By Linda Collins
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

WILLIAMSBURG — Thanks to Kinetix, a Manhattan-based sustainability consulting firm, The Edge in Williamsburg will use at least 10 percent less energy than a comparable conventional building.

Michael Block, CEO of Kinetix, and Michael Gresty, its president, have been intimately involved with Douglaston Development on “green� issues at The Edge, the mixed-use residential tower complex under construction on the waterfront in Williamsburg.

Block and Gresty have been involved since before construction began in the summer of 2007, they say.

As previously reported in the Eagle, the two-tower project, with a total of 663,000 square feet of space, celebrated its grand opening in April and is expected to be completed in fall 2009.

Designed by The Stephen B. Jacobs Group Architects, it will have close to 1,100 units of luxury housing on its 7.5-acre waterfront site, when completed.

According to Kinetix, in addition to the energy savings, water use and sewer discharge volumes are projected to be 30 percent lower and greenhouse gas emissions from operations will be reduced by 30 percent.

Said Michael Kaye, president of Douglas Development, “Kinetix’s significant sustainable design expertise allowed us to capitalize on our efforts to develop a project with extensive community benefits, such as the waterfront park and the affordable housing adjacent to the project.

“Together, we are creating a green building that will not only enhance the lives of its residents, but that of the entire Willamsburg community.�

Equally important, according to Block and Gresty, are the benefits to residents themselves.

“Future [home]owners will achieve significant financial benefits through energy cost savings while occupying a more enjoyable, healthier living space which also is helping to protect the environment,� said Block.

Both men say they are “tremendously proud� to be part of this effort and its impact.

“The Edge is one of the largest residential projects in New York City to date to implement sustainable design and green construction,� said Block.

According to Block and Gresty, their firm provided Douglaston with a range of strategies to help them elevate the environmental performance of the project.

During design development, for example, Kinetix conducted an assessment to determine what high performance strategies could most cost-effectively be integrated into the overall design. Among other things, they recommended using “green� power, improving indoor air quality, increasing the use of recycled materials, reducing potable water demand and reducing wastewater flow.

As a result, overall operating costs will be significantly lowered.

The Edge development team will also be applying for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

“The LEED certification process provides an excellent framework to help achieve green building goals,� said Gresty.

Other sustainable design solutions that were integrated into the project include a public park on the piers, extensive landscaping, pervious exterior paving, and rainwater retention and delayed release. For the building’s interior, there are energy efficient appliances, a green wall, environmental tobacco smoke control, bicycle storage and underground parking for alternative fuel vehicles and Zipcars. During Construction Phase

Additionally, most construction waste is being recycled, biodiesel is being used for some onsite equipment, groundwater removed during excavations is being retained for dust-control, and all marketing materials include educational content on green buildings.

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