Leadership in Energy and Environmetal Design (LEED)

The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Platinum LEED Certification, the highest level of achievement, to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve.  The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based standard to support and certify successful green building design, construction and operations.  LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.


Sustainable Site Development

Between July 2004 and May 2007, thirty buildings, roads, utilities and other structures were removed from the Preserve and the sites were reclaimed to blend with natural surroundings.  By relocating and reusing the buildings locally, the Preserve saved 155.2 tons in demolition waste.  The extensive reclamation also enhances wildlife habitat, reduces non-native vegetation, reconnects fragmented wetlands and improves the visitor experience throughout the property.

To develop the site sustainably, the buildings, parking and trails have been located on areas that were previously developed.  In the parking lot, gravel pave and bioswale reduces flow and filters contaminants from storm water.  The Preserve also eliminates waste by asking visitors to follow the principles of Leave No Trace and with the garbage they bring in, "pack it in and pack it out."



Water Savings

By planting native species to eliminate permanent irrigation and using composting toilets and low-flow lavatories, the Preserve reduces water use by 96% for annual savings of over 76,000 gallons of potable water.

Energy Effeciency

Exterior wall and roof insulation, window glass insulation, lighting, geothermal heating, natural ventilation, photovoltaic panels and renewable energy reduce the Preserve's energy cost by 78% compared to a typical building.  This is equal to taking approximately five passenger cars off the road for a year.

One special component of energy savings is lighting.  Designers tested the level of illumination needed and worked together to design a system that used automated lighting controls to adjust individual lights based on occupancy and daylight.  Another component is geothermal heating.  The building uses a series of 250' wells to transfer the natural temperature of the ground into the building with a heat pump.

Materials Selection

The Preserve uses a variety of salvaged or recycled materials, sustainably harvested lumber, and regionally manufactured materials.

The concrete block in the building walls is composed of 85% recycled post-consumer polystyrene waste; the ceiling and wall paneling is composed of salvaged hemlock; and the cotton batt insulation contains approximately 85% recycled denim and cotton fibers.

The Preserve has 69% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood products, including the prominent structural wood columns in the front of the building.  FSC certified wood has been harvested from forests that are managed in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable way.

To conserve energy, reduce associated emissions and support the regional economy, over 24% of construction materials at the Preserve were manufactured within 500 miles of the site.  Regional materials include steel, structural timber, cotton batt insulation, and structural insulated on the roof.

Indoor Environmental Quality

The Preserve center uses adhesives, sealants, coatings, and carpet that emit low amounts of volatile organic compounds, as well as composite wood made without urea-formaldehyde resins and insulation containing no airborne particulates or formaldehyde.

We hope that your visit to the Preserve will provide inspiration and ideas that you can use in your own communities and homes.

Remember...

Think green at home!