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S.U.N.Y. Fashion Institute of Technology
A Master Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Sustainable Interior Environments at the School of Graduate
Studies, Fashion Institute of Technology in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Sustainable
Interior Environments
by
Olesya Lyusaya August 2013
Mentor: Peter Johnston
ii
© 2013 Olesya Lyusaya
iii
This is to certify that the undersigned approve the thesis submitted by
Olesya Lyusaya
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts
in Sustainable Interior Environments
______________________________________________ Grazyna Pilatowicz, Chairperson
______________________________________________ Peter Johnston, Mentor
______________________________________________ Mary Davis, Dean, School of Graduate Studies
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ABSTRACT
This thesis undertakes an exploration of the best practices in material selections and
home features that could inform rebuilding single family homes in Midland Beach, Staten
Island in the aftermath of unprecedented flooding brought by Superstorm Sandy.
This research first provides an overview of attributes of residential materials and
features, which are defined as sustainable and/or resilient to floods. Precedents of flood
mitigation and possible reconstruction solutions in other cities are identified, along with
rebuilding recommendations provided by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The purpose of the case study performed was to determine if the homeowners’
approach to re-building homes in Midland Beach, Staten Island did change after the natural
disaster. The research goal was to learn if homeowners are making resilient and sustainable
choices in reconstruction of their residences. Surveys and interviews with residents in
Midland Beach, Staten Island were conducted to gain insight into which, if any, resilient and
sustainable choices were made by the residents of this area. The case study results showed
that some of the surveyed and interviewed homeowners made rebuilding decisions that
resulted in more flood resistive homes. In some cases these decisions were made due to
recommendations provided by contractors. Not all homeowners sought rebuilding
information and some didn’t receive resilient material recommendations, resulting in non-
resilient materials used in rebuilding of their homes.
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DEDICATION
I dedicate this thesis to my dad Sergey Lyusyy (1960-2011), who encouraged me to pursue
my master’s degree and who said to me “education will never hurt”.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to thank Grazyna Pilatowicz the Sustainable Interior Environments
Graduate Program Chair, for her guidance and inspiration, my mentor Architect Peter
Johnston for his time and advice, and my advisors Architect John C. Sweeney and Brett
Little, Executive Director of Alliance for Environmental Sustainability, for their counsel. I
would also like to thank the dedicated educators in the graduate program. I am grateful to
all of my classmates for all of their advice and support throughout these two years. Finally
and most importantly I would like to thank my family for their support and patience.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................................... iv
DEDICATION ..................................................................................................................................... v
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ...................................................................................................................... vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................... vii
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................ ix
LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................................... x
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1
THESIS STATEMENT ........................................................................................................ 1
THESIS JUSTIFICATION .................................................................................................... 1
RESEARCH QUESTIONS ................................................................................................... 2
HYPOTHESIS .................................................................................................................... 2
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................ 2
POPULATION SAMPLE ...................................................................................................... 4
RAW DATA ........................................................................................................................ 4
RELIABILITY ..................................................................................................................... 4
LIMITATIONS .................................................................................................................... 4
DELIMITATIONS ............................................................................................................... 5
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS .................................................................................................. 5
CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF POSSIBLE SUSTAINABLE AND FLOOD RESISTANT MATERIALS AND
FEATURES FOR HOMES ................................................................................................................. 7
MATERIALS AND FEATURES FOR HOMES OVERVIEW ..................................................... 7
MATERIALS INFORMATION .......................................................................................... 7
HOME FEATURES INFORMATION ............................................................................... 12
REBUILDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FLOOD PRONE AREAS .............................. 21
GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS & INCENTIVES ................................................................... 26
DATABASE OF STATE INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLES AND EFFICIENCY (DSIRE) ... 26
ENERGY STAR FOR HOMES ....................................................................................... 27
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NEW YORK ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NYSERDA) ....... 29
FLOOD CAUSES AND MITIGATION: PRESEDENTS ......................................................... 30
HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY ............................................................................................ 30
PITT COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA ............................................................................... 31
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA ....................................................................................... 32
CHAPTER 3: CASE STUDY – MIDLAND BEACH ........................................................................... 35
MIDLAND BEACH, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK ............................................................ 35
HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT IN STATEN ISLAND ...................................................... 35
EXISTING CONDITIONS IN MIDLAND BEACH ............................................................. 39
CASE STUDY ANALYSIS .................................................................................................. 47
MATERIALS AND FEATURES ADVERTIZED IN HOMES FOR SALE LISTINGS ............. 47
HOMEOWNERS SURVEYS’ RESULTS ......................................................................... 48
INTERVIEWS’ RESULTS .............................................................................................. 51
CASE STUDY FINDINGS .............................................................................................. 53
SYNTHESIS OF CASE STUDY ...................................................................................... 54
CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................ 55
BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................................. 57
APPENDIX A: ................................................................................................................................ 63
APPENDIX B: ................................................................................................................................ 64
APPENDIX C: ................................................................................................................................ 66
APPENDIX D: ................................................................................................................................ 67
APPENDIX E:................................................................................................................................. 69
APPENDIX F: ................................................................................................................................. 71
APPENDIX G: ................................................................................................................................ 75
APPENDIX H: ................................................................................................................................ 76
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Class description of materials (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2008, p.
4) ...................................................................................................................23
Figure 2 partial wet floodproofing technique (Federal Emergency Management Agency,
2008, p. 16) .....................................................................................................24
Figure 3 Benefits of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (Energy Star, n.d.b) ..............27
Figure 4 Typical Home Improvements (Energy Star, n.d.c) ...........................................28
Figure 5 Staten Island in the context of other New York City boroughs and surrounding areas
(The City of New York, 2013). ...............................................................................36
Figure 6 Map of Staten Island (Office of the Borough President, n.d.). ...........................39
Figure 7 map of Midland Beach (The New York Times Company, 2011). ........................40
Figure 8 Photograph of residential development prior to the storm, taken by author in 2012
.....................................................................................................................41
Figure 9 Midland Beach Flood Level, photograph by author in 2012 .............................42
Figure 10 Zone A Midland beach (The Weather Channel, 2012). ..................................43
Figure 11 Staten Island, N.Y., before & after Sandy (Main, 2012) .................................45
Figure 12 Question 1 Survey Results .....................................................................49
Figure 13 Question 2 Survey Results .....................................................................49
Figure 14 Question 3 Survey Results .....................................................................50
Figure 15 Question 4 Survey Results .....................................................................50
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Attributes of light sources………………………………………………………………………………….15
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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
THESIS STATEMENT
Natural disasters are affecting many cities throughout the United States and the
world. In renovations of homes devastated by floods simply replacing damaged materials
creates the risk of repeated problems each time a future disaster occurs. A variety of
information sources including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood
mitigation strategies, and examples of “lessons learned” through previous flooding
precedents occurring in urban areas, can be utilized when rebuilding New York area after
Superstorm Sandy. There are listings of resilient materials that provide information about
materials that can better withstand water damage. There are also incentive programs
offered to homeowners who rebuild after disasters that promote smart decision making.
This research provides an overview of examples of sustainable and flood resistant
characteristics of materials and features that should be employed while rebuilding in flood
prone areas. The research also provides a review of government incentives as well as flood
mitigation information published by FEMA. The wake of Superstorm Sandy has shown the
fragility of the residential homes in the town of Midland Beach, Staten Island, NY. Therein
lays the reason to assess the rebuilding of homes in this area, as well as to learn if residents
will make more sustainable decisions that will be beneficial in creating resilient, adaptive,
healthier residences.
THESIS JUSTIFICATION
Sustainably developed homes provide healthy indoor environments, limit impact on
the global environment, and provide financial incentives. They typically offer energy and
water savings, construction and operational waste management, reduced pollution, and use
of renewable materials that reduce negative impact on the Earth’s ecological systems. As a
result of climate change and re-occurring intensified natural disasters, resiliency has
become an additionally important part of sustainable development. Resiliency requires
design and construction of residences to withstand various climatic events such as floods,
droughts, tornados, and hurricanes.
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Immense damage experienced from Superstorm Sandy has impacted residents’
perception of possible future floods. Existing homes in Midland Beach were not built with
consideration of such intense floods and storms. The experience of devastation caused by
Superstorm Sandy and the neighborhood’s proximity to the ocean suggests high likelihood
of a repeated disaster. This understanding should result in homeowners rebuilding their
homes to be resilient and sustainable in order to prevent similar scale damage.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Which materials used in residential construction are
known to be sustainable and/or resilient to floods?
Which homes’ features are known to be sustainable
and/or resilient to floods?
Will the residents who are rebuilding their homes in
Midland Beach use materials and features that are
resilient to floods and sustainable?
HYPOTHESIS
Ample amount of information on rebuilding private residencies with sustainable and
resilient materials and features is available. A large amount of this information is easily
accessible through books, magazines, various organizations’ and governmental agencies’
websites. The hypothesis of this exploration is that majority of homeowners in Midland
Beach who are rebuilding their homes will not rebuild with resilient and/or sustainable
materials and features, because they are not aware of the benefits that these materials and
features can provide.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The sources of information used in this thesis are primary and secondary sources. In
order to establish what the current recommendations are for building sustainable and flood
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resilient homes, secondary sources of information were utilized including books, magazines,
and websites. The research about Midland Beach history included a museum exhibition
From Farm to City: Staten Island 1661-2012, exhibited by the Museum of the City of New
York. The exhibition ran from September 13, 2012 through January 21, 2013. Areas
reviewed included: life-cycle assessment (LCA), products and materials certifications, water
and energy saving techniques, and rebuilding recommendations. These topics provide an
overview of the main components that can make a home better and healthier place to live in
and assure its durability and resiliency even if catastrophic events like flooding disaster
occur.
Data of typical materials and features used in Midland Beach homes were obtained
through the review of 20 residences for sale. This secondary data were retrieved from four
real estate websites:
www.realestatesiny.com
www.realestate.silive.com
www.trulia.com
www.zillow.com
The “for sale” listings were selected at random and reviewed for appliances, electrical
panels, heating & cooling, doors & windows, flooring, walls, ceiling and counter top
materials. The research was performed to gain knowledge of the typical materials and
features used in Midland Beach single-family homes.
The collection of primary data was achieved through surveys handed out to randomly
selected homeowners who live in Midland Beach neighborhood. Following the results of the
surveys, email interviews were conducted with several homeowners who agreed to
participate. The agenda for the interviews was to learn whether homeowners are re-
constructing homes with the use of sustainable materials and climate change mitigating
adaptation techniques.
The surveys and interviews analyzed the home status and the homeowners’
understanding of the following:
1. Home damage sustained from Superstorm Sandy
2. Homeowner willingness to rebuild
3. “Tags” defining level of destruction issued by the Department of Buildings
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4. Rebuilding methodology (preventative measures for future floods)
Surveys and interview questions can be found in the Appendix G and Appendix H.
POPULATION SAMPLE
The population group that was studied was the current homeowners in Midland Beach.
No other population was studied. A part of the study included homes for sale listings posted
on real-estate websites, which is described in Chapter 3. The population group and listings
were sought in the Midland Beach area of Staten Island. The study looked at single family
homes in this area that were affected by Superstorm Sandy. The sample was a simple
random sample.
RAW DATA
Raw data is in following formats:
Survey questionnaires
Email interviews
RELIABILITY
The reliability of the study is based on whether or not the findings can be applied to
other areas affected by flooding. The actual reliability is not verified in this study.
LIMITATIONS
Research findings were impacted by:
Limited information on real estate websites advertizing homes for sale.
Location limited to Staten Island, Midland Beach neighborhood. The area of
research is shown in Figure 7.
Time constraints and limited access to surveyed population.
With mixed population of different nationalities, language was a barrier for non-
native English speakers.
