After being assessed by an outside engineering consulting firm, the Roux Center for the Environment has officially received LEED platinum certification. It earned the highest possible score of eighty-five points.
The 21,167-square-foot Roux Center was designed by architect firm CambridgeSeven to minimize its environmental impact. Below are a few of the details that make it more sustainable.
- A 2,820-square-foot rooftop garden absorbs storm-water runoff and adds insulation.
- A roof-mounted photovoltaic solar system and efficient HVAC system reduce energy costs by 48%.
- A 1,500-gallon storage tank collects filtered rainwater to flush toilets, reducing potable water use by 55%.
- The entryway's large glass wall exceeds Cornell Lab of Ornithology's design standards for bird safety.
- 81% of construction waste was recycled.
- 87% of the wood used on the building came from responsibly managed forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
- Interior finishes are low in volatile organic compounds to improve indoor air quality.
- The project was made from recycled and regional materials when possible.
- Fuel-efficient cars are able to park in preferred spaces.
LEED, which stands for leadership in energy and environmental design, is a national certification ranking developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to evaluate and encourage the construction of energy-efficient buildings.
Thornton Tomasetti, the firm that evaluated the Center for its environmental performance, says it is one of seven LEED platinum projects for new construction in Maine.
