Horticulture Center to Open Soon

The Arboretum’s growing pains will soon be alleviated with the completion of the new Horticulture Center at Bloomfield Farm. This capital project – first envisioned as part the Arboretum’s 1977 master plan – is now close to being realized. The 20,840-square-foot facility, scheduled for completion this spring, will provide much-needed space for the Arboretum’s horticulture, public programs, and facility staff. It will house 24 office spaces, a multipurpose room, two conference rooms, a kitchen, a break room, locker rooms, a mechanic and arborists shop, and an equipment storage facility. These new spaces will provide the infrastructure needed to match the tremendous growth the Arboretum has experienced over the past 30 years and to address future growth. The Horticulture Center – the first new Arboretum structure to be built on its 167 acres since the 19th centurywill be a landmark building, helping to ensure the Arboretum’s future relevance and vibrancy.

Despite several setbacks, related to site and soil issues, construction is on schedule and the Horticulture Staff building is expected to be complete this March. Tremendous progress is occurring on a daily basis. As of November 2009, the roof of the mechanic shop was 100% complete; the roof and electrical wiring for the office building were at 75% completion; and the four and six bay garages were framed. Once construction is finished, a one-month long commissioning process will take place before staff can move in and the space can begin to be utilized.

In addition to providing vital space to support the Arboretum’s daily operations, the new Horticulture Center Complex will help establish the Morris Arboretum, as well as the University of Pennsylvania, as a leader in “green” technology. This project will be the University of Pennsylvania’s first newly constructed “green” building, setting an example for sustainable design and construction on a local, regional, and national level. This capital project has been designed in accordance with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System, which provides a standardized approach to environmentally sustainable construction. The Arboretum is committed to “raising the bar” for itself as well as for the wider community; as such, it is striving for the highest level of LEED® certification, Platinum, for the Horticulture Center project. If achieved, the Center will be one of only a handful of Platinum Level LEED® Certified buildings in the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Many environmentally sustainable and “green” design elements distinguish this capital project, including:

A Green Roof is essentially a “living roof,” that – through plant cover – reduces a building’s absorption of ambient heat, thus keeping the interior cooler and more energy efficient. The two green roofs to be planted atop the Horticulture Center’s four and six bay garages will serve as examples of “extensive” and “semi-intensive” green roofs. The shallower “extensive” green roof will be low maintenance, nearly self-sustaining, planted with several varieties of sedum. The deeper “semi-intensive” green roof will feature native perennials and prairie grass species that require deeper soils.

Geothermal heating and cooling

The Horticulture Center will use a closed, ground-source heat system that cycles water through a series of ten underground geothermal wells. This process will keep water for the building’s heating and cooling system at a constant temperature, with the end result of using one-fourth the energy of a conventional heating and air-conditioning system.

Rain garden

To reduce water usage, rain runoff from the building will be collected in cisterns for use in irrigation and lavatories.

Green lighting
The Horticulture Center’s design and layout incorporates a lighting system that takes advantage of natural daylight through the use of skylights and roof monitors. Light sensors will automatically dim electric lights on bright days to reduce energy use.

These aspects of the new Horticulture Center demonstrate Morris Arboretum’s dedication to environmental stewardship, through reducing the Arboretum’s carbon footprint and engaging in sustainability best practices. However, the “green” elements of this capital project will serve an even greater function, through providing unique opportunities to educate the public about the importance of protecting our natural resources. Through interpretative panels and public programs, the Horticulture Center will provide a multi-functional educational venue for casual visitors and professionals alike.

For additional information please contact:

Melissa Calvert, Director of Development
215-247-5777 ext. 102
mcalvert@upenn.edu