Page 245 - Alternative Energy Systems in Building Design

LEED 221

SUSTAINABLE SITES

Many of the points listed under “Sustainable Sites” were not applicable to the project,
such as urban redevelopment or brownfield. The site selected was excess property from
dam construction. The project is located on recreation ground covering 1200 acres and in
the near future will become a recreation park that will include a golf course, a recreational
lake, a swim and sports complex, and a series of bike trails, horse trails, and camp-
grounds. The museum complex is the gateway to the recreational grounds and is
intended to become the civic center of the area.
The Water and Life Museum building is designed to accommodate bicycle storage
for 5 percent of building occupants and offers shower and locker facilities. This
encourages alternative transportation to the site, which is intended to reduce negative
environmental impacts from automobile use.
Owing to the expected volume of pedestrian and bicycle visitors, vehicle parking
space was reduced to provide adequate space for bicycle stands that meet local zoning
requirements. The architecture of the grounds blends magnificent building shapes and
open spaces with interpretive gardens throughout the campus. The small footprints of
the buildings occupying the open space qualify the project for LEED points because
it resulted in reduced site disturbance.
Braided streams weaving throughout the site provide a thematic story of water in
southern California. The streams also are designed to mitigate stormwater management
for the site. The braided streams contain pervious surfaces conveying rainwater to the
water table.
The parking grove consists of shade trees and dual-colored asphalt. The remainder
of the paving is light-colored acid-washed concrete and light-color lithocrete. The
roofs of the buildings are covered with single-ply white membrane, which are shaded
by the solar panels. These light-shaded surfaces reduce heat-islanding effect.
The Water and Life Museum is located within the radius of the Palomar Observatory,
which has mandatory light-pollution restrictions; as a result, all lamppost fixtures are
equipped with full-cutoff fixtures and shut-off timing circuits.

WATER EFFICIENCY
The mission of the Center for Water Education is to transform its visitors into stew-
ards of water. To this end, the campus is a showcase of water efficiency. The campus
landscaping consists of native California plants. The irrigation systems deployed are
state-of-the-art drip systems that use reclaimed water. Interpretive exhibits throughout
the museum demonstrate irrigation technology from Native American to the satellite-
controlled. Each building is equipped with waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets.

ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE
Energy savings begins with the design of an efficient envelope and then employs
sophisticated mechanical systems. The Water and Life Museum is located in a climate
that has a design load of 105°F in summer. The structures provide shading of the