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Details of world's most advanced 'sustainable' and 'fortune-creating' building - Part II: A model of sustainable building practices
by Global Good News staff writer

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6 September 2008

Dr Jon Lipman, Director of Vedic Architecture for the Global Country of World Peace in America, speaking during a recent Maharishi Global Family Chat, gave details of the Sustainable Living Center at Maharishi University of Management (M.U.M.) in Fairfield, Iowa, USA.

Part I of this article examined how the new Sustainable Living Center will be a perfect model of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda, architecture in harmony with Natural Law. Dr Lipman explained that the principles of Vedic architecture, Vastu vidya, more than satisfy the qualifications for 'green' building.

As a model of sustainable building practices, the Center will incorporate these principles:
- All electricity will be generated on-site, from photovoltaic panels and wind generators. A back-up bio-diesel generator is being constructed by students.
- Heat will come from a combination of solar and biofuel back-up. Insulation in the thermal mass walls conserves and stores heat. Radiant heat floors utilize solar-heated water.
- Cooling system will utilize the well-insulated walls to keep heat out. The building will be ventilated at night, and the thermal mass walls store the cooler temperatures.
- A desiccated system utilizing the constant geothermal temperature will regulate the temperature of the building in all seasons.
- Rainwater will be collected and purified for drinking. 'Gray' water will be used for certain plumbing and landscaping. A wetland will treat storm water runoff to prevent loss of soil nutrients.
- Wastewater will be treated by a 'green plant mediated living system'.
- The plumbing will be highly water efficient.
- The building will be totally 'off the grid', meaning it will not draw resources from the power company, sewage treatment plant, or local storm water system.
- Almost all the materials come from local sources.

The Center is designed to qualify for the national certification system called LEED, 'Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design', of which Platinum is the highest category. Said Dr Lipman, 'If there were a higher category, this building would qualify beyond Platinum.' The Center will also satisfy the requirements of 'Building Biology', another system of certification, originated in Germany and which has existed in the US for 22 years.

A lesser known but even more rigorous assessment in the US is the 'Living Building Challenge' designed by the Cascadia Region Green Building Council. Said Dr Lipman, 'Not one building to date has met all the criteria, but we believe M.U.M.'s Sustainable Living Center will be the first.'

As a learning centre, the building itself will teach the principles of sustainable living. Students will observe the functions of the systems, monitor the humidity and energy storage, and conduct agricultural research. Students will be able to remove and erect walls as learning projects every year. The building will include a classroom, workshop, greenhouse, as well as Dr Fisher's research laboratory.

Already the Center is attracting the interest of media and sustainability organizations:
Charlotte Business Journal
AASHA Bulletin
Associated Press

Related article on Global Good News:
Maharishi University of Management celebrates groundbreaking for new Sustainable Living Center

© Copyright 2008 Global Good News®

Global Good News comment:

For information about Maharishi's seven-point programme to create a healthy, happy, prosperous society, and a peaceful world, please visit: Global Financial Capital of New York.





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