The Environmental Education Center is the City of Plano’s first green building. It is government funded and was created to educate and involve residents in green building and sustainability. Some of the sustainable features that I observed in this building include:
- Dakin VRV III A/C system (energy efficient - designed for high outdoor temperature use)
- Rainwater harvesting – 10,000 gal? tank
- Solar hot water collector
- Windmill
- Insulating glass
- Photovoltaic solar system on carport roof
- Natural day lighting of meeting area.
- Note: SE building orientation will allow unacceptable heat gain into meeting room through large glass area. Suggest adding external louvers that would allow light to filter in while cutting down on heat gain.
- Energy conserving exterior light fixtures (assumed)
- Use of structural steel (can be recycled)
- Wood at structure and under overhangs can be recycled.
- Stained concrete floor in meeting room. (concrete can be broken up and recycled)
- Use of swale to prevent water erosion.
- Gravel drive prevents water runoff.
- Assume the following was used:
- Low VOC paint
- Recycled carpet
- Counters that can be recycled
- Fly ash concrete
- tiles
Here is a link to the Environmental Education Center:
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