Sustainable Architecture & Social Responsibility: Mercy Corps’ Platinum Action Center in Battery Park City

2008

Jan

2 comments

Mercy Corps today officially unveiled its Action Center to End World Hunger, a $5.4 million, 4,000-square-foot interactive education facility in Battery Park City that should open up this fall. Designed by Edwin Schlossberg’s ESI Design, the Center will seek a LEED Platinum rating from USGBC. The Battery Park City Authority chose Mercy in the wake of September 11 to create a Downtown cultural space that would raise local awareness about global issues; Mercy is a provider of international relief and development funding that earned a 2007 Nobel Peace Prize nomination. Financing for the Center came from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, the New York City Council, and the Mayor’s Office. The Center will offer visitors a number of exhibitions designed to educate the public about Mercy’s efforts to end global hunger and poverty. Here at gbNYC, we’ve always stressed that any definition of green building or sustainable design must include broader social considerations. We’re thrilled that Mercy Corps’ Action Center will be located in Battery Park City, wedding the district’s commitment to sustainable architecture with a demonstration of social responsibility in action. We’ll, as always, follow up with more details about the project as they emerge in the coming weeks.

Mercy Corps Announces Innovative Public Space in NYC (PR)

Tags: Battery Park City, Edwin Schlossberg, ESI Design, LEED Platinum, USGBC, Action Center To End World Hunger, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, Mercy Corps, green building

Comments

January 26, 2008 - 2:50pm — Lisa Galley (not verified)

Stephen, Like the project.

Stephen,

Like the project. What really resonates is your stressing that your definition of green building includes broader social considerations. Sometimes I think we in green building get so excited about the technology and architecture, that we forget that green building is actually a tool for addressing broader social considerations. Thanks for speaking out on this point.

February 1, 2008 - 5:10pm — Stephen Del Percio (not verified)

Thanks, Lisa. I think it's a

Thanks, Lisa. I think it's a critical consideration to keep in mind that definitely gets lost at times in the excitement over big ticket green design features.