Page 232 - Solar Power in Building Design The Engineer's Complete Design Resource

202 LEED—LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Sustainable Sites Many of the points listed in sustainable sites were not applica-
ble to the project, such as urban redevelopment or brown field. The site selected was
excess property from the dam construction. The project is located on recreation ground
covering 1200 acres and which in the near future will become a recreational park that
will include a golf course, a recreational lake, a swim and sports complex, and a series
of bike trails, horse trails, and campgrounds. The museum complex is the gateway to
the recreational grounds and is intended to become the civic center of the area.
The building is designed to accommodate bicycle storage for 5 percent of building
occupants as well as shower and locker facilities. The project is designed to encour-
age alternative transportation to the site to reduce negative environmental impacts
from automobile use. Because of the expected volume of pedestrian and bicycle visi-
tors, vehicle parking spaces were reduced to provide adequate space for bicycle
stands, which meets local zoning requirements.
The architecture of the grounds blends magnificent building shapes and open spaces
and interpretive gardens throughout the campus. The small footprint of the building
occupying the open space of the land is a significant attribute that qualifies the project
for LEED points since it resulted in reduced site disturbance.
Braided streams weaving throughout the site provide a thematic story of water in
southern California. The streams are also designed to mitigate storm water manage-
ment for the site. The braided streams contain pervious surfaces conveying rainwater
to the water table.
The parking grove of the project consists of shading trees and dual-colored asphalt.
The remainder of the paving is light-colored, acid-washed concrete and Lithocrete of
a light color. The roofs of the buildings are covered with a single-ply white membrane,
which is shaded by solar panels. These light, shaded surfaces reduce the heat island-
ing effect.
The Museum of Water and Life is located within the radius of the Palomar
Observatory, which has mandatory light pollution restrictions. As a result all lamp-
posts are equipped with full cutoff fixtures and shutoff timing circuits.

Water Efficiency The mission of The Center for Water Education is to transform
its visitors into stewards of water. To this end, the campus is a showcase of water effi-
ciency. The campus landscaping consists of California native plants. The irrigation
systems deployed are state-of-the-art drip systems that use reclaimed water.
Interpretive exhibits throughout the museum demonstrate irrigation technology rang-
ing from that once used by Native Americans to the satellite-controlled technology.
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 the summertime.
The project’s structures provide shading of the building envelope. High-performance
glass and a variety of insulation types create the most efficient building envelope pos-
sible. The building exterior skin is constructed from three layers of perforated metal
strips. The rooftop of all buildings within the campus is covered with high-efficiency