Green Building Technologies

Certified Gold!

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The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center is Gwinnett County’s first LEED Gold certified “green” building.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance, environmentally friendly building.

The center was leading the way by meeting stringent construction and performance criteria in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.		    

Sustainability

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The center is a working exhibit of green building standards! Many components of sustainability were considered in the design of the building.


Easily renewable building products such as cork and southern pine were used whenever possible. Tectum, a recycled paper product, makes up the ceiling, and recycled iron and aluminum are used for the structural supports.

Come check out many more environmentally friendly building practices and real world applications for reducing your carbon footprint!

  

Green Roof

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At nearly an acre, this is the largest sloped vegetative roof in the southeast.

This unique roof minimizes the heat island effect associated with a normal asphalt roof, and helps keep the interior of the building cooler and reduces storm water runoff.

It is planted with a variety of low-growing, drought resistant native plants, reducing the need for irrigation.

    

Pervious Pavement

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Porous paving surfaces and bioswales work together to allow water to follow a more natural path to filter impurities and increase groundwater recharge.


Controlling storm water runoff away from culverts and channels and reduces impurities in nearby lakes and streams as well as reducing problems that arise from erosion. 

  

Water Feature

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An innovative water feature was created using a formerly dry ravine, reducing site disturbance during construction. Not only stunning to look at, the water feature also functions as a horizontal cooling tower, playing an integral part in heating and cooling the building.

The water feature uses non-potable, but highly cleaned re-use water from the nearby water reclamation facility.