Weather: surveys and interviews took place in cold winter months, which may
have decreased the expected participation.
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The study focused solely on existing homes.
DELIMITATIONS
It was not a goal of this study to create generalized recommendations for a single
family home that can be applied in other locations, but rather to provide information that
addresses particular local conditions of the homes, neighborhood and future changes.
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
The following terms are defined for the purpose of this thesis:
Sustainability –“is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our
survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment.
Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can
exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other
requirements of present and future generations. Sustainability is important to making sure
that we have and will continue to have, the water, materials, and resources to protect
human health and our environment” (United States Environmental Protection Agency,
2013).
Sustainable homes – homes designed and built to provide all necessary services and
functions while respecting the planet’s limited natural resources by utilizing products, which
reduce energy and water consumption, and use materials that provide a healthy living
environment for the occupants.
Sustainable materials – materials which can have one or more positive attributes, for
example being locally sourced and/or manufactured, requiring low maintenance, causing
low or no off-gassing, being durable, long lasting, rapidly renewable, recyclable or having
recycled content.
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Resiliency – ability to return to original condition after a deformation or destruction.
Resilient homes – residences built utilizing several components including but not
limited to special layout, materials and features, mitigation techniques and construction
methods, which in a case of a natural disaster will withstand most of the damage and may
only require cleaning or replacement of non resilient components. In this thesis the natural
disaster addressed is a flood.
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CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF POSSIBLE SUSTAINABLE AND FLOOD RESISTANT MATERIALS
AND FEATURES FOR HOMES
MATERIALS AND FEATURES FOR HOMES OVERVIEW
Materials and home features are components of interior spaces, which greatly affect
people’s experiences, comfort, and health. They are critically important especially when
preparing for re-building devastated homes in flood zones. Resiliency endows homes to
stand stronger with minimal damage in case of re-occurring natural disasters, and
sustainability provides healthier interior environments for occupants, uses fewer resources,
and may lower operational costs.
MATERIALS INFORMATION
Interior materials contribute to the quality and performance of interior environment.
When aesthetics are peeled back, other characteristics are revealed, which include
performance and durability, as well as all other attributes that determine the material’s
impact on peoples’ health, and on global and interior environments. The analyses below
describe available methods for the evaluation of materials and products: life cycle
assessment, embodied energy, certifications, and benefits and drawbacks of interior
materials. Knowing materials’ attributes can guide a homeowner to make better choices
especially when rebuilding after a disaster.
Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a significant consideration when choosing materials for
an interior environment. LCA is “a science that aims to quantify all the impacts of a product
or service” (Environmental Building News, 2008) and provides information about the
environmental impact of the material or product that is evaluated (Malin, 2002). LCA of a
“product typically consider[s] the extraction or harvesting of the raw materials, the refining
and manufacturing processes that turn those raw materials into useful products,
transportation of those products, their use, and their eventual disposal or reuse” (Malin,
2002, p. NA). LCA analyzes all of the environmental impacts and burdens and takes into
account by-products and waste created from extracting, manufacturing, distributing,
transporting, constructing, using, reusing, recycling, and disposal of a material. A material’s
ability to withstand a flood is a part of the life cycle assessment: the more resilient the
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material is the longer it can remain in use and function as a productive and long lasting
ingredient of a home.
Another way to analyze a material is through quantifying its embodied energy. Elizabeth
Wilhide (2003) describes embodied energy as “the sum of the energy required at all stages
of production” (p. 122). According to Green Building Advisor (2013) embodied energy is
“[e]nergy that goes into making a product; includes energy required for growth, extraction,
and transportation of the raw material as well as manufacture, packaging, and
transportation of the finished product. Embodied energy is often used to measure ecological
cost.” The final decision about material choice should also include accounting for the energy
used when transporting the product to its destination. Materials that are locally made
require less transportation to reach the consumer, which lowers the embodied energy of the
material, therefore making the material less “expensive” to the environment, i.e. more
sustainable.
Typical materials used in residential interiors include stone, metal, wood, plastic, glass,
gypsum, paint, carpet, and fabric. Sustainable consideration of any material should start
with basic questions, and the answers should be weighed when making the final decision:
What are the components of a material?
Where and how was the raw material acquired/extracted?
Where and how was this material produced/manufactured?
Does the material have recycled content?
Can the material be recycled?
What are the proper methods of installation?
What is the expected life span?
Is the material durable enough for its specified use?
Will this material impact indoor air quality?
What is the embodied energy of this material?
Additional question that should be addressed in case of installation in the flood
prone areas: is this material resilient to flood water?
Determining the sustainability of materials is difficult, and must include weighing preferable
characteristics for each option. Questions such as the ones above provide insight to the
attributes of each material. A material that has all desired characteristics may not exist, but
9
knowing a material’s attributes will help each homeowner to make a better decision for their
re-building project.
When evaluating a material or product it may be very helpful to know what
certifications, if any, this product has and which standards those certifications address. “A
standard is a set of guidelines and criteria against which a product can be judged. A
certification says that a product meets those criteria” (Roberts & Atlee, 2008). Certifications
assure certain attributes of products whether they relate to content, quality, performance or
the entire life cycle. There are three levels of certification that describe relation between
product manufacturer and certification body. The most reliable is third party certification
issued by an unbiased organization that performs tests to check for product or material
performance and compliance, but has no vested interest in the outcome. When a product
receives a third party certification it means that it has been tested and has passed the
preset guides for achieving the certification (Atlee, 2011). The second party certification is
less reliable because it may be issued by a trade organization or consulting company that
may benefit from the testing outcome, therefore certification may be partial to their agenda.
The first party certification is the least reliable because a manufacturing company makes
claims about their product with no other party confirming these claims (Atlee, 2011).
The nongovernmental group, International Standards Organization (ISO), formed in
1947, is the largest group developing voluntary international standards for materials and
products (Atlee, 2011). ISO identifies three kinds of labels for products, Type I, Type II, and
Type III. Type I labels meet multiple-attribute requirements. “Type II labels are verifiable,
single-attribute environmental claims for such things as energy consumption, emission or
recycled content” (Atlee, 2011, p. 12). Type III labels are otherwise called environmental
product declaration (EPD) and provide detailed product information. The information
provided includes “product description, manufacturing data, performance characteristics,
end-of-life data, and toxicity factors at different stages of the life cycle” (Atlee, 2011, p. 53).
Making a sustainable choice is not easy. Information provided in advertisements often
distracts from the facts. Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent testing and
certification organization, provides consumers with information about products and verifies
manufacturers’ claims. Underwriters Laboratory (2013) lists seven sins often committed by
companies marketing their products, which include:
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1. ‘Sin of the hidden trade-off’: companies promoting a product as “green” even though
the sustainable traits of that product are minor, and may be outweighed by negative
attributes.
2. ‘Sin of no proof’: companies make claims that cannot be verified.
3. ‘Sin of vagueness’: company’s claim is defined in ambiguous terms that may result in
misunderstanding.
4. ‘Sin of worshiping false labels’: products make a false claim of third party
endorsement when there is no such party.
5. ‘Sin of irrelevance’: products make claims that are unrelated or don’t actually matter.
6. ‘Sin of lesser of two evils’: company advertising the positive attribute of a product but
overlooking or hiding the negative one.
7. ‘Sin of fibbing’: companies lie about the claim, for example completely making up
their claim.
Being aware of “the Seven Sins” or “green washing” is crucial when making choices of a
material or product for the interior of a home. The UL is an example of a third party certifier,
which certifies a variety of products including appliances, equipment, lighting fixtures, air
conditioners, hair styling products and more.
Another example of a third party certifier is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
“Third-party forest certification based on standards developed by FSC is the best way to
ensure that wood products come from well-managed forests. Wood products must go
through a chain-of-custody certification process to carry an FSC stamp” (GreenSpec Team,
2012).
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important aspect of the built environment that directly
impacts people’s health. Some certifications help to identify and limit indoor air
contaminants by “recognizing products with low emission of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs)” (Atlee, 2011, p. 23). In his book Choosing Green, author Jerry Yudelson provides
guidance for green homes and discuses VOC’s. According to Yudelson (2008) VOC’s are
found in paint, sealants, adhesives, carpets and other products . VOC’s have an odor that is
often perceived as reminiscent of a new item smell. This type of scent, Yudelson writes, can
be considered as a warning sign upon home or product purchase. The VOC odors do affect
the indoor air quality and often consist of pollutants and chemicals, which may be harmful
and/or may cause allergies. IAQ becomes compromised when products with odors are used.
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No smell at all is typically better than a new product smell. Marian Keeler (2009) writes
about indoor air quality and the ways to manage the risks of indoor air pollution through
certifications. “If a particular product carries no certification, this fact would provide a basis
to eliminate that product from consideration, thus managing the risk” (Keeler, 2009, p.
166). Use of low VOC products is always favorable. Indoor air quality is important in every
interior space, but air quality should be especially tested and analyzed in homes affected by
flooding.
Another important and beneficial characteristic of materials is recyclability.
Recyclability means that the material can be removed, re-processed and put to use again.
This is often not a simple process and always requires input of energy. Products consisting
of several materials can be designed for disassembly, which means that their components
can be taken apart and reused or recycled. Some of the materials are biodegradable, which
means that they can degrade back into the environment.
Materials may have two types of recycled content: post consumer – materials that
are collected after being used, and pre consumer – cuttings and damaged materials
collected before use. All of the materials with recycled content keep a portion of the material
from going to the landfill. There can be downsides to the post consumer recycling: “For
example, studies show that some curbside collection programs and recycling processes use
more energy than they save” (GreenSpec Team, 2012). In addition, toxic particles can be
created during the process of recycling. In recycling a closed loop system is ideal, thereby
making sure the recycled materials are not being degraded. Losing quality of the original
material during the recycling is sometimes called “down cycling”. In pre consumer recycling
the material can be recycled as an originating material or as something different. For
example “iron-ore slag [can be used] to make mineral wool insulation” (GreenSpec Team,
2012). By and large there are environmental benefits whether using a pre or post consumer
product with recycled content.
Construction waste management can keep a significant amount of recyclable
materials out of the waste-stream. It can also support use of salvaged materials, which are
materials that are being reused in another location or for another purpose. It should be
noted that water damaged demolition waste may not be recyclable due to growth of mold or
other problems such as water absorption. Salvaged materials can play a role in using less of
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virgin material. Reusing materials whether for the same application or another use keeps
those materials out of the waste stream and lessens the burden on global resources.
Use of materials that are certified as sustainably harvested and rapidly renewable is
important to prevent further depletion of natural resources including many endangered
species and, for example, to limit rapid progression of deforestation. In sustainable forest
management practice each harvested tree is replaced with two or more planted trees. Third
party certification organizations such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) oversee and
certify sustainable management of forests, which require not only planting of new trees but
also preservation of “ecological functions, old-growth forests, plantations, restoration, native
habitat, indigenous people’s rights, and sound management for timber production”(2012).
FSC is an example of a certification whose goals are to benefit all parties involved in the
manufacturing of the products.
Locally harvested and manufactured materials minimize their embodied energy and
lessen the environmental burden by reducing the need for transportation. Sourcing durable
materials will allow a product to last longer and to remain in good condition. Some durable
and resilient materials can withstand inundation and can continue to be used after a flood.
Materials that require less maintenance are beneficial as well because they limit the
amount of cleaning supplies and labor needed, which can save operating and environmental
costs over the lifetime of a material or product.
As mentioned previously, there are many aspects of materials and it is difficult to
make good choices. The best decisions can only be made when homeowners know what
characteristics to look for and what the occupants’ requirements are. Every project is
different, therefore each decision should be project-based whether purchasing a single
material or building an entire home.
