The future site of the Tanasi Arts and Cultural Center could hardly be better suited for the approximately 38,000 square foot building that will showcase the arts, crafts, and cultural heritage of Tennessee’s Appalachia.  Its location on the west side of newly opened Interstate 26 at Unicoi Rd, Exit 32, presents a natural gateway for travelers eastbound into Tennessee and westbound toward Asheville.  The Center itself will be a model of sustainable and responsible development that honors the land on which it will thrive. 

Many “green features” have been incorporated into a building that will be designed to achieve the Platinum level of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building performance rating system.  As the government begins mandating sweeping requirements for new Federally-funded buildings to achieve the Silver level of performance, this building will be setting the pace toward objectives that include energy independence, bolstering of local economies, and the reduced need for costly environmental regulation. Although the estimated 20 million dollar price tag for the building and start-up operating cost may seem at first high; escalating costs for electricity and water, health care, and transportation make sustainable building the only sensible choice for our times.  Our opportunity here is to lead rather than follow; to display not only our exceptional abilities in the live and performing arts and crafts, but in our engineering and design skills and construction practices. 

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The proposed development at once protects and  exploits the pleasing and promising aspects of the natural environment by

1. promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation
2. improving indoor environmental quality (thereby employee/visitor health and comfort)
3. minimizing overall environmental impact on the site
4. utilizing fewer, safer, and more sustainably acquired/harvested/extracted/reclaimed natural resources
5. minimizing waste, preventing pollution and
6. incorporating the work of local artisans and craftsmen into the structure itself.

Earth-sheltered on the north, the building will have south-facing sloped roofs that support photovoltaic panels to provide as much as 15% of the building’s energy needs.  Energy use reduction will be achieved through use of advanced building technologies and techniques such as concrete insulated forms, high performance glazing, super-insulated attic space, vegetated roof areas, and creative daylighting that results from the stepped back design of the building and use of clerestories.  Energy Star appliances, energy-efficient lighting, and hot water producing solar thermal collectors will reduce the building’s carbon footprint even further.

The landscaping plan will respect the existing trees and native plants, and will ensure that vegetation thrives without the use of irrigation once plants are established. 

Permeable pavement in automobile parking areas will reduce heat island effects and, along with bioswales, mitigate stormwater runoff.  The trail head being developed in concert with the site will help provide immediate access to the historic Pinnacle Fire Tower that crowns the mountain behind the Center. 

Rainwater will be harvested for outdoor use such as plant establishment and landscaping water features, and will be considered as a possible source for the replenishing of gray water systems should that option be explored. Wholesale use of low-flow fixtures and automatic water cut-off sensors will easily earn credits for water conservation under the LEED system, and will sensibly carry the message to building users that the denizens of this region take seriously their roles as stewards of these water-rich mountains.

The interior of the building will be finished with low volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting adhesives, sealants, coatings, carpets and wood products.  Building materials inside and out will contain high percentages of recycled content and will originate, to the extent possible, within a 500 mile radius of the site to minimize transportation costs and, therefore, reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the construction phase.  Rapidly renewable materials such as poplar bark and wheatboard may be used as building finishes and all of the wood will come from sustainably managed forests.