2. DSNY Salt Shed

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Earlier this year, we had a chance to visit inside the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)’s garage and salt shed complex in Hudson Square, Tribeca. Designed by WXY  architecture + urban design and Dattner Architects, it currently serves 300,000 residents in Manhattan Community Districts 1, 2, and 5, and has been rewarded for for its excellence in environmental sustainability.

While the 70-foot, crystalline shaped salt shed is certainly a stunning sight, the sleek garage building on the corner of Canal Street and West Side Highway should be noted specifically for its sustainability measures. It’s a LEED Gold certified structure that cleans and repairs 150 sanitation trucks. The environmentally friendly design of the building deals with water usage: by using municipal steam to generate hot water for heating and mechanical ventilation, the building does not burn fuel. Furthermore, condensation that accrues as a by-product of steam is stored, alongside harvested rainwater from the roof, in a 20,000 gallon cistern. These strategies have contributed to a 77% decrease in potable water use in the building.

In addition to collecting rainwater, which is used to wash trucks, the garage building includes a spectacular 1.5 acre green roof. The 13,250 pre-planted trays, featuring 25 distinct drought resistant species, protect the roof membrane, while reducing heat absorption and enhancing storm water retention The sleek glass building is covered by 2,600 custom-made sunshades—or “fins,” as they are called—that allow natural light to flow into the building while reducing glare. On sunny days, only half of the light fixtures are on. Some of the fins are also operable, allowing them to swivel and block glare at certain times of the day. Read more about the salt shed and garage here.

Check out the interactive video “Home” at loveyourhome.orsted.com.