HOME FEATURES INFORMATION
Decisions made by designers, contractors and homeowners during design, construction,
or renovation of a home need to be informed and require diligence. The following Home
Features Information section provides a general overview for acclimating building methods,
strategies, and equipment choices in order to achieve efficient and longer lasting homes.
This information presents a starting point for decision making while specifying the following:
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appliances, electrical lighting and daylighting, plumbing fixtures, electrical box/panel
location and heating and cooling. Some of the benefits from proper planning and
implementation include energy and water savings, improved indoor environment, durability
and resilience.
APPLIANCES
Major appliances for a home include washers and dryers, dishwashers and
refrigerators. All of these appliances consume energy and/or water. Until the 1990’s there
were no significant efforts to manufacture appliances that would conserve energy and/or
water resources. In 1992 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency created the Energy Star
program. This rating system, initially a voluntary program for computers and monitors, has
evolved to encompass most appliances and electronics and became the leading symbol for
energy efficiency. The Energy Star program gave people the opportunity to purchase
products, which require less electricity and, through requiring less power generation,
resulted in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Annual Energy Outlook
2012, the demand for electricity in the residential setting will grow at approximately 18%
between the years of 2010 and 2035. Likewise there was a prediction of a steady increase
in electricity price in the same time period of approximately 3% (United States
Environmental Protection Agency, 2007). Since it is known that the price of energy will go
up, using Energy Star Rated appliances is recommended to lower monthly utility expenses.
Saving on operating costs is important, however the other considerable benefit of using
Energy Star appliances is lowering environmental burden.
According to the ENERGY STAR Qualified Appliances Save Energy through Advanced
Technologies online document, the program is broken into two cost categories:
Energy Star appliance initial price.
The price of monthly maintenance including monthly energy and water use to run
the appliance.
Based on these analysis there are several benefits of Energy Star appliances:
Lower utility payments.
Better qualities of products, such as longevity, extended warranties, etc.
Better appliance performance.
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The document lists recommendations such as: providing adequate space around the
refrigerator for air movement and to provide access to dust the coils, for dishwasher using
quick wash option for loads other than the dirtiest loads, and for washing machines using
appropriate detergent quantity. Following these simple suggestions assure energy savings
(United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2007).
Data released in 2008 by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers illustrate
that since 2000 clothes washers have lowered the energy consumption by 64% and
increased tub room by 9%. The data showed that from 2000 to 2008 refrigerators and
dishwashers have also become 30% more efficient. According to a statement from the
article “Home Appliance Energy Savings Quantified” today most refrigerators use less than a
60 watt lamp that is on all day (EDC, 2009). Use of Energy Star products assures savings on
utility bills.
ELECTRICAL LIGHTING AND DAYLIGHTING
Light is an important aspect of daily lives. Light allows people to work, to perform
specific tasks, to enjoy moments, etc. Comfortable light is the goal for any interior space.
There are several types of light sources commonly used in homes. Major examples include:
incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, and a recent addition: light-emitting diode (LED).
Another light source that is used at home is daylight - the natural light from the sun.
The following are definitions of the common light sources as described by Gary Gordon
in his book Interior Lighting and Michael Stiller in his book Quality Lighting for High
Performance Buildings:
Incandescent lamp is a “lamp in which a filament produces light when heated to
incandescence by an electric current” (Gordon, 2002, p. 72).
Halogen lamp “is an incandescent lamp with a selected gas of the halogen family
sealed into it. As the lamp burns, the halogen gas combines with tungsten molecules
that sputter off the filament and deposits the tungsten back on the filament, rather
than on the bulb wall” (Gordon, 2002, p. 73).
Fluorescent lamp is “a low-pressure, mercury-vapor, electric-discharge lamp having a
phosphor coating on its inner surface that transforms the ultraviolet energy
generated by the discharge into visible light” (Gordon, 2002, p. 280).
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LED or light-emitting diodes are “small point sources that can be easily incorporated
with optical systems comprised of reflectors and lenses to produce a highly
controllable distribution of light” (Stiller, 2012, p. 111).
In order to understand the varied lighting sources and their performance abilities, the
table below provides a comparison between these four sources. The table was created with
the use of Michael Stiller’s book called Quality Lighting for High Performance Buildings.
Table 1 Attributes of light sources
ATTRIBUTE INCANDESCANT HALOGEN FLUORESCENT LED
EFFICIENCY NO BETTER THAN INCANDESCENT
YES YES
LAMP LIFE (HOURS)
750-6000 2000-6000 24,000-60,000 50,000-60,000
DIMMABLE YES YES YES, WITH DIMMING BALLAST
YES, WITH DIMMING DRIVER
NEEDS BALLAST/
TRANSFORMER
NO MAY REQUIRE TRANSFORMER
BALLAST DRIVER
CRI 100 100 82-85 90+
EFFICACY (LUMEN/WATT)
10-17 16-26 70-102 60-100
INCLUDE TOXIC MATERIAL
NO NO YES YES
There are a few items to consider when choosing light sources. Color rendering index
(CRI) is used to “measure the ability of electric lighting sources to accurately render the
colors of objects” (Stiller, 2012, p. 85) on a scale from 1-100. The higher the number the
better the CRI is. The table above informs of the CRI in the four main light sources used in
residential interiors. The sources with CRI 100 are the best but LED with CRI 90 (or higher) is
very close to CRI 100, and is able to provide excellent color rendering. The fluorescent with
CRI of 82-85 is also good. Today fluorescent lamps are available in variety of warm and cool
color temperatures. The light output from fluorescent lamps is not easily controlled;
therefore they are not good for accent lighting, however they are excellent for general
lighting (Stiller, 2012).
Considerations of toxic materials inside light sources are also important. “If a light
source, or lamp, is energy-efficient, but is made with mercury or other toxic substances that
16
need to be segregated from the environment at the end of its life, that needs to be
considered” (Stiller, 2012, p. 86). Discarding lamps, which contain toxic components, should
be done in an appropriate manner so that toxic waste is not entering the environment.
Although the fluorescent and LED light sources have the longest life, the fact, that they use
toxic material to operate should not be overlooked.
Efficiency is important for light sources. Incandescent lamps were most commonly used
in residential setting, but today they are being phased out. The Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 requires’ the phasing out of 100-watt incandescent lamps by 2012-
2014 (Yudelson, 2008). Negative aspects of the incandescent lamps include energy
inefficiency and a short life span. Incandescent light sources also generate heat and through
this increase demand for cooling in the summer.
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are the newest light sources available today. They are far
more efficient than incandescent and halogen lamps. The light provided by LEDs is available
in many different colors including warm, cool and RGB (red, green and blue). Manufacturers
are developing many residential fixtures with internal LED sources. Some of the types of LED
fixtures include down lights, wall sconces, exterior lights for landscaping and façades. Also
available now are LED strips, which can be used in cove light ceiling applications.
When designing for optimal use of daylight attention should be initially given to properly
orient the house and appropriately plan layout of interior spaces. Daylighting can be
maximized indoors by allowing the natural light to enter into interior spaces, but to achieve
successful daylighting the light entering needs to be controlled. For example, “minimize the
infiltration of direct sunlight onto any work surfaces, or any surfaces on our general field of
view” (Stiller, 2012, p. 137). This is done with the use of exterior shutters, shades or
drapery. Louvers can be used to project light deeper into interiors, which can work especially
well if the louvers are a lighter color because light colors reflect light. “Care must be taken to
regulate the daylight infiltration, as too much light in the wrong place, or from the wrong
direction, can be as detrimental to the quality of an interior environment as too little” (Stiller,
2012, p. 139). For example, south facing windows without daylight control system can
create too much light that can cause glare. Daylight that is too bright, glary or that produces
high contrast can create uncomfortable environment for the occupants. Daylighting provides
a great opportunity to minimize use of the electric light and should be planned for wisely.
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PLUMBING FIXTURES
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) 99% of the Earths water
is non-potable. Of this, 97% is salt water and the remaining 2% is in frozen glaciers. With the
average 168 gallons used in U.S, per person per day, the water use rate is higher than the
water renewal (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2011).
In residential settings more than half of the water use occurs in bathrooms (United
States Environmental Protection Agency, 2013). Thirty-two percent is due to toilet water
consumption (Stoyke, 2007). Toilets in older homes used 7 gallons per flush (gpf) and some
used 3.5 gpf. This has changed today because of federal standards. In the book Your Green
Home, Alex Wilson explains: “since 1994, federal standards have required that new toilets
can use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush” (Wilson, 2006, p. 149). With new government
programs such as WaterSense, conserving water has become more realistic and attainable
for homeowners.
“WaterSense, a partnership program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, seeks
to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less
water with water-efficient products, new homes, and services” (United States Environmental
Protection Agency, 2013). The benefits of careful water use are clear. “Evidence suggests
that the recent droughts in the American West may be the norm rather than the exception …
we may be forced in the not-too-distant future to adapt to water scarcity, not only in the
West” (Wilson, 2006, p. 147). Water conservation will decrease the burdens experienced by
fresh water supply and water treatment systems (Wilson, 2006, p. 148).
Though this section is dedicated to plumbing fixtures, it should be mentioned that
conserving hot water also conserves energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (US
DOE), 18 percent of typical household utility bill is for water heating. US DOE provides four
methods to save on water heating: “use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your
water heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient model” (U.S.
Department of Energy, 2012).
As mentioned above, programs such as WaterSense have been surpassing the
standards by supporting innovation in plumbing fixtures. In the article Slow the Flow, the
author Carrie Madren discusses the 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) federal mandate for new
showerhead water flow (Madren, 2011). WaterSense label requires that showerheads which
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“earn the WaterSense label must demonstrate that they use no more than 2.0 gpm. The
WaterSense label also ensures that these products provide a satisfactory shower that is
equal to or better than conventional showerheads on the market” (United States
Environmental Protection Agency, 2013). Carrie Madren moves on to say that, exploring
available options can lead to locating showerheads, which use only 1.75 gpm or lower.
According to the showerheads information section found on the US EPA webpage, the
average family can save 2,900 gallons per year when utilizing the WaterSense showerheads
in their residences. Furthermore, a savings of $2.2 billion on water bills and 260 gallons or
more can be saved annually if every residence is America used these showerheads.
In bathrooms, the standard faucet water flow rate is 2.2 gpm. Although this high flow
rate may be necessary in a kitchen, it is not essential in a bathroom. WaterSense requires
bathroom faucets to use a maximum of 1.5 gpm, reducing the flow by 30 percent from the
standard flow (U.S. Department of Energy, 2013). The installation of a faucet using 1.5gpm
is ideal when replacing an existing faulty faucet, or in new construction. Since the
WaterSense program is voluntary, with existing faucets using higher flow rate of 2.2 gpm,
faucet replacement is not required to save water. A sink aerator can be installed onto an
existing faucet. According to Green Suites “Sink Aerators offer flow control technology that
will limit water usage as low as 0.5 Gallons Per Minute (GPM). Faucets have never been so
efficient” (Green Suites, 2013).
Similarly to the recommendation for aerators noted above, the US EPA makes the
same recommendation for kitchen faucets. “The aerator - the screw-on tip of the faucet-
ultimately determines the maximum flow rate of a faucet. If you have an older kitchen
faucet, consider replacing the aerator with a more efficient one” (United States
Environmental protection Agency, 2012). Faucets are responsible for 15 percent of indoor
water use; this adds up to 1 trillion gallons throughout the U.S. annually (United States
Environmental protection Agency, 2012). Currently kitchen sink faucets should have a flow
rate of 2.2 gpm in compliance with federal standards (EPA WaterSense, 2012). Kitchen
faucets are already available with a lower gallon per minute flow than the federal standard.
