When the new Spirit of Africa Exhibit opens in June at the International Crane Foundation (ICF), Baraboo, visitors will be able to view sustainable energy practices while enjoying the amazing African crane species. The new displays will feature porous pavement made of recycled glass, photovoltaic collector systems to generate enough electricity to power the entire exhibit with energy to spare, and a solar water heating system to provide winter heating for the crane holding building. Look for prairie grasses in the landscaping to reduce the need for watering and fertilization, reports Marty Sell, AIA, president of MSA-Integrated Project Delivery (MSA-IPD), Project Leader.

“All of the walking paths and observation areas in the new Africa displays are being paved with the recycled glass product,” he said. The recycled glass goes through a special process to round out the edges and transform it into a glass aggregate that is harder than stone aggregate, but not brittle. It is porous so rainwater soaks into the ground minimizing runoff and/or erosion. Therefore, no stormwater infrastructure, such as pipes or a detention pond, is required.

Rainwater is being collected at the crane holding building – the largest of the buildings on the site – and is being stored for two purposes: for watering the new plantings in the exhibit and for supplying water to the new wetland areas. 

The 5-acre Spirit of Africa Exhibit includes nearly 1700 linear feet of pathways through the site. They average 12 feet wide, but some areas are as narrow as 6 feet wide. The recycled glass pavement (FilterPave™) will be completed this spring.  MSA-IPD is in charge of the project with MSA Professional Services providing planning, design, and construction management support. The site includes creation of four new wetland areas for four species of African cranes. Construction of five different buildings, including a crane holding building, an amphitheater, and three shade structures, is underway. Two existing buildings are being renovated as a part of the project. 

Another major sustainable feature at the site is the use of solar power for generating electricity.  There are 50 photovoltaic panels on top of the crane holding building covering 875 square feet. They produce an average of 1200 kilowatt (kW) hours per month. A typical family of four uses 800 kilowatt hours/month. The entire Spirit of Africa Exhibit will only require 300 to 500 kW hours per month so ICF will be generating and selling excess electricity back to the utility company. The motivation at ICF is to save energy while reducing the carbon footprint of the facility.

The crane holding building also has a high mass solar hot water system to generate heat. These solar panels, located on the berm adjacent to the building, transfer heat from ethylene glycol (a liquid) to a hot water closed loop coil that heats the mass of sand under the concrete floor. Once the sand mass is heated, heat radiates into the floor slab which maintains adequate heat in the building even during periods of limited sunlight.  There is a LP boiler for back-up, if needed.  In the winter, the African cranes require temperatures maintained at a minimum of 50 degrees.

Other sustainable features include Solatubes® to bring natural light into the building to minimize the need for artificial light and high efficiency insulation, windows, and doors to minimize heat loss. 

The new Spirit of Africa Exhibit will display the Blue, Wattled, Grey Crowned, and Black Crowned Cranes. The exhibit will emphasize the cranes’ stories – their cultural and ecological significance, conservation efforts that successfully benefit cranes, and opportunities for their protection.  This project was made possible by a gift of nearly $3 million from the Dohmen Family Foundation of Milwaukee and the generosity of ICF members and donors. 

To celebrate the opening of the new exhibit, the public is invited to an admission-free day at ICF on Saturday, June 20, 2009.  Tours of the new exhibit are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 pm. There will be a variety of African-themed activities for all ages to enjoy and lunch will be available for purchase.  The dedication ceremony for the new exhibit will begin at 2:00. Afterwards, enjoy refreshments with George Archibald, ICF Co-founder, President Jim Hook, ICF Board members, African colleagues, and ICF staff.