The founders of BioWheels, Matt Johnson & Eric Krause, have always held strong personal convictions toward environmental sustainability. So when afforded the opportunity to create a new home for the BioWheels bicycle business, there was no question that it would be done “green”.
BioWheels purchased a 1920′s building that surely would have been demolished by most commercial property “investors” and spent 15 months ‘green renovating’ the entire structure. Here’s what was done:
- First Commercial Green Building in Asheville
- Recipient of NC Energy Improvement Loan Program
- Existing materials removed from structure were Re-Used or Recycled
- New materials were sourced through locally-owned businesses whenever possible
- Energy modeling by Home Energy Partners & Simms Engineering
- Solar Hot Water system installed for in-floor heat & domestic hot water
- Energy-efficient, ductless Mitsubishi A/C units
- Insulation: 6″-9″ Home Energy Partners Icynene in east & south walls, 2″ blue-board under new concrete slab and in west & north walls
- Energy-efficient Windows & Skylights are double-pane with insulated frames
- Vegetable-based Paints, Stains and Sealers from Shelter Ecology
- Insulated (R30) white Mule Hyde Roof installed by Dry Ridge Roofing
- Countertops made of sunflower husks, recycled newspaper & soy esters
- Energy Star Flourescent light bulbs throughout the building
- Outside Garden Spaces planted by Asheville GreenWorks add natural beauty and help capture parking lot run-off
- Custom cabinets built with formaldehyde-free birch plywood & solid local birch
- Flooring & stairs are made of solid Bamboo
- State-of-the-Art, non-toxic, skin-friendly microbial bike parts cleaner
- All water is filtered once, and drinking water is double-filtered
- Shower for employee bike commuters
- Photovoltaic solar panels that provide electricity also run the two electric vehicle charging stations on site.
We opened our amazing new store at 81 Coxe Avenue on Saturday, June 9th 2007. Everybody felt the good vibe we built into our new location. Here is the complete Photo Essay on the project.
BioWheels has been featured in New Life Journal as a “pioneer of sustainable business for Downtown Asheville”. Check out the Green Construction Critique from the Pros @ New Life Journal.
The Complete Construction Story is here: 81 Coxe Construction Story_Short
There are many folks who helped get us to this point. Ian Lione has been our primary ‘subcontractor extraordinaire’. Working closely with Ben Poss, PE & Matt Johnson, Ian is responsible for the bulk of the restoration & oversight of the new slab, window restoration & addition foundation & framing. Ole Sorenson of Solar Dynamics has helped us envision the technologies that are practical to our application- ie- in floor heat & solar heated water & floors. Isaac Savage from Home Energy Partners has helped with energy modelling & Icynene insulation. Cindy Meehan-Patton of Shelter Ecology has helped ensure that all touchable surfaces are non-toxic & environmentally friendly. John Chappell, PE. from Sims Engineers & Ben Poss, PE. of Poss Construction have both helped us show the City of Asheville that we can build a healthier & more sustainable retail structure than it has yet seen. Materials & fasteners were sourced almost completely through locally-owned family businesses.
A few other folks we’d like to mention are Rob Bullock (owner of Sante’ Wine Bar). He fabricated & installed the beautiful, formaldehyde-free birch cabinetry. Asheville Kitchen Tops provided the recycled sunflower & newspaper counter tops. Our computer network details were designed by Marc Roberts of Firmworks . Our ADA friendly bathroom was completed by Terry Runion of Runion Enterprises. Our driveway was paved by French Broad Paving Company. The excellent ‘knock-down’ drywall was installed & finished by Jim Eitl and his crew. The soy-based Eco-paints have all been artistically applied by Robert Kroemer of Brilliant Painting. One of the greatest traits all of the afformetioned people have in common is their ability to think unconventionally & execute their work according to BioWheels guiding principles. Special thanks to the Asheville Streets Division, who upon my request, rebuilt our sidewalk & driveway entrance. Of all of the City employees that I worked with, extra special thanks go out Susannah Carver (permitting) & Ron Evans (plan review). These two individuals helped guide me through the long web of permitting. Our outdoor greenspace/gardens were graciously installed by Quality Forward.
