywells along with the runoff from parking lots. These techniques minimize stormwater management requirements and costs.
  • Rooftop light monitors and natural lighting techniques - 80% of the building functions on natural light; reduces the need for artificial light, which reduces energy consumption.
  • The building is designed and oriented to work with the sun - Reduced heat gain with north facing windows and covered walkways along building.  Roof monitors serve dual purpose, oriented the PV array toward the sun.
  • The building is designed to work with existing topography - Minimized earthwork reduces negative environmental impact.  The building is set in the ground 5 feet on the north side.