Project Goals
The goals listed are not in prescriptive order. It is unlikely that all are attainable or apporpriate for every single element of the Keya Wakpala Waicageyapi Master Development Plan. Many more goals will be developed through the course of time and we hope some listed here may serve as the spark for what could become the "norm" over time. During the conceptual and schematic design phases, for each component of the Developement Plan, the project teams should discuss these goals - subtracting from and adding to this list as appropriate. This initial list of goals are best used as a flexible guide as each and every new Keya Wakpala project is designed and built.
Site Goals
Energy Goals
Water Goals
Indoor Environmental and Air Quality Goals
Overall Performance Goals
Commercial Goals
Social Goals
Aesthetic Goals
Cultural Goals
The goals listed are not in prescriptive order. It is unlikely that all are attainable or apporpriate for every single element of the Keya Wakpala Waicageyapi Master Development Plan. Many more goals will be developed through the course of time and we hope some listed here may serve as the spark for what could become the "norm" over time. During the conceptual and schematic design phases, for each component of the Developement Plan, the project teams should discuss these goals - subtracting from and adding to this list as appropriate. This initial list of goals are best used as a flexible guide as each and every new Keya Wakpala project is designed and built.
Site Goals
- Consider the City of Mission's existing services and programs when planning.
- Reduce energy use and cultivate comfortable micro-climates.
- Construct public transit and pedestrian, horse and bike trails to link areas internally as well as connect to the surrounding areas.
- Maintain at least 50% of the site for agricultural production and natural habitat. Ensure that on-site agricultural production naturally conserves soil and enhances soil fertility, conserve water and utilize locally adapted seed stock when feasible.
- Minimize the amount of removed vegetation and disturb as little soil as possible. If soil has to be left bare, use appropriate erosion control methods.
- Remove invasive species and make landscaping choices to ensure species and topographical diversity, prioritizing the use of native and hardy plants.
- Build on stable, level soil, minimizing construction on slopes above 5-6%.
- Soils, aggregates and plants used in construction and landscaping will be obtained locally or within 100 miles of the site whenever feasible.
- Incorporate a restorative, non-irrigated landscape plan that is sustainable over time and enhances biodiversity and ecological integrity.
- Incorporate stormwater management best practices to reduce water pollution and loads on local infrastructure. Decrease average site runoff coefficient after development, with vegetated filtration bufferes adjacent to all runoff surfaces.
- Establish a 150 foot "green buffer" between residential and commercial/industrial areas.
- The use of on-site water sources will be maximized, including rainwater, graywater, wastewater and stormwater.
- The Turtle Creek wetland area will be preserved, enhanced and expanded as cultural resource, wildlife habitat, walking trails with educational signage and sanctuary spaces.
- Develop a regular evaluation schedule to consider necessary adaptation in regards to site design, overseen by a diverse and transparent committee.
- Balance access to indoor and outdoor areas with public safety, security and safety.
- Eliminate light pollution and light trespass from building and site lighting to preserve the beauty of the night skies as much as possible.
Energy Goals
- Respond to the local micro-climate and natural site features to enhance energy efficiency and comfort in the buildings by designing buildings that take advantage of free natural heating, cooling and ventilation first and mechanical systems as a backup.
- Design all buildings to use 60-70% less energy than a comparable ASRAE 90.1 base building.
- Create the legal and regulatory framework under the veil of tribal sovereignty to support local energy production and internal local distribution.
- Introduce visual learning opportunities in the design of building to educate building occupants of the value created by building a smarter building.
- Effectively match HVAC technology with space types and activities in those spaces.
- Use daylight as the primary light source in all major spaces throughout the day. Target 0.5w/sf lighting load with variables for specific tasks needing more light.
- Begin early measuring and sub-metering of all buildings to track performance data over time as a means to inform future long-term design and development patterns. Strive to achieve efficient housing that utilize 100% renewable energy, reducing emissions to 4 to 6 MTCO2E (metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) per household per year. (The typical American generates about 10 to 12 MTCO2E emissions/year, with 4 to 6 tons of that tied to transport.)
- Target megawatts of clean/renewable energy to be generated at around 1.7 to 2.1 KWH per household if radical energy-efficiency and potential increased electrification measures are feasible.
- Look at kilowatt/hours of energy saved in terms of pure efficiency and passive design strategies; a combined calculation can be derived to include renewables and other measures. This means shifting people out of inefficient buildings and behaviors into efficient and responsible ones. This is not just creating a greenfield development, but empowerment through education and increasing awareness.
