Five Rivers Environmental Education Center Phase 2 New York State DEC Albany, NY
Honor Award for Design, AIA of ENY Excelsior Award, NYS Community Engagement Award NYS USGBC
The Five Rivers Environmental Education Center is the gateway to the 450-acre site owned and operated by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The Phase 1, Guided School Program Building, houses the Friends of Five Rivers, a not-for-profit citizens' support group serving the Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and promoting environmental education programs. It provides a classroom and work room to support the various indoor and outdoor educational programs that the Center offers. The Phase 2, Visitor Center, offers a variety of educational exhibits on the site’s history, ecology, and environmental resources and provides presentation and assembly areas, staff offices, and support spaces. The project design aspires to be LEED platinum certified and integrates many sustainable features including:
- optimized building solar and view orientation - high performance structural insulated panels - solar sunshading - geothermal ground source heating and cooling - solar hot water panels - photovoltaic panels - natural ventilation - daylighting - upwards of 60% energy savings - vegetated ‘green’ roof - rainwater harvesting for flushing toilets and irrigation - harvested wood columns - certified wood product - bird-friendly design strategies - permeable pavers and bioswales - native landscaping - use of regional materials and materials with recycled content - use of low-emitting materials
