$25 Members/$35 non-members

The first BuildingEnergy Pro Tour of 2019 featured an environmental learning center built for LEED Platinum certification.

This tour, hosted by A.W. Hastings, highlighted the sustainable features of an environmental education center that acts as the gateway to a 450-acre site owned and operated by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The tour began with an off-site opening presentation, where the hosts gave an overview of the project. Attendees learned how design decisions were driven by the conservation goals of the environmental center and the non-profit conservation group that operates onsite.  Attendees then traveled by bus to the site to see the project and hear from additional members of the project team about specific aspects of their work on the building.

The tour covered interior and exterior aspects of the building, as well as the sustainable landscaping strategies that were employed for site design. Topics included strategies for site placement that best optimize daylighting, views, and solar potential; materials selection; rainwater harvest system; energy systems; and bird friendly design strategies. The event concluded with a reception and a Q&A with the project team.

Project Details

• Type of Construction: New - completed 2016
• Honor Award for Design, AIA of Eastern New York
• geothermal ground source heating and cooling
• Landscape design includes permeable pavement, bioswales, and native plantings
• Vegetated green roof & bird-friend design
• Onsite rainwater collection for irrigation and flushing toilets
• Materials include regional, recycled, and low-emitting selections

Tentative Schedule 

If you have questions about this event, you can contact Florence at fmacgregor@nesea.org or 413-774-6051 x10.