- Utilize local materials whenever feasible, such as timber, stone, gravel products, earth, straw bales and vegetation from tribal lands and businesses.
- Prioritize the use of nontoxic materials.
- Choose materials with recycled content.
- Design elements for their ability to be reused in the future.
- Utilize sustainability certified products.
- Design for energy efficient fixtures and equipment.
- Utilize permeable paving materials wherever feasible.
- Promote a life-cycle analysis ("cradle to grave") process when considering what materials to select.
- Explore use of alternative and/or natural building materials in construction, landscaping and site features.
- Select durable materials that can withstand the high winter winds and moisture of the local climate.
- Prioritize the use of high quality, natural and energy efficient materials rather than basing decisions on lowest initial cost.
- Select windows to meet energy efficiency and thermal envelope goals.
Water Goals
- Reduce potable water use by 50% over "conventional" building practices by introducing such technologies as composting toilets, low-flush fixtures and other methods.
- Utilize harvested rainwater for crops, landscaping and garden irrigation wherever feasible.
- Ensure plumbing is freeze-resistant and accessible to fix leaks quickly.
- Release wastewater into the watershed only after it meets or exceeds EPA standards for water quality.
- Provide education on water conservation and protection.
- Maintain use of Mni Wiconi rural water supply to preserve critical water rights.
- Utilize landscaping materials that are drought tolerant and irrigation free.
- Follow minimum irrigation regulations in all greenhouse and garden areas and incorporate moisture sensors when and wherever possible.
Indoor Environmental and Air Quality Goals
- Provide access to daylight and views for all building inhabitants or employees.
- Continuously monitor and measure air quality in spaces when feasible.
- Create specific "noise free" areas when appropriate.
- Limit access to controls of comforts conditions in larger buildings.
- Design for healthy indoor spaces by using mold resistant and non-off-gassing materials and finishes.
- Include design for natural ventilation with operable windows even in larger buildings. Balance and periodically monitor HVAC systems to maintain energy efficiency targets.
- Incorporate and require continuous use of high grade filters in mechanical systems.
- Meet or excced the EPA's recommendations for indoor air quality.
Overall Performance Goals
- Cultivate healing of the people and land.
- Design and construct a holistic community to serve as model of cultural expression, indigenous design, efficiency and ecological/economic sustainability.
- Incorporate Lakota traditional principles and values in the layout of buildings and floor plans.
- Integrate learning opportunities and workforce development elements into the design and building projects.
- Engage and grow awareness within the community as well as visitors about the Lakota culture, language, lifeways as well as the principles of Resilient Design.
Commercial Goals
- Locate work where it is easy to walk home, visit children ,go shopping, etc.
- Create a master plan that maximizes the human potential of the people living thee to thrive and produce place-based solutions that reinforce a values-driven indigenous community.
- Strive to create distinctly beautiful buildings that create a unique identity for Keya Wakpala and enhance its brand as a model of success worth investing in.
- Create a balance betwen an internal local economy and external global markets.
- Build up vendor and customer loyalty to the Turtle Creek/Keya Wakpala brand through the integrity of the Development Plan and building designs.
Social Goals
- Be a safe place for families to work, play and live together.
- Promote the idea of "having fun" as a value from the beginning of design to the start of occupancy.
- Strengthen connections to the outlying community functions in neighboring towns and communities in regards to gatherings, business, education, etc.
- Respect and engage in a deeply meaningful way the history, culture, art, language and philosophy of Wolakota.
- Cultivate intergenerational connections through shared living and recreational areas.
- Support the health of the people by making healthy local foods and outdoor and indoor physical activities accessible.
- Nurture the values of the Lakota people through social events, communications and education.
Aesthetic Goals
- Maintain a connection to the land and natural systems surrounding by carefully choosing materials used in landscaping and building designs.
- Celebrate the artistic expression of the Sicangu Lakota by seeking out collaborative projects with local artists, spiritual leaders, historians, etc.
- Choose building systems that exude a sense of resilience, strength, safety and durability.
- Maintain easy public access to natural and beautiful areas in work, school and home environments to promote mental and spiritual restoration and relaxation.
- Base community aesthetics on the stories, language and art of the Sicangu Lakota people.
- Ensure that the built environment will accurately represent who the people are today and where they have come from.
Cultural Goals
- Be founded and grow from Lakota values and culture.
- Lakota language will be encouraged, through signage, immersion schools and access to elders, teachers and media.
- Make important cultural principles and history obvious through street art, signage and kiosks.
- Children growing up in the Keya Wakpala community will naturally learn their language, history and culture by living within this community.