About Friends Center- Green Design
- Geothermal Exchange
- Vegetated Roof
- Photovoltaics
- Open Design
- Stormwater Capture and Reuse
Green Design
View a Slide Presentation about green design at Friends Center
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The renovation plans for Friends Center use several strategies that will significantly reduce its environmental impact. For more information on some of these eco-friendly choices, just follow the links.
The first and most important choice for making Friends Center a sustainable campus was the decision to renovate the existing building, rather than building a new one. During the renovation process, we will also recycle construction waste to keep it out of landfills. Whenever possible, we will use recycled or rapidly renewing materials. Choices for paints and varnishes will include considerations for their levels of toxicity.
We will work toward making the campus fossil-fuel free by using several integrated strategies: geothermal heating and cooling, energy production through a solar array, purchased wind power, and energy efficiency measures like added insulation, an open design with new windows, and a pledge to use equipment and practices that reduce our consumption.
Friends Center also plans to help protect our watersheds by keeping stormwater onsite with several landscaping features, including a vegetated “green” roof.
According to figures from the U.S. Green Building Council, our buildings use 40% of our energy and create 40% of our waste.
Work on innovative renovation plans to Friends Center has already begun. For updates on the construction process, visit our Building Project Update.