When building a new home or making a major renovation on an existing home, there
is a better way to plumb the plumbing fixtures. In the article “Design for Adaptation: Living in
a Climate-Changing World”, Alex Wilson and Andrea Ward, make a recommendation for
plumbing fixtures. They begin by recommending the installation of ‘state-of-the-art’ water
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saving fixtures when replacing old ones. Wilson and Ward recommend a change in plumbing
pipe diameter. “For example, if a water-saving, 0.5 gallon per minute (1.9 lpm), lavatory
faucet is supplied by 3/4” (19 mm) pipe, there will be a long wait for hot water. The wait
time (and water waste) can be significantly reduced by running a 3/8” diameter (10 mm)
line to this feature” (Wilson & Ward, 2009). The use of smaller diameter pipes can also save
some cost in the piping lines, and lower the use of material that the pipes are made of.
Conserving water will benefit homeowners, by reducing their water utility bills, this will also
help to preserve the Earth’s precious resource.
ELECTRICAL PANEL
During Superstorm Sandy much the Midland Beach community experienced loss of
power and then the necessity to replace the electrical panels. In homes the electrical panel
is typically installed in the basement. Alex Wilson and Andrea Ward recommend relocating
not only the electrical panels but also all electrical equipment. “To minimize damage- and
danger- from flooding, elevate mechanical equipment, electrical panels, and other
equipment above a reasonably expected flood level” (Wilson & Ward, 2009). This is
something homeowners should know, especially when living in a flood zone.
HEATING AND COOLING
Heating and cooling system for a house require special set of considerations. One of the
most important is building orientation in relationship to the sun. “The sun is higher in the
southern sky than the east or west. Elongating a building on an east-west axis, with more
windows facing south and north, makes it easier to include solar control in designs” (Keeler,
2009, p. 106). Building an airtight envelope is a number one priority according to Alex
Wilson (Wilson, 2006, p. 60). “Air barriers represent an area of overlap between energy
efficiency, design for durability, and healthy interiors. Reducing air infiltration will aid in all
three areas” (Keeler, 2009, p. 107). Air barriers need to be continuous to be effective. They
reduce back drafting of combustible gasses, convective loss or gain of heat, gain or
unwanted moisture that causes mold, poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and structural damage
(Keeler, 2009). Marian Keeler discusses that a wall assembly containing an escape route
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for any moisture accumulated requires a drainage plane to guide moisture out (Keeler,
2009).
According to Godo Stoyke, most North American houses have inadequate insulation
and good insulation is necessary for thermal environment (Stoyke, 2007). Insulation
minimizes movement of heat and is specified by R-value. “R-Value is a measure of
insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-Value the better the
thermal performance of the insulation” (Energy Star, n.d.). Insulation comes in various forms
including: fiberglass batting, blown-in cellulose, spray foam and cotton. Proper insulation will
minimize heat loss, therefore lowering the utility bills.
Windows, an important component of a building envelope that decides about heating
and cooling needs, address several aspects of a home. The quality most people notice
immediately is the view of the outdoors. However windows can also provide fresh air, allow
the sun to penetrate, light the interior spaces, and control heat exchange between exterior
and interior environment. “Next to the amount of insulation in the house envelope and the
home’s airtightness, selection of windows and doors has the greatest impact on energy use
for heating and air conditioning” (Wilson, 2006, p. 70). Prior to providing a more descriptive
analysis of the elements in windows and doors important to heating and cooling it should be
noted that the entire assembly needs to consist of proper components, which work together
to create the desired environment. If one part of the assembly is not adequate the
performance of the entire element is compromised resulting in inadequate performance.
In windows low-emissivity (low-e) coatings allow the transmission of sunlight while
blocking “the escape of longer-wavelength heat radiation” (Wilson, 2006, p. 71). The
inclusions of low-conductivity gasses such as argon or krypton provide a good R-value. “By
combining low-conductivity gas fill in windows with two or more low-e coatings and
accounting for solar heat gain, it is now possible to buy windows that, in effect, insulate as
well as a fiberglass-insulated 2x6 wall” (Wilson, 2006, p. 71).
Doors have their own criteria to maintain a good R-value. The door recommendations
provided by the Energy Star program recommend that if a door has glass the use of double
or triple paned glass to reduce heat flow. They also recommend doors, which have
fiberglass, wood cladding, or steel with polyurethane foam core. Good weather stripping and
tighter fit between the door and doorframe also minimizes air leaks when door is closed
(Energy Star, n.d.).
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An important part of heating a house properly is an appropriate installation of
suitable equipment. There are many ways to heat and cool a home including: gas-filled
furnaces, radiators, radiant floor heating, air condition units, central air conditioning, etc.,
but no matter the method the system needs to be properly sized for the application and the
size of a home. “Residential heating and air-conditioning units are routinely oversized. An
oversized unit that cycles on and off will not operate [as] efficiently as a properly sized unit
that runs for a longer period of time to meet the demand for heating or cooling” (Keeler,
2009, p. 114). Passive forms of air-cooling include the use of shading for example,
overhangs, which reflect the sun off the surface. These overhangs should allow in visible
light while blocking the heat penetration from the sunlight.
The listed above features are advantageous for use in any home and many of them can
help to prepare for flooding disasters for example raising electrical equipment,. Features
described in this section improve a home occupants’ comfort while providing cost savings to
homeowners and as well conserve the planets’ resources.
REBUILDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FLOOD PRONE AREAS
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided flood-mitigating
techniques for buildings in a document called Protecting Your Property From Flooding
(Federal Emergency Management Agency, n.d.). In this document the agency is informing
people what can be done to prepare for a flood. “Flood protection can involve a variety of
changes to your house and property – changes that can vary in complexity and cost. You
may be able to make some types of changes yourself; however, complicated or large-scale
changes and those that affect the structure of your house or its electrical wiring and
plumbing should be carried out only by a professional contractor licensed to work in your
state, county, or city. One example of flood protection is adding a waterproof veneer to the
exterior walls of your house. This is something that only a licensed contractor should work
on when rebuilding” (Federal Emergency Management Agency, n.d.).
The major recommendations made by FEMA (n.d) include the following:
Adding waterproof veneer to exterior partitions
Raising electrical system components
Anchoring fuel tanks
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Raising or flood proofing heating ventilation and air conditioning equipment
Installing sewer backflow valves
Dry flood proofing the building
Building with flood-resistive materials
Protecting wells from flood contamination.
The original document issued by FEMA provides detailed description of these methods.
In the document Green Building and Climate Resilience: Understanding Impacts and
Preparing for Changing Conditions from the U.S. Green Building Council, the authors advise
of the importance of appropriate material selection when expecting climate changes and the
effect on the built environment. “The durability, design, and testing of building materials are
primary considerations when accounting for anticipated climate change” (Larsen et al.,
2011, p. 31). The authors warn that all coastal areas are vulnerable to rising sea level
caused by the climate change. They emphasize the concern of inundation from storm surges
of low-lying areas (Larsen et al., 2011).
In another document, Flood Damage-Resistant Materials Requirements, FEMA
provides a definition for base flood elevation (BFE). “The height of the base (1-percent
annual chance or 100-year) flood in relation to a specified datum, usually the National
Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929, or the North American Vertical Datum of 1988” (Federal
Emergency Management Agency, 2008, p. 19). According to this document the lowest floor
of a residence must be built above the BFE and, if this is not the case, any and all
construction below the BFE must consist of resistive materials and components (Federal
Emergency Management Agency, 2008). Material that is resistant to flood damage is able to
withstand “direct and prolonged contact with floodwaters without sustaining significant
damage” (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2008). Prolonged contact is defined as
lasting 72 hours or longer. In the book Design for Flooding: Architecture, Landscape, and
Urban Design for Resilience to Flooding and Climate Change, the authors provide examples
of flood resistant materials. Glazed brick, stone, concrete block, lumber which is naturally
decay resistant, metal doors, and polyester epoxy paint (Watson & Adams, 2011) are some
examples provided by the authors.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) developed class descriptions of materials
and created the figure on the following page.
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FIGURE 1 CLASS DESCRIPTION OF MATERIALS (FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, 2008, P. 4)
Another table provided on FEMA website lists types of materials, the area of use in the
building, and information on whether the material listed is acceptable or unacceptable for
use below BFE. Flooring is one type of material included in the FEMA list. The list places
carpeting as class 1, meaning it is unable to withstand floods. On the other hand a good
flooring material that can withstand flooding is porcelain tile with a class 4 rating. See
Appendix F, for the complete table as provided by FEMA.
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FEMA provides guidance on flood proofing structures. In order to flood proof a
structure three features should be present.
1. Structure must allow floodwater to enter and exit.
2. Resilient materials should be used.
3. Utility service and equipment must be elevated.
When an existing house is being flood proofed, non-resilient building materials should be
removed and replaced with resilient materials (Federal Emergency Management Agency,
2008).
FIGURE 2 PARTIAL WET FLOODPROOFING TECHNIQUE (FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY,
2008, P. 16)
The Figure 2 above provided by FEMA, illustrates an assembly preference for the interior
walls and floors. This shows how a partial wet floodproofing can be achieved for areas in
need. “Wet floodproofing is a method to reduce damage that typically involves three
elements: allowing floodwaters to enter and exit to minimize structural damage, using flood
25
damage-resistant materials, and elevating utility service and equipment” (Federal
Emergency Management Agency, 2008, p. 15). In this example the resilient materials
should be installed six inches above the maximum flood level. If the floodwaters do not
reach above the expected height the assembly will enable faster recovery and lowered rates
of repair (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2008).
In the article “Design for Adaptation: Living in a Climate-Changing World”, Alex Wilson
and Andrea Ward write about rising sea levels and stronger storms. “Adapting to climate
change will require making our buildings more resilient to storms and flooding” (Wilson &
Ward, 2009). Wilson and Ward recommend avoiding building in flood zones. Zoning
regulations are not keeping up with the expanding flood zones. The authors recommend
“Instead of designing to 100-year floods, consider designing to 500-year floods” (Wilson &
Ward, 2009). They move on to provide recommendations to help in case of flooding, some
of which are similar to FEMA’s.
“Raise buildings off the ground (…)
Elevate mechanical and electrical equipment (…)
Install check valves in sewer lines (…)
Expand stormwater management capacity and rely on natural systems (…)
Design buildings to survive extreme winds (…)
Specify materials that can survive flooding (…)
Install specialized components to protect buildings from flooding or allow flooding
with minimal damage (…)
Begin planning for rising sea levels in coastal area” (Wilson & Ward, 2009).
The effort to mitigate floods and the damage they cause will need to come from all angles. In
their book Donald Watson and Michele Adams, write that flood resistant design includes two
aspects: (1) prevention and (2) mitigation. Prevention according to the authors involves the
relocation of buildings and infrastructure, and the development of the natural environment
to act as a buffer protecting the land (Watson & Adams, 2011). Mitigation is done “by raising
buildings above anticipated peak flood levels, engineering building structures and envelopes
for severe wind and wave impacts, and using building materials that are waterproofed or
otherwise impermeable to water damage” (Watson & Adams, 2011, p. 135). Neither the
26
homeowners nor the government is singularly responsible, meaning everyone should take
responsibility for the changes being done when rebuilding flood damaged homes.
Resiliency of materials, assemblies, and systems is needed to assure that when
disasters strike, homes and buildings can withstand the destruction. This will allow families
and businesses to recover faster with less damage. This will also lower the burden on the
environment given that less new materials will be needed to rebuild and less waste will be
discarded. Everyone should be building for resiliency always, not only after a disaster occurs.
GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS & INCENTIVES
In New York, homeowners have help available from the federal and local government
to retrofit their existing homes. Some of the aid is available in a form of tax breaks, low
interest financing or rebates. The programs require diligence from the homeowners to follow
the steps as prescribed by the agencies. These processes ensure that the work is performed
and documented properly. The government websites provide information that aid in the
decision process and assure positive outcome. In the following sections a few of the
programs available through the Federal and New York State government agencies are
explored, and they provide a starting point for homeowners.
