BNIM: omega center for sustainable living

the omega center for sustainable living by BNIM
all images courtesy BNIM


the omega center for sustainable living commissioned american firm BNIM to design a new
education facility integrated for them. the project overhauls the current wastewater disposal
system for the entire 195-acre rhinebeck campus by using biological methods of treatment via
an eco machine. as part of a larger effort to educate visitors, staff and local community on
innovative wastewater strategies, the project showcases the system in a building that houses
both the primary treatment cells and a classroom/laboratory. in addition to using the treated
water for garden irrigation and in a greywater recovery system, omega will use the system
and building as a teaching tool in their educational program designed around the ecological
impact of their campus.

the facility contains a classroom, laboratory, water garden, and a constructed wetland which
supplies all of its own energy needs using photovoltaic power, and is carbon neutral. the self
sustaining, high-thermal mass building uses passive solar heating supplemented by geothermal
heating as needed, and employs natural ventilation cooling strategies.



the constructed wetlands in the building



the photovolatic cells



the garden area



the facility in the evening