sidbuilds

109 - 111 Madison Street 

THE MADISON PROJECT:

SID FLEISHER -    
Sid at sidbuilds dotcom

CAROLE FURMAN –
Octagon at hvc.rr dotcom

KARLA KAVANAUGH –
Karlak at Taconic dotnet

THE MADISON PROJECT CONCEPT
109 & 111 Madison Street
Troy, NY 12180

The Madison Project partnership of Sid Fleisher, Karla Kavanaugh, and Carole Furman developed from a combined interest and passion for reclaiming and renovating old buildings. Such projects help to revitalize communities and neighborhoods and also reduce carbon emissions that cause global warming.

Some of the inspiration emanates from the award-winning architect Ed Mazria. His research shows that buildings, both residential and commercial, heavily contribute to greenhouse gases. Buildings consume large quantities of resources and produce significant carbon emissions, both during their construction and throughout their useful lifetime.

Advanced construction practices can address these problems easily, such as using the latest technologies, choosing appropriate materials, and applying alternative energy sources.  Because existing buildings are steadily and gradually being renovated over time, renovation is a key strategy for dramatically reducing global warming.  Using Mazria’s building guidelines and practices, all buildings could perform in an almost carbon neutral mode by the year 2030.

To this end, the two 19th-century brick buildings at 109 and 111 Madison St. in South Troy are being renovated using the best available Green techniques and materials. The Madison Project is an Energy Star Home Builder Partner and works with NYSERDA (NY State Energy Research & Development Agency). As a result, the first building at 109 Madison St. has qualified as an Energy Star Labeled Home. The second building at 111 is intended for LEEDS Home Certification, which requires a more stringent energy efficiency standard and is a model for energy efficient Green renovation strategies. 

The Madison Project’s specific Green renovation strategies include the following aspects:
•    Recycling demolition materials (old doors to Historic Albany, lighting fixtures to the Habitat for Humanity’s Re-Store, cardboard, etc.),
•    Designing for passive solar heat gain and for natural lighting to reduce electric consumption,
•    Employing Advanced Framing to minimize lumber and increase insulation area,
•    Insulating at high R-values (R30 walls, R60 attics) and air-sealing with a whole-house system approach,
•    Using less toxic or non-toxic finish products such as low VOC paints, wood and marmoleum flooring,
•    Installing energy efficient windows & insulated doors,
•    Installing very high-efficiency heating/cooling systems,
•    Installing on-demand hot water heaters,
•    Providing fixtures with CFL light bulbs,
•    Providing Energy Star appliances and fixtures,
•    Providing infrastructure access ready to receive solar-thermal and photovoltaic panel systems.

Finally, renovations such as the Madison Project represent a long-term solution to a global problem… one building at a time.