DATABASE OF STATE INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLES AND EFFICIENCY (DSIRE)
Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) was started in
1995 and is partially funded by U.S. Department of Energy. “DSIRE is the most
comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables
and energy efficiency in the United States” (Database of State Incentives for Renewables
and Efficiency , 2013). Incentives searches can be made on this website. Each state in the
U.S. may have its own incentives and this website facilitates a search for each state.
The incentives can be found by choosing the state of interest on the map on the home
page of DESIRE website (http://www.dsireusa.org/). Once the state is selected a list will
come up with all of the incentives that are available. The site compiles what is offered
through the federal and state governments, and through utility companies (Database of
State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, 2013). “The search tool allows users to
search for relevant incentives and policies by state, incentive type, technology type,
27
implementing sector and eligible sector” (Database of State Incentives for Renewables and
Efficiency, 2013). The website does include some incentives that have already expired,
therefore homeowners searching for rebates and incentives need to carefully check all
information.
ENERGY STAR FOR HOMES
In a previous section, a voluntary program of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency was described as the program that evaluates and certifies equipment and
appliances, the Energy Star program. In addition, Energy Star program evaluates buildings,
plants (power plants or other types of plants) and homes. Energy Star for Homes requires
third party verification. According to the website two paths can provide the verification “(1)
The National Performance Path, where software is used to model the home’s energy use to
verify that it meets a target score. (2) The National Prescriptive Path, where builders
construct the home using a prescribed set of construction specifications that meet program
requirements” (Energy Star, n.d.a). The Energy Star website makes available a list of
builders who have previously displayed their ability to meet the requirements.
The program provides advocacy and education focused on energy efficiency. The
Figure #3 below is one of the tools that Energy Star is using to illustrate the benefits of
homes with Energy Star.
FIGURE 3 BENEFITS OF HOME PERFORMANCE WITH ENERGY STAR (ENERGY STAR, N.D.B)
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Energy Star is “a comprehensive, whole house approach to improving energy efficiency and
comfort at home, while helping to protect the environment and fight global warming” (Energy
Star, n.d.c). “Home Performance with ENERGY STAR” informs how improvements throughout
a home can guarantee best results (Energy Star, n.d.c). The Figure #4 below provides the
typical recommendations to make homes more comfortable and efficient.
FIGURE 4 TYPICAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS (ENERGY STAR, N.D.C)
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Energy Star works with many partners where products are tested to meet Energy Star
certification in energy savings and performance. The guidance provided by the program
helps people to make their homes more comfortable and to reduce the energy cost (Energy
Star, n.d.c)
NEW YORK ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NYSERDA)
In 1975 the New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) was
in operation with its goal focused on reducing the New York State petroleum use (NYSERDA
Energy Innovation Solutions, 2013). “Today, NYSERDA’s aim is to help New York meet its
energy goals: reducing energy consumption, promoting the use of renewable energy
sources, and protecting the environment” (NYSERDA Energy Innovation Solutions, 2013).
Currently NYSERDA offers incentives to homeowners to lower their energy
consumption. “NYSERDA's residential programs help homeowners and renters reduce their
energy costs through incentives and low-interest loans” (NYSERDA Energy Innovation
Solutions, 2013). This process requires several steps. A participating contractor can access
information about a home performance. The contractor can provide a homeowner with the
information about where their home is losing energy and how this can be addressed. This
assessment needs to be submitted to NYSERDA and once the application is completed the
testing process may begin. Once the home assessment is concluded the contractor will
inform the homeowner of the findings and will make recommendations for improvement
(NYSERDA Energy Innovation Solutions, 2013). The expense of the home retrofit can be
eased with low-interest financing offered by NYSERDA. Homeowners can receive up to
$13,000 per house and in some cases up to $25,000 if the energy saving implementations
provide payback in 15 years or less (NYSERDA Energy Innovation Solutions, 2013).
According to NYSERDA once the contract is signed and the work is completed tests should
be performed to make sure the home modifications are working. Once the contractor
submits Certificate of Completion the final payment is due and the incentives and financing
is processed (NYSERDA Energy Innovation Solutions, 2013). This process can be further
explored on the NYSERDA website where videos and brochures are available with additional
information.
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FLOOD CAUSES AND MITIGATION: PRESEDENTS
“Every year, flooding causes more property damage in the United States than any other
type of natural disaster. While recent improvements in construction practices have made
new homes less prone to flood damage, there are a significant number of existing houses
that continue to be susceptible to repetitive losses. Many of these homeowners feel they are
trapped in a never ending cycle of flooding and repairing. The house is rarely the same, and
its value usually declines” (Pitt County North Carolina, 2011).
Storms such as Superstorm Sandy have been occurring in the US for some time, and
the American population has dealt with storms previously. A couple of areas recently
impacted by devastating floods include New Orleans and North Carolina. Similarly, as
described below, the city of Hoboken in New Jersey often floods when there is heavy rain.
These three places can offer some insight to how other cities deal with flooding. Information
in New Orleans, Louisiana section below includes description of the Make It Right
foundation, which is particularly useful in providing guidance that specifically addresses
interiors of homes.
HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY
Hoboken, New Jersey, once an island, is “in the tidal waters where the Hudson opens
up to what is now New York Harbor” (Goodyear, 2013). Hoboken was an island surrounded
by Hudson River on one side and marshes on the other. The wetlands were developed by the
20th Century (Rose, 2013). Hoboken’s two-square mile area is either close to or below sea
level. This causes flooding every time when there is a heavy rain. “When heavy rain
coincides with a high tide of the Hudson River, water cannot drain into the river, causing
some streets to flood” (City of Hoboken, 2009).
The Federal insurance Program typically calls for raising homes/buildings in flood
prone areas, but his approach is not always feasible. According to Dawn Zimmer, Mayor of
Hoboken, “About two-thirds of Hoboken lies in the flood zone on new federal maps, but
apart from the rare single-family homes, most buildings are apartment complexes or
attached houses that cannot easily be mounted on pilings” (Goodyear, 2013).
The Mayor of Hoboken provides the following recommendations for flood mitigation in
Hoboken:
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Flood walls and flood gates around city
Green roofs and porous pavements that will absorb and retain some rainwater
Relocating residents to higher floors while turning the lower floors of buildings
into parking garages (Goodyear, 2013).
It will be up to the City of Hoboken to evaluate these recommendations and to determine
what will be the best solutions for flood mitigation for the city.
PITT COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Pitt County in North Carolina suffers from “riverine flooding” (Pitt County North
Carolina, 2011). Riverine flooding is found along the different water creeks, swamps, rivers,
etc. In Pitt County, most of the riverine flooding is due to heavy rain (Pitt County North
Carolina, 2011). Nor-Easters also cause flooding in this county, resulting with property
damage. “Flood losses are also caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in the
floodplain causing increases in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy in flood
hazard areas vulnerable to floods or hazardous to other lands, which are inadequately
elevated, flood proofed, or otherwise unprotected from flood damages” (Pitt County North
Carolina, 2011).
According to Pitt County website, new construction standards assured that newly built
homes are more secure from flooding. Unfortunately there are a lot of older homes, which
were not built to these standards. Reoccurring flooding leaves homeowners in a flood-repair
cycle (Pitt County North Carolina, 2011). As explained by Pitt County website some
measures to reduce flooding damage include moving belongings to a higher floor, using
sandbags to hold water back, and retrofitting homes, which is neither easy nor inexpensive.
(Pitt County North Carolina, 2011)
As defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) some ways to
retrofit a house listed on the Pitt County website include:
“Elevation of a structure
Relocation of a structure
Use of levees and floodwalls
Sealing a structure
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Protection of utilities” (Pitt County North Carolina, 2011).
The Pitt County website does not make specific recommendations for building
reconstruction and materials but they refer to FEMA’s manual The Design Manual for
Retrofitting Floodprone Structures. This document may be obtained by requesting it directly
from FEMA. It is also mentioned that:
Fortunately, the State of North Carolina has implemented Buffer Rules to
protect the areas immediately adjacent to our water-bodies from undesirable
development that could be detrimental to their functions … In addition to the
natural beauty of our rivers and wetlands these, features dissipate wave
forces, reduce frequency and duration of surface flow, provide habitat for fish,
wildlife, and other vegetation, and filter various forms of runoff. (Pitt County
North Carolina, 2011)
Buffers in the landscape of cities can lower the impact of devastating results from floods.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
New Orleans, Louisiana, an area easily flooded, “lies between the Mississippi River on
the south, Lake Borgne on the east, and Lake Pontchartrain on the north, about 100 miles
(160 km) upstream from the mouth of the Mississippi River in the Gulf of Mexico”
(HowStuffWorks, 2008). According to HowStuffWorks.com the city’s highest point is 25 feet
above sea level but many parts of the city are below the level of the river. Due to this
topography the city is prone to flooding. A system of levees was built to protect the city
(HowStuffWorks, 2008). Although there is an extensive flood protection in the city it may not
keep the city safe from all floods.
“The hurricane and river levees are designed to protect from surge created by a so-
called 100-year hurricane, or a storm with a 1 percent chance of occurring. The ratings show
that 500-year events, with a 0.2 percent chance of occurring in any year, will overtop the
levees and cause significant flooding” (Schleifstein, 2011). The Army Corps of Engineers is
working on keeping the city safe from flooding by planning for the future. “The area’s
hurricane levees already have been designed with sea-level rise in mind, with planned lifts
33
of earthen levees over the next 50 years, and up to 3 feet of height already added to
concrete features” (Schleifstein, 2011).
In New Orleans the Make It Right Foundation was founded by actor Brad Pitt in 2007,
with the goal of helping the communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina which devastated
parts of the city in 2005. The foundation has built over 80 new homes in the 9th Ward area
of New Orleans (Make It Right, 2012).
Below is a list of topics, which the foundation is addressing in details and sharing with
website visitors through their “Library and Laboratory”:
“Advanced framing
Carpet and wood floors
Countertops and cabinets
Electrical systems
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
Lifecycle analysis
Native landscaping
Paint
Pervious concrete
Plumbing
Quality control
Roofing
Siding
Solar panels
Structural insulated panels
Tankless water heaters” (Make It Right, 2012).
The foundation describes their mission and activities: “Make It Right builds healthy homes
and buildings for communities in need. Our homes meet the highest standards in green
building; they are LEED Platinum certified and inspired by Cradle to Cradle thinking. We want
to change the building industry to make energy-efficient, healthy homes affordable for
everyone” (Make It Right, 2012).
34
The foundation’s work with goals to make residential buildings sustainable and
affordable began in New Orleans after Katrina, but is now spreading out to other areas of
the country such as Newark, New Jersey and Kansas City, Missouri (Make It Right, 2012).
When rebuilding a home the Make It Right Foundation website is a good source of
information to begin search for sustainable building ideas.
35
CHAPTER 3: CASE STUDY – MIDLAND BEACH
A case study performed as part of this thesis focused on understanding residents’
choices when rebuilding their private homes in Midland Beach after Superstorm Sandy. The
Midland Beach neighborhood located in Staten Island, New York is introduced through the
history of Staten Island in the following section. Included in this chapter is an explanation of
the conditions before and after the devastating flood caused by Superstorm Sandy .
MIDLAND BEACH, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK
HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT IN STATEN ISLAND
Midland Beach is located in Staten Island, New York, the island between New Jersey
and Brooklyn and just south of Manhattan. “Roughly triangular, the island has about 35
miles (56 km) of waterfront and an area of almost 60 square miles (155 square km)”
(Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013). Exploration of Staten Island and the history of the North
Eastern States provide an overview for residential evolution in these areas. The
development of the homes had a strong connection with culture, local regulations and laws,
and technological advances that undoubtedly guided the type of developments and the rate
of the growth experienced in Staten Island.
