Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences

The partnership determined that its new facility would be responsive to energy and environmental considerations to reduce operating costs, and to provide a visible expression of its commitment and leadership in sustainable development and design. The Tahoe Center is based on "best practices" of energy and environmental (sustainable) design, and achieved its sustainable design goal of Platinum under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

Sustainable Design Features

• AEC worked with the college and the design team to identify and integrate viable sustainable design strategies into the building as well as organize and submit documentation for LEED Certification.
• Alternative refueling stations for three percent of building occupants.
• Restored more than 50 percent of the site area, excluding the building footprint, to open space.
• Storm water run-off from parking lots is treated with an oil/water separator prior to entering the existing storm drain system. Pretreated run-off is then directed into a retention ditch and pond where it will be stored and filtered.
• Energy saving measures incorporated into the building are projected to result in a 60 percent energy savings compared to a minimally-compliant ASHRAE 90.1-1999 building.
• Private offices in the building use lighting occupant sensor controls, which turn off lighting when the room is unoccupied.
• Daylighting controls have a setpoint of 50 footcandle illumination and are installed for 25-45 percent of the lighting fixtures. Other daylighting techniques include light shelves, light wells, window placement, and harvesting controls for perimeter zones.