Good in green

The Mars Center for Science and Technology has been designed to achieve a prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The sustainable design and construction features include:

• A 1,300-square-foot “green” roof
• Drought-tolerant plants to conserve water
• Solar shading on glass and brim for energy efficiency year-round
• Glass walls for natural light
• Night sky–compliant lighting that shines downward to reduce light pollution
• Motion-sensor lighting indoors for energy conservation
• Use of replenishable wood throughout the building
• Vinyl tile floors made of recycled material
• Carbon dioxide sensors to monitor air quality
• Energy recovery wheels in the air-handling units to reduce heating and cooling loads
• Highly reflective and vegetated roof surfaces to minimize the cooling loads during the warm months
• Bioretention basins to control quantity and quality of stormwater runoff
• No new parking as part of the project; designation of some existing parking spots for carpoolers
• Use of low volatile organic compound-containing materials, including adhesives, sealants, paints and carpets
• Use of building materials with a high percentage of postconsumer and postindustrial recycled content
• Use of sustainable cleaning products and methods in the maintenance of the building
• A water faucet that keeps count of the plastic bottles avoided

Graphic by David Laferriere, photos by Nicki Pardo