The following map illustrates the location of Staten Island in the context of other New
York City boroughs and surrounding cities.
36
FIGURE 5 STATEN ISLAND IN THE CONTEXT OF OTHER NEW YORK CITY BOROUGHS AND
SURROUNDING AREAS (THE CITY OF NEW YORK, 2013).
Staten Island, as all of the North America, was initially inhabited by Native American
tribes. Giovanni da Verrazano passed through the Narrows in 1524 (Staten Island Advance,
2010). Henry Hudson gave the island its name in 1609, calling it ‘Staaten Eyelandt’.
Governor Peter Stuyvesant allowed a permanent settlement in 1661. The first settlers were
mainly Dutch and in lesser numbers French. Oliver Rink writes the maritime past of the New
Netherland was “both a unique chapter in America’s colonial history and a small but
significant episode in the history of the Dutch maritime empire” (Rink, 1986, p. 19).
Homes on Staten Island were built of available materials. In Holland, the Dutch
mainly used brick to build their farmhouses and were well known for being the brick
builders. “European settlers arriving in the American Northeast in the 16th, 17th, and 18th
centuries had two priorities: to construct suitable shelters for themselves and their families,
and to provide a reliable supply of food. From the start, therefore, every house that was built
had to become, almost immediately, a self-sufficient farmhouse” (Irvine & Krukowski, 1987,
37
p. 10). Dutch homes in the North East started as short-term structures. “Dugout huts that
served as temporary shelters for the first inhabitants were followed by rudimentary one-story
structures” (Blackburn, Piwonka, & Albany Institute of History and Art, 1988, p. 91). In the
book The Dutch American Farmhouse, Steven Cohen (1992) quotes Domine Jonas
Michaelius who described the houses as “hovels and holes in which they huddled rather
than dwelt” (p. 41). According to Blackburn et al. the next step was the 1-2 room single-story
houses. Along with this, the openings – such as windows and doors, were much smaller than
we see now. This was mainly to prevent drafts during the harsh cold winters. Also, colonists
with money built their homes to simulate the middle class homes in the Netherlands.
The farmhouses in the North East were made out of wood and other materials that
varied depending on the availability. “In 1646 … Father Joques noted … ‘All their houses are
merely of boards and thatch, with no masonry except the chimneys’ ” (Cohen, 1992, p. 45).
When building homes the settlers used materials such as wood from discarded ships. It
wasn’t until the end of the 17th century that brick making became a “thriving industry both
in New York and New Jersey” (Cohen, 1992, p. 45). It is likely that the early Dutch did not
establish a brick making industry due to limited resources and lack of infrastructure.
Even though the first dwellings started out as a need for shelter they were eventually
expanded with the addition of new rooms and later second stories. In the late 18th and in
the 19th centuries, people started to include additions and second stories to the houses. As
the cities grew, farmhouses began to transform into houses and leisure summer-houses.
One example of a farmhouse, which became a summer house and stands today as a
National Historic Landmark is the Alice Austen House. The farmhouse was built in 1690 in
Staten Island right along the shore of the New York Harbor, with originally one room off the
entryway. Wood from retired ships was used in the construction of the house. This historical
treasure is a prime example of the types of homes built on Staten Island. The house
illustrates an evolution of the additions to the original home built by the Dutch. Today this
home is a house museum.
The loss of the colony to England in 1664 resulted in English influenced architecture
aesthetics in the North East for over a century (Blackburn, Piwonka, & Albany Institute of
History and Art, 1988). In the book The Dutch American Farm David Cohen wrote that in
New York and New Jersey, in the eighteenth century prosperous Dutch families lived in
English style homes (Cohen, 1992).
38
A recent exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York highlighted the history of
Staten Island from 1661 to 2012. The exhibition titled ‘From Farm to City: Staten Island,
1661-2012’ was divided into several segments including farms, suburbs, pleasure and city.
In the exhibition Midland Beach and South Beach were a part of the pleasure segment. The
area had a variety of attractions and entertainment for visitors. Marketing attracted New
York City dwellers who wanted to escape city life on weekends to the beaches of Staten
Island. “In the 19th century, uses like farming and fishing began to share the land with
enjoyment enterprises designed to use the natural landscape for relaxation and enjoyment.
From the vast estates, to tennis clubs and fox hunting, to boardwalk amusements and beer
gardens, public and private developments offered leisure activities for the Island’s genteel,
middling, and growing working classes and for city dwellers seeking escape from the
stresses of the crowded industrial metropolis” (Museum of the City of New York, 2012, p.
na). The boardwalk offered amusement rides, games, and free shows, food and, obviously,
the beach. According to John Louis Sublett the first steam Ferry began running in 1817
(Sublett, n.d.). The Staten Island Ferry made possible for people to commute onto Staten
Island for leisure on weekends.
Very little was mentioned in the exhibition about the housing developments on the
island. According to an excerpt from the museum exhibition some areas of Staten Island had
restrictions on the housing developments. For example, in 1920 restrictions were set in
place that established required aesthetics for Dongan Hills (a neighborhood near Midland
Beach). The constraints mandated that builders were not allowed to build homes with flat
roofs, two family homes, or apartment buildings. These were viewed as ‘unsightly’ and the
neighborhood was to maintain a certain ‘pleasing appearance’ (Museum of the City of New
York, 2012).
Residential development on Staten Island grew rapidly once the Staten Island
Expressway and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge were open in 1964. In 1978 over 2,500 units
were built consisting of single-family homes and multi-family condominiums. In the 1990’s
Staten Island was growing in population adding 65,000 residents and 24,000 units
throughout the decade. The rate of growth created a concern about overdevelopment. High
growth rate resulted in re-zoning in order to reduce the density as well as create regulations
for larger yards, more parking, as well as better site design for developments (Museum of
the City of New York, 2012).
39
EXISTING CONDITIONS IN MIDLAND BEACH
Midland Beach is less than “a square mile in area…[it] rises uphill from the water,
and the many dead-end streets seem to help discourage fast traffic” (Palmbeck, 2011).
“Midland Beach, a very popular Staten Island neighborhood, lies along the east-central
coast of Staten Island, in the area known locally as the East-Shore” (Staten Island
Waterfront 2012, 2012a). “The established communities were located mostly near the
coast due to the ease of building there as opposed to further inland, which was very uneven
and filled with hills created by glacial outwash sediments 2 million years ago as well as other
terrain that made settlement building difficult. This posed little problem due to the calm
beaches, which provided the settlers with transportation, fishing and other services” (Staten
Island Waterfront 2012, 2012b).
FIGURE 6 MAP OF STATEN ISLAND (OFFICE OF THE BOROUGH PRESIDENT, N.D.).
40
The map of Staten Island in Figure #6 provides a closer view of Staten Island and the
neighborhoods found within. In this map the proximity Midland Beach community holds to
the water is clear. The map below illustrates the neighborhood in further detail.
FIGURE 7 MAP OF MIDLAND BEACH (THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY, 2011).
The Midland Beach neighborhood evolved around the beach. “Located at Midland
Beach today is of course still the public beach, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt 2.5 mile long
boardwalk, the Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier, multiple baseball fields, playgrounds, soccer
fields, a skate park, some local restaurants, and many housing developments for families”
(Staten Island Waterfront 2012, 2012a). With the beach at walking distance from many
residences the community and visitors took advantage of the long boardwalk and many
activities available. The beach brought availability for many outdoor activities for adults and
41
children. Many people ran and rode bicycles as well as walked their dogs along the
boardwalk. The shops along Midland Avenue allowed shopping nearby for many residents
without the need to travel to Hyland Boulevard for larger stores and supermarkets. A popular
pizzeria, which sold also homemade ices, was located on this avenue. The homes in this
neighborhood were mostly semi-attached or single story bungalows. Newer homes were
being built as older ones were demolished. In the article Low Prices, Slow Traffic, Copious
Sand, the author Joseph Palmbeck, calls Midland Beach “a small and quiet neighborhood
on the eastern shore of Staten Island” (Palmbeck, 2011). Most of the housing in Midland
Beach used to consist of small single story bungalows. The area “was made all the more
desirable starting in the mid-1990s, when a multimillion-dollar restoration got under way for
the beach and its boardwalk” (Palmbeck, 2011). “Scott Setaro, the vice president for
operations of Appleseed Homes, said it was at this point that developers tore down many of
the area’s characteristic bungalows. In many cases, they were replaced with much larger
semidetached homes” (Palmbeck, 2011, p. na). “Two types of housing stock predominate:
small one-story bungalows, often with just one bedroom and built decades ago, and two-
story brick semidetached homes or town houses built much more recently, many in the last
10 years” (Palmbeck, 2011). These two types of homes are found next to one another. As
bungalows are sold to developers, new larger homes are built in their place. The location of
Midland Beach provides easy access into Manhattan with many express bus routes along
the neighborhood. More on the development of the area will be discussed in the Current
Residential Development section.
FIGURE 8 PHOTOGRAPH OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PRIOR TO
THE STORM, TAKEN BY AUTHOR IN 2012
See Appendix A for more photographs of homes in the
area.
Midland Beach area along with many other areas
in New York and New Jersey has been hit directly by the
October 29, 2012 Superstorm Sandy. The quiet
residential beach community has changed overnight. The many beautiful aspects of the
42
community, and the resident’s cherished boardwalk and beach have been completely
devastated by the natural disaster. The people in the community experienced extensive
damage or in some cases complete loss of their homes. Today, Midland Beach is in the
process of rebuilding and recovering from the sustained damage. The pace of rebuilding will
vary depending on many factors including: degree of the damage to property, homeowner
capital for rebuilding, and available help from field experts including contractors, structural
and mechanical engineers specializing in rebuilding of residential homes. There has been
aid provided to the residents from government agencies such as FEMA (not monetary), and
organizations like Salvation Army, NYPD, The Army Corps of Engineers, National Guard,
along with hundreds of volunteers working with churches and other non-profit organizations.
The community has become much closer as neighbors are stepping up to help one another.
FIGURE 9 MIDLAND BEACH FLOOD LEVEL, PHOTOGRAPH BY AUTHOR IN 2012 See Appendix B for more photographs from the devastated area.
SUPERSTORM SANDY EVENT AND AFTERMATH
Mayor Michael Bloomberg was quoted by CNN referring to the October 29, 2012 storm
Sandy as "a storm of unprecedented proportions," (Duke, 2012). It was a devastating storm
43
no one was prepared for: “New York Harbor's surf … reached a record level when a buoy
measured a 32.5-foot wave Monday. That wave was 6.5 feet taller than a 25-foot wave
churned up by Hurricane Irene in 2011” (Duke, 2012). Evacuation alerts were heard
everywhere and “Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg had mandated that the 375,000-some
residents of Zone A areas evacuate” (Knight, 2012). An interactive NY map from The
Weather Channel, provided opportunity to learn each zone status. The image below illustrate
the location of Midland Beach in the Zone A category.
FIGURE 10 ZONE A MIDLAND BEACH (THE WEATHER CHANNEL, 2012).
The storm made landfall in the evening on October 29, 2012, and, according to
National Hurricane Center, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut experienced the “highest
storm surges and greatest inundation” (Blake, Kimberlain, Berg, Cangialosi, & Beven II,
2013, p. 8). The report published by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) states that in the
44
areas along the coast “the surge was accompanied by powerful damaging waves” (Blake,
Kimberlain, Berg, Cangialosi, & Beven II, 2013, p. 8). In Staten Island the National Ocean
Service's (NOS) measured the storm surge at “9.56 ft above normal tide levels” (Blake,
Kimberlain, Berg, Cangialosi, & Beven II, 2013, p. 8).
