MNN - Mother Nature Network

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Committee on the Environment (COTE) released their top ten green projects of 2009.  Last week, I introduced you to the first five on the list, and today I’m giving you a glimpse of the final five projects.

 

The Portola Valley Town Center houses a library, a Community Hall, the Town Hall, recreational areas, and more.  The old buildings that resided on the site were disassembled and approximately 90% of the materials were put to use in the new facilities.  The facilities green features are so numerous that Councilmember Ted Driscoll compiled a seven page PDF document describing them all:  A List of the Green Things the Town of Portola Valley has done in building our new Town Center (PDF).

 

Despite an interruption by Hurricane Rita, the Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center was completed according to LEED Platinum standards.  The facility, located in Orange, Texas, earned LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC) Platinum certification in 2008.  The center scored 57 out of 69 total possible points; projects earning 52+ points are eligible for LEED-NC Platinum certification.  View the project’s LEED Checklist (PDF) on the U.S. Green Building Council website.

 

“Dockside Green Residential Phase I, also referred to as “Synergy”, consists of four detached residential and is the highest-scoring LEED ® Platinum Certified building on record. The development employs an integrated energy system that ensures the development will be greenhouse gas neutral, while also providing the opportunity for the project to become a net-energy provider.” Source: BusinessWire

 

The project scored 63 out of 70 total available points on the LEED Canada NC 1.0 checklist.  Synergy received 14/14 points in the Sustainable Sites category, 17/17 in Energy & Atmosphere, 5/5 in Water Efficiency, 15/15 for Indoor Environmental Quality and 5/5 for Innovation & Design.

 

The LEED Gold certified Terry Thomas building in Seattle Washington is a four-story office building that is home to Weber Thompson’s headquarters.  The facility received its certification in the Core and Shell category and a LEED for Commercial Interiors Platinum certification is pending.

 

The 54,000 square foot world headquarters of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a LEED Gold-certified facility.  “We are honored to receive AIA’s top ten green award,” said IFAW President Fred O’Regan. “Our international headquarters is a platform for our campaigns around the world. The green design reflects our commitment to protect animals, their habitats and the environment.” Source: IFAW

 

The design firms for each of the AIA Top 10 Green Buildings will be recognized at the AIA National Convention and Design Exposition at the Moscone Center in San Francisco (April 30 – May 2).