Green Building Features

Green Building Photo Gallery

The new facility is applying for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certification, silver is the second level of LEED-certification awarded to building projects around the U.S.
Our building’s environmental aspects include:

Photovoltaic Panels: Located on the roof, the panels consist of 12 strings, each string contain 16 modules, totaling 192 panels. The total system rating is estimated at 37,257 kilowatt-hour a year of energy at a value of $2,831 per year. The system will also have a real-time display showing electricity generated, hourly, daily, and monthly read-outs, a weather station, and will provide up to 5% of the building’s electrical needs. There are also photovoltaic panels in a few of the parking lots lights.

Rainwater Harvest System: The rainwater harvesting system uses rooftop rainwater to replace drinkable water that would have been required to flush toilets, urinals, and the recycling processing are pressure washer. The system collects and routes water to seven collection tanks that, in all, hold approximately 15,000 gallons of water. It is estimated the system will supply 73,000 gallons of water annually, which is roughly 60% of the buildings water needs. If there is not enough rain to meet the building’s needs, the system automatically adds domestic water to the tanks. This system helps us achieve two water efficiency credits towards our LEED-certification: one for Innovative Wastewater Technologies and the other Water Use Reduction.

Water-efficient Fixtures: The water efficient toilets and urinals use and conserve the harvested rainwater, saving 30% over standard fixtures.

Rain Gardens: Our four rain gardens were strategically placed on the outside edges of the pavement. The rain flows into the garden instead of filtering into nearby rivers and storm drains. The native plants have roots that reach deep into the soil and can handle droughts and floods. Rain gardens reduce river and stream pollution and needs to irrigation system.

Porous Asphalt: Standard asphalt drains water into streams, rivers, or storm sewers. As a way to help manage storm runoff, the northeast parking lot was paved with porous asphalt. Unlike standard asphalt, porous asphalt it open to water. The water drains through the porous asphalt into a stone bed then slowly infiltrates into the soil, which is a natural process that cleanses water, filtering out particulates before it returns to the earth.

Ceiling Fans: To provide a comfortable space that promotes productivity and the well-being of building occupants, five strategically placed, enormous fans were installed throughout the building. They are tied into the Building Management System, allowing them to be set on a schedule so they are only on when necessary. The large fans move air at a low speed, and low speed means less energy used. The huge fans range from 8-12 feet in diameter, and in the summer, they will produce a breeze that causes the air to feel 8-16 degrees cooler. During the winter months, the fans gently drive hot air trapped in the ceilings down to the floor, resulting in reduced heating expenses.

Energy Recovery Ventilators System: Conditioned air exhausted from the restrooms powers the ERV system to help cool incoming fresh outdoor air. This reduces the cost to otherwise cool or heat the fresh air. This practice also helps eliminate ozone-depleting refrigerants in the air conditioning systems.

Recycled Glass in the Concrete: One way to keep glass out of the landfill is to mix it into concrete. The heated sidewalk, driveway approaches, and curbs, which amounts to 15% of the exterior concrete, includes recycled, ground, green, barely-seen glass particles.

Snowmelt System: Glycol-filled heat tubes under the concrete will help keep the outside handicap walkways drier and safer during the winter by decreasing ice accumulation.

Certified Wood: Certified wood accounts for at least 50% of wood material used in the project. The wood products were produced under the Forest Stewardship Council principles, which come from well-managed forests and sustainable practices.

Paints, Adhesives, Carpeting and Interior Furnishings: All paints, adhesives, carpeting and interior furnishings in the center meet LEED standards by having low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

EnviroGLAS Countertops: The Conference Room table and Education Center counter is constructed with 100% recycled glass. The “S” is recycled porcelain and recycled aluminum. These durable surfaces are free of VOCs and did not require the removal of granite from the earth through mining practices.

Other Energy Savings: Many of the above systems will also help achieve more than 50% energy cost savings over the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers baseline. Additional features that will achieve energy savings include: Motion sensors in high-traffic areas to control lighting, broad use of natural day lighting due to large number of windows in facility, and low-flow fixtures to decrease water and energy use in restrooms.