“Surveyed high-water marks from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) indicate
that the highest water levels in New York occurred on Staten Island” (Blake, Kimberlain,
Berg, Cangialosi, & Beven II, 2013, p. 9). Rainfall was also a contributor as it played a role
along with the storm surge (Blake, Kimberlain, Berg, Cangialosi, & Beven II, 2013). The
tropical-force winds reached out to 580 miles from the center, placing Superstorm Sandy as
the second biggest Atlantic storm to be recorded (Duke, 2012). The direct death toll from
the storm is 147 lives, with 72 lost in the United States. New York had a loss of 48 people.
National Hurricane Center estimates the effect of Supper Storm Sandy as the following:
650,000 houses were damaged / destroyed in US
305,000 homes were damaged / destroyed in NY
8.5 million customers had no power
the storm was responsible for $50 billion in damage (Blake, Kimberlain, Berg,
Cangialosi, & Beven II, 2013).
Some other local effects of the storm included:
destroyed or badly damaged homes as a result of Superstorm sandy resulted in
numerous people becoming homeless and needing to rely on shelters provided
by the city, many of the destroyed homes were knocked down since
severe salt water damage to the mass transit railways resulted in short and
long term train shutdown and required extensive repairs
as a result of many street closings and high traffic in and out of New York, trucks
supplying gasoline were unable to make deliveries causing gasoline shortages,
creating long lines with people waiting hours to fill their cars and portable
canisters.
In Staten Island “The devastation was widespread … especially along its southern
shore where residences, businesses, cars and other property were heavily damaged. Whole
blocks of houses were swept away by the surge in the communities of Midland, New Dorp,
and Oakland Beach. Significant damage also occurred to the borough’s electrical grid, rail,
45
and ferry operations. The damage was so severe that media reports referred to it as Ground
Zero for damage in New York City, and at least 21 people died in Staten Island from the
storm surge”(Blake, Kimberlain, Berg, Cangialosi, & Beven II, 2013, p. 18). Douglas Main
provided a before and after photo of some of the damage experienced in Staten Island.
FIGURE 11 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., BEFORE & AFTER SANDY (MAIN, 2012)
William Frits (a geologist from the College of Staten Island) along with his colleagues
produced a model illustrating how the geography of New York can enlarge a storm surge
(Main, 2012). “The geography of the New York City area makes it very vulnerable to storm
46
surges” (Main, 2012). According to William Fritz hurricanes will re-occur, and people should
not think otherwise. His belief is that urban planning must account for the flooding. He also
states that majority of people do not realize NYC is a belt for hurricanes. “The coasts of Long
Island and New Jersey meet at a 120-degree angle, perfect for concentrating the surge and
sending it directly toward Staten Island, Fritz said. From here, the water flows into New York
Harbor, but it has nowhere to go except inland, thanks to water moving south from the Long
Island Sound through the East River. The Sound, angled to the northeast, accentuates the
storm surge as winds from the northeast (typical of hurricane and extra-tropical cyclones)
pile up water and send it toward New York City” (Main, 2012).
The Staten Island Midland Beach neighborhood was and still is devastated. The
community is nowhere near its pre-Sandy state. For additional information about the
Midland Avenue Neighborhood Relief efforts see Appendix C.
CURRENT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
Majority of the current development involves rebuilding existing properties in the
Midland Beach area after the October 29, 2012 storm. Homeowners who live in the area are
either rebuilding or have demolished their homes because they were no longer livable. The
properties, which have been demolished, stand as empty lots. This may change as
developers buy the lots for future construction of new homes.
Some homes were in progress of being built when the storm took place. One of those
homes was found listed on a real-estate website. This is a semi-attached single family home
located at 524 Midland Avenue. In the listing provided on www.realestatesiny.com, none of
the features advertised have any characteristics that may be sustainable and/or flood
resilient. Although some photos of the interiors are provided, there is no mention of the
types of materials used. The lack of information does not allow a consumer to make an
educated decision. It may be that the full specifications of the home are provided to a
prospective buyer when they are viewing the home. This in no way signifies that there may or
may not be any sustainable features included in this property, but it is inferred that if such
features would be implemented, they would be advertised as increased value.
Until recently most of the new construction homes in Midland Beach were replacing
smaller bungalow homes. The construction of these homes had begun prior to the October
47
29, 2012 storm and it is likely that the storm damage has delayed their completion. From
the observation of the exterior it is not possible to determine if any sustainable features will
be used in these homes. The construction sites display Department of Buildings work
permits, but no signage indicates that these homes are reaching for any improved
environmental features. It is assumed that if a builder or developer were building a home
with goal of achieving Energy Star for Homes or LEED Certification for Homes, this would
most likely be advertised on the site to attract prospective buyers. Although the lack of
signage is not an assurance that the builder is not building with some rating system in mind,
this is not likely.
CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
The following research consisted of three main parts:
Materials and features advertised in homes for sale listings - online research
Homeowners survey
Interviews with residents rebuilding in Midland Beach performed by e-mail.
MATERIALS AND FEATURES ADVERTIZED IN HOMES FOR SALE LISTINGS
In order to understand what materials and features are being used in Midland Beach an
evaluation of current listing of homes for sale took place. This evaluation was performed
solely via online searches utilizing several real-estate websites. A total of four real-state
websites were used in retrieving the data for a total of twenty randomly selected residences
(www.realestatesiny.com, www.realestate.silive.com, www.trulia.com, www.zillow.com).
In the house materials section the following items were reviewed: floors, walls, ceilings
and countertops. The items reviewed in the house features section included: appliances,
electrical box/panel, heating & cooling systems, and doors & windows. The goal of this
research was to determine what are the typical materials and features used in Midland
Beach residences. The major items provided on the websites included house square
footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, any new features (ex: new windows), any
special materials, and any special amenities like for example: pools or hot tubs. The
websites provided this information in written and photographical formats.
48
According to the information provided on the websites, the typical materials used in
Midland Beach residences were: wood or tile on the floors, paint on ceilings and walls, and
plastic laminate on counter tops. The typical appliances that houses were equipped with
were: dishwasher, refrigerator, washer and dryer and in some cases microwave. Forced air
heating and central cooling were most common HVAC systems. Majority of existing home
listings did not advertise home features that were new, the few that did included new
windows and new siding. None of the homes mentioned the location of the electrical box or
panel.
This analysis provided some understanding of the typical real-estate listings for the
homes in Midland Beach. More so, this analysis allows us to infer that neither sustainability
nor resiliency is considered as desirable or sought after. The details of findings are
presented in charts comparing exactly what was provided on the real-estate website listings
in Appendix E.
HOMEOWNERS SURVEYS’ RESULTS
The following graphs and summaries are based on a total of fifteen survey responses,
which were received in Midland Beach, Staten Island. The surveys took place during several
weekends in December 2012. Survey form is provided in Appendix G.
49
Question 1:
FIGURE 12 QUESTION 1 SURVEY RESULTS
All fifteen respondents had some damage to their property, some more than others.
Question 2:
After inspection performed by the
Department of Buildings
approximately 2/3 of the
homeowners received a tag
restricting the use of their home. The
remaining 1/3 of the responders’
homes were classified as “unsafe
area”.
FIGURE 13 QUESTION 2 SURVEY RESULTS
50
Question 3:
Majority of the homeowners said that they
would be rebuilding in Midland Beach.
Only 20% of respondents said that they
would not be rebuilding.
FIGURE 14 QUESTION 3 SURVEY RESULTS
Question 4:
To respond to this question survey participants chose one or more options. In some
instances they chose to make no selection at all.
FIGURE 15 QUESTION 4 SURVEY RESULTS
51
Answers to the question #4 resulted also in the following comments under the ‘OTHER’
category:
“Replacing water heater”
“Building a wall in front of house to prevent water from getting in”
“Mold proofing”.
Question 5:
Question 5 asked homeowners to list concerns or information, listed below are their
comments:
“They need to build flood gates as a precaution for the future.”
“Damage to foundation.”
“Most helpful were church volunteers.”
“Concern for storm and floods occurring on a yearly basis, if so how are people
supposed to rebuild if insurance companies are unresponsive to people’s needs?”
INTERVIEWS’ RESULTS
Of the fifteen homeowners who responded to the surveys, three agreed to an
interview. The interview questions were emailed to the three homeowners. The online
interview consisted of several questions and can be found in Appendix H. In order for the
homeowners to remain anonymous they will be referred to as homeowner 1, 2 & 3. The
following is a summary of the three homeowners’ responses.
It took homeowner 1 two months to rebuild, homeowner 2 - three months, and homeowner
3 stated they will be done in April 2013 (6 – 7 months after the storm). All homeowners
used a general contractor; homeowner 3 indicated they had difficulty finding a contractor
who would not “do a sloppy job”. Homeowners 1 and 3 did not use any resilient materials.
Homeowner 2 used closed cell insulation in the damaged walls because this insulation was
recommended. The homeowner did not indicate who made the recommendation. The same
homeowner did note that all other materials, which got replaced, were exactly the same as
Please list any other concerns, options or information
52
original, and included cement board , compound, paint, corner bits, spot lights and GFI
outlets.
The same homeowner noted that their existing ceramic tiles remained because they
were durable and survived the flood. Homeowner 1 replaced their damaged carpeted floor
finish with ceramic tiles commenting: “that way it will be easier to clean when it gets wet”.
This homeowner has considered the new ceramic tiles as sustainable because, they wrote,
they are using sustainable materials in their re-construction. According to the received
interview only one material (ceramic tiles) was changed, all other matched the original.
Homeowner 3 stated (s)he used materials recommended by the contractor because they
considered them to be experts who have an educated recommendation.
The results indicate that the homeowners thought that they made good decisions with
regard to reconstruction. Homeowners 3 concern for funds received from insurance
company and the possibility of future floods resulted in not using the “best or most
expensive” materials for the re-construction. Homeowner 1 indicated that their choices are
good but if a flood were to re-occur the home would need renovation again. Homeowner 2
did not respond to this question.
Question #6 (see Appendix H) in the email interview asked if the homeowner made any
other rebuilding choices concerning home, and provided a list of possible features. The
following explains the responses from the homeowners who participated in the email
interview.
Homeowner 1:
Q: Raising electrical components and electrical box? A: “The rewiring was done higher now.
The boxes and panels are high as is. They are approximately 7 ft high or so.”
Q: Raising or flood proofing your heating and cooling system or units? A: “I don’t see how that
would be possible. The heater is in the room designated for it, in the basement. The
cooling unit is outside but on street level.”
Homeowner 2:
Q: Raising or flood proofing your heating and cooling system or units? A: “No, but I have
tankless boiler and it was high on the wall so it did not get damaged. You cannot do
much with outside condensers.”
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Q: Concrete / porcelain / brick / terrazzo / vinyl / rubber / stone / glass / metal tile. A: “in the
future yes. Right now it was cheaper to redo 6ft of stucco as opposed to building a new
brick façade. All other materials, except for sheetrock are water resistant.”
Homeowner 3:
Q: Building with flood damage resistive materials? A: “No. These items never came up during
the re-construction of our home, but regardless, they are very expensive. We paid the
entire reconstruction out of pocket and can’t afford to pay more.”
None of the homeowners mentioned any information available from FEMA with regards
to rebuilding their homes.
CASE STUDY FINDINGS
Based on the survey results it can be said that majority of the homes have sustained
significant destruction. Despite the extensive damage most of the homeowners are going to
rebuild their homes. In fact, only 20% said they are not going to rebuild. Some homes were
condemned as an unsafe area.
As per fifteen survey responses, the inclusion of sustainability in terms of long lasting
and durable materials into the rebuilding was limited. When rebuilding their homes some
homeowners used water resistant insulation, some moved the electrical panels to a higher
level, and others have used water and moisture resistant gypsum wallboard on lower levels
of their homes in rebuilding process. Some homeowners are concerned with floods re-
occurring, and have responded that they will be rebuilding their home at a higher level. Not
every homeowner can raise their home in this area because there are many attached homes
and raising an attached home is more complicated. Under the ‘other’ section one response
indicated the homeowner will be “building a wall in front of house to prevent water from
getting in”.
