Sustainability in the
National Parks--Part V
By Marilyn Pitts
The National Park Service has long been a federal leader in making its
facilities and operations more “green” by employing practices such as
sustainable building: In 1990, the NPS initiated its sustainable design
initiative; in 1994, the NPS adopted its Guiding Principles of
Sustainable Design and, in 1997, the NPS and Department of Energy
created "Green Energy Parks" to promote energy efficiency and renewable
energy.
All total, the National Park Service spends as much as $100 million a
year on renovating existing facilities and new construction. An
increasing percentage of that amount is being spent on sustainable
building as the NPS turns to more energy-efficient construction and
design. In fact, some NPS facilities have received LEED (Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design) certification and many others have
incorporated sustainable building principles in their design, materials
usage, energy systems, water use and deconstruction.
Sustainability from Coast to Coast
Sustainable building design is becoming an increasingly viable and
visible component of parks throughout the National Park System--not just
in the sunny Southwest, but throughout all states. These installations
run the gamut from solar parking lot lighting installations to
full-blown sustainable buildings. The following are a few examples:
New River Gorge National River: The Sandstone Visitor
Center for this West Virginia park opened in 2003. Built on a filled
quarry, the building was constructed using recycled and regional source
materials. The structure uses geothermal energy to reduce the cost of
heating and cooling, features a light-colored roof to reflect sunlight,
and employs down-facing and auto-dimmed lighting. It is estimated that
the building uses 60 percent less energy than the industry standard.
"Green messages" associated with the principles of sustainable design
and operations are placed throughout the building. (Total project cost
was $10.8 million.)
Assateague Island National Seashore: The Tom's Cove
District of this National Seashore (Virginia) features sustainable
bathhouses. Due to the area’s rapidly moving shoreline, the lightweight
cabana structures are composed of stainless steel tubes wrapped with
synthetic canvas to provide portable rooms. Solar-powered transportable
trailers house the self-contained power and controls that power well
pumps and lighting systems for the mobile toilets and cabanas. The
bathhouse also includes prefabricated vault toilets equipped with a
passive ventilation system. Also, the roadway pavement is made from
crushed clam shells (a waste product from local seafood industries)
rather than petroleum-based asphalt.
USS Arizona Memorial: Located in Pearl Harbor (Hawaii),
the visitors’ parking lot features 19 solar safety light units. The
electronic components, including the solar panels, are housed in the
fixture frame mounted on top of the lightpole.
Fort McHenry National Monument: In 1996, Fort McHenry
(Maryland) obtained a recycled building from Gettysburg National
Battlefield and erected it as a new maintenance headquarters.
Energy-efficient utility systems, passive solar lighting and a system to
retain heat by recycling exhaust air in the building were installed. In
the shop's construction, the park "super insulated" the walls and roof
areas with a recycled-newspaper cellulose material to reduce heating and
cooling loads.
Channel Islands National Park: Located just off the
coast of Southern California, this park has an operational goal to
eliminate any reliance on nonrenewable energy wherever possible and, as
new facilities are constructed, defer the use and incorporate green
technology. There are more than 70 renewable energy applications in
operation in the park, ranging from single module solar installations
that power remote communications, weather stations and provide
lighting/ventilation for pit toilets, to a large scale hybrid wind/PV
system on Santa Rosa Island.
The White House: In 2002, the White House installed its
first solar electric system, which included 167 solar electric panels on
the roof of the complex's primary maintenance building and two solar
thermal systems to heat the pool and spa and provide domestic hot water.
Eielson Visitor Center: The Eielson Visitor Center, the
most visited site within Denali National Park, is located 60 miles from
the park entrance and is off the power grid. Construction on a new
8,900-square-foot facility commenced this year (scheduled to open in
2008). The LEED evaluation process was utilized throughout the design
process. Features include a low-profile building design, a steep slope
allowing the building to be partially buried, a green roof (tundra mats
salvaged from the construction site relocated to planters dispersed on
the roof terrace) to aid thermal energy conservation and assist in storm
water run-off reduction, optimally placed clerestory windows to maximize
natural delighting, energy-efficient heating and venting systems, and a
selection of recycled and locally produced material. In addition, the
plans call for expansion of the solar photovoltaic panels and battery
bank currently in use at the visitor center, installation of a solar hot
water heating system for the restrooms, and construction of a small
hydroelectric system in a nearby stream. Remote site concerns and
construction costs have led to consideration of ways to re-use portions
of the existing visitor center by grinding up the concrete block and
using it as fill in the parking area.
Return to Zion
Zion National Park and its visitor’s center was one of the first places
on my trip where I truly noticed how sustainable design has become a key
component of the National Parks. And it’s the perfect place to finish
this series.
While I saw the sustainable design visitor’s center, what I didn’t see
was the newer Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Completed in 2004, the
center accommodates up to 45 employees as well as serving as a field
office and headquarters for medical services, structural fire crews, and
search and rescue personnel. It incorporates a conference and training
room, a fitness room and climbing wall, storage, and emergency vehicle
bays.
Construction on the split-level, 13,167-square-foot facility commenced
in November 2002, and sustainability was a defining feature of the
design from the start. The $3.5 million building features
high-efficiency and alternative heating and cooling systems, combined
with maximized delighting, thermal massing and other site
considerations, which are anticipated to reduce energy consumption by 70
percent and energy costs by 51 percent.
The following are some of the sustainable design features incorporated
in the building:
--The site was designed to optimize solar orientation to maximize
delighting capabilities while reducing heat gain in the summer months.
--The building shell is constructed of split-face concrete block.
Enhanced insulation throughout the building reduces temperature
fluctuations. A white Johns Manville thermoplastic membrane system with
tapered insulation on the roof increases reflectivity.
--Lighting design considerations include Viracon low-emissivity
insulating windows in office spaces, light shelves and louvers to bounce
light from clerestory windows, solar tubes in the main corridors and
stairwell, occupancy light sensors to turn on light fixtures, and
dimming sensors.
--Photovoltaics provide 10 percent of the total power load for the
building.
--Energy Star-rated appliances are used, and solar water heaters preheat
all the hot water for the building. A ground-source heat pump reduces
energy loads by providing alternative heating and cooling.
--The restrooms utilize Kohler brand low-flow or automatic fixtures to
save water. Waterless Co. waterless urinals in the men's restroom
further reduce water use.
--The tile (Terra Green) used throughout the building contains 58
percent recycled glass, and the Mohawk brand carpet features polyester
yarn made from recycled plastic bottles.
--Paints, adhesives, and sealants containing low levels of or no
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were used to reduce emissions.
Not only do sustainable and green buildings help the National Park
Service in its mission to save resources, they also serve as showcases
to educate the public about environmental concerns. This provides the
NPS with the opportunity to educate more than 280 million visitors each
year about sustainable and green design and practices.
Published 11/04/2005 00:00:00
To subscribe or visit go to:
http://www.ecobuildcommunity.com
ConnectPress®, Ltd. Entire
contents copyrighted by ConnectPress, Ltd. All rights reserved.
|