The conclusion drawn from on line interviews is that homeowners have limited
information about rebuilding their homes. Also, the limited funds were a dominating
concern. The responses indicate that homeowners did listen to the advice when provided,
and used some resilient materials in re-construction of their homes. Not all materials used
were resilient. One reason clearly stated by one homeowner was that those materials are
54
considered to be more expensive and they could not afford them. Other possible reasons
include lack of knowledge and the fact that the alternative materials may not have been
recommended by the contractors. As mentioned above one example included a homeowner
changing carpet to tile and another homeowner using closed cell insulation. The sample of
interviewed homeowners indicates that they do not see connection between resiliency and
sustainability. Although homeowners recognize some need for resilient materials they are
not knowledgeable about resilient construction methods and materials.
An interview with a Long Beach, N.Y. resident proved that similar concerns are shared
by the Long Beach and Midland Beach residents (see Appendix D).
SYNTHESIS OF CASE STUDY
The task of choosing materials and features for home is essential and becomes even
more important when sustainability and flood resistance are being pursued. Aesthetical
recommendations, although often deciding, are not addressed in this document.
Midland Beach neighborhood area of Staten Island is classified as ZONE A, therefore
any decisions related to rebuilding in this area should be guided by this classification. There
is variety of materials available today and focusing on resilient and sustainable
characteristics can result in durable, long lasting, healthy for occupants, and aesthetically
pleasing choices. The use of resilient materials is one of the sustainable strategies because
using resilient materials means not having to replace them every time flooding occurs. This
will lower environmental impact by limiting demolition and re-construction waste, and
reducing need for new materials. The use of resilient materials is also considered
sustainable decision because it is beneficial for future occupants’ health, and it will save
homeowner’s operating costs over time. In addition, re-building with resilient and
sustainable materials will reduce stress experienced in effect of property loss and rebuilding
process.
As mentioned before, the rebuilding decisions are difficult and should be made based
on reliable information. When rebuilding in the flood areas homeowners should at a
minimum follow recommendations provided by FEMA.
55
CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSIONS
This thesis undertook an exploration of the best practices in material selections and
home features that could inform rebuilding single family homes in Midland Beach, Staten
Island in the aftermath of unprecedented flooding experienced from Superstorm Sandy.
From the small sample of homeowners in Midland Beach, Staten Island it was
established that in the aftermath of a major natural disaster homeowners have slightly
changed their material and home features selections while re-constructing their homes.
Those selections were made following recommendations provided by other people or
professionals, or homeowners made selections based on their own personal ideas. Some
homeowners made better choices in their re-construction because they received
recommendations of specific beneficial attributes of materials.
It is the conclusion of this study that although some homeowners chose resilient
materials or implemented flood mitigating features in their homes, they may not have been
aware that those decisions are also sustainable in terms of being good for future occupants’
health, limiting environmental impact, and saving on operating costs. Another conclusion of
this study is that if homeowners were better informed about resilient design, the
homeowners’ decisions could have better prepared their homes for future floods. Also,
rebuilding sustainably i.e.: using materials that are durable, long lasting, with low toxicity,
and resilient, was not a priority for homeowners surveyed. Homeowners were not aware that
applying floods resiliency methods and resilient materials when rebuilding their homes are
examples of sustainable strategies.
Homeowners were uninformed of the re-building methods recommended for the
flood prone areas by FEMA. As described in this research, use of resilient and sustainable
materials along with recommended re-building methods could make homes stronger and
more likely able to withstand future flooding with minimal damage, and through this be more
environmentally responsible. FEMA provides detailed information, which describes and
illustrates how single-family homes should be built when located in flood zones. The
information provided includes data about the resiliency of materials and how the National
Flood Insurance Program classifies them. Rebuilding based on FEMA recommendations
could limit future damage, and result in future lower insurance claims and payments, as well
as limit future work during demolition and re-building processes.
56
None of the homeowners who participated in the survey stated that they received any
aid from FEMA, therefore it is inferred that FEMA is not active enough in the distribution of
this information. Had the surveyed and interviewed homeowners known about the benefits
of using flood mitigating rebuilding techniques and materials, their re-building decisions
would likely have been different.
To achieve advanced insight into the construction methods for flood prone areas like
Midland Beach, Staten Island further study is recommended. The study should include
detailed analysis of the New York Department of Buildings (DOB) re-construction and new-
construction requirements, which are currently being revised. The study should investigate
the following:
How do the current building regulations for single family residences vary in
different flood zones?
What are the requirements for architectural and engineering submissions to
DOB for home construction approval in various flood zones?
How will the DOB maintain integrity of the homes already built?
What are the changes that DOB will be implementing for re-construction and
new-construction of homes in light of Superstorm Sandy and when will these
regulations go into effect?
How will New York’s new DOB regulations compare to FEMA
recommendations?
In response to climate change, currently there is a significant amount of research performed
in fields related to this thesis topic, especially related to resiliency of buildings and natural
disasters. This research delivered insight into sustainability, resiliency and provided some
understanding of homeowners’ re-building in the aftermath of unprecedented flooding. The
future study should further evaluate this construction and re-construction process in
Midland Beach, Staten Island.
Inadvertently, this study led to the speculation that there is a need for the New York
DOB and FEMA to have more outreach to homeowners with information about resiliency and
sustainability.
57
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APPENDIX A:
PHOTOGRAPHS OF MIDLAND BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD TAKEN BY THE AUTHOR IN
SEPTEMBER 2012.
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APPENDIX B:
PHOTOGRAPHS OF MIDLAND BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD TAKEN BY THE AUTHOR ON
NOVEMBER 2, 2012.
65
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APPENDIX C:
COMMUNITY EFFORTS AND OUTREACH IN THE AFTERMATH OF SUPERSTORM SANDY IN
THE MIDLAND BEACH, STATEN ISLAND.
A donation station located on the corner of Kiswick Street and Midland Avenue has
been created where individuals and organizations can drop off any supplies, clothing, food,
etc. “The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and trays of donated Chicken Parmigiana
overpowered the smell of rot at the corner of Midland Avenue and Kiswick Street in front of
the now-shuttered LaRocca’s Italian Ices and Pizzeria. Two neighbors on this block, Oleg
Ryabyuk and Aiman Youseff, banded together to coordinate local relief efforts after both
men were displaced from their homes and jobs. Their combined effort, labeled Midland Ave.
Neighborhood Relief on handmade signs and on their Facebook page, came together out of
sheer necessity” (Bonamo, 2012).
Similarly, residents had opportunity to pick up supplies they need at Egbert Junior High
School also located along Midland Avenue. The school was being used as a clothing
donation/pick up station. The JHS has been closed as a station for aid, but the donation
station on Kiswick Street remains open with the constant help from volunteers of which
many are residents who have suffered from the storm.
Midland Ave. Neighborhood Relief station. Photograph by Mark J. Bonamo/NJ.com.
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APPENDIX D:
VISIT TO LONG BEACH, NEW YORK, MARCH 23, 2013.
Photograph by the author
The research for this thesis included a visit to Long Beach, New York, another
community devastated in the Superstorm Sandy, where a local resident Bryan Murphy
created Sandy Help LB, an aid organization for the town residents (more information about
the effects of the storm on that community can be found on
www.facebook.com/SandyHelpLb). The interview with Bryan Murphy was informal and the
goal was to gain general understanding how the storm had affected people in the Long
Beach area. Bryan Murphy began this relief effort because there was a need to help people.
He knew that many people needed supplies and others wanted to help. He was the
connection between people who needed help, the people who could provide supplies, and
volunteers who could organize and distribute them. Once people started working on the
demolition of homes he was receiving donations of gypsum wall boards and insulation. With
the help of knowledgeable volunteers many homeowners were able to rebuild their homes
with the supplies donated to SandyHelpLb.
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Bryan Murphy said that the damage is worse than he expected. For many residents
things halted after the demolition because they were waiting to hear what they were going to
receive from insurance companies (Murphy, 2013). People were also unsure whether they
need to rebuild higher, and if so, what that entailed (Murphy, 2013). There is a lot of
uncertainty, but SandyHelpLB and other volunteers are helping however they can.
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APPENDIX E:
RESULTS OF THE ONLINE SEARCHES PERFORMED ON TWENTY RANDOM HOMES FOR
SALE IN MIDLAND BEACH.
Homes
House Features Typically Utilized in Midland Beach
Appliances Electrical Box Heating & Cooling Doors and Windows
1 Dishwasher, Dryer, Washer, Refrigerator N/A
Base board heating, Cooling: "units"
Windows and siding are new.
2 Dryer, Washer N/A Wall AC units N/A
3 Dishwasher, Washer, Ref., Microwave N/A
Heat: Forced air, Cooling: Central N/A
4 Dishwasher, Refrigerator N/A
Heat: Hot water, Cooling: Central N/A
5 Dishwasher, Microwave N/A
Heat: Forced air, Cooling: Central N/A
6 N/A N/A
Heat: Hot water, Cooling: Central N/A
7 Dishwasher, Dryer, Washer, Refrigerator N/A
Heat: Hot water, Cooling: Central N/A
8 Dishwasher, Microwave N/A
Heat: Forced air, Cooling: Central N/A
9 N/A N/A
Heat: Forced air, Cooling: Units, New boiler N/A
10 Dishwasher, Refrigerator N/A
Heat: Forced air, Cooling: Central N/A
11 N/A N/A
Heat: Forced air, Cooling: Central N/A
12 N/A N/A
Heat: Forced air, Cooling: Central N/A
13 N/A N/A
Heat: Steam, Cooling: None N/A
14 Dishwasher, Microwave, Refrigerator N/A N/A N/A
70
Homes
House Features Typically Utilized in Midland Beach Continued
Appliances Electrical Box Heating & Cooling Doors and Windows
15 Dishwasher, Microwave, Refrigerator N/A N/A N/A
16 Dishwasher, Dryer, Washer, Refrigerator N/A N/A Trex deck
17 Dishwasher, Dryer, Washer, Refrigerator N/A
Heating: N/A, Cooling: Central N/A
18 Dishwasher, Dryer, Washer, Refrigerator N/A N/A
Anderson windows and sliders, new siding, roof
19 Dishwasher, Washer, Ref., Microwave N/A
New Air Conditioning New Roof
20 Refrigerator N/A
Heat: N/A, Cooling: Central N/A
Homes Materials Typically Utilized in Midland Beach
Flooring Walls Ceiling Countertops
1 Wood/Tile Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
2 Hardwood/Tile Wood paneling Paint Plastic Laminate
3 Wood/Tile Paint Paint Granite 4 Wood/Tile Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
5 Wood/Tile Paint Paint Granite 6 Wood/Tile Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
7 Carpet Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
8 Wood/Tile Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
9 N/A N/A N/A N/A 10 N/A Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
11 Carpet Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
12 N/A Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
13 Tile Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
14 Wood/Tile Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
15 Wood/Tile Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
16 Wood/Tile/Carpet Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
17 Wood/Tile Paint Paint Granite 18 Wood/Tile Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
19 Wood/Tile/Carpet Paint Paint Plastic Laminate
20 Wood/Tile Paint Paint N/A
71
APPENDIX F:
TYPES, USES AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF MATERIALS - TABLE BY FEMA (FEMA, 2008, PP. 7-
11).
72
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74
75
APPENDIX G:
SURVEY QUESTIONS FOR MIDLAND BEACH RESIDENTS.
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APPENDIX H:
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR MIDLAND BEACH RESIDENTS PARTICIPATING OVER EMAIL.
