LLoyd Center’s new Welcome Center to be among world’s greenest buildings

Plans for the Lloyd Center for the Environment’s proposed Welcome Center include a drop-off center, visitor restrooms, gathering space, elements using felled trees and reclaimed wood on site, a handicap-accessible sloping grey-water treatment garden, all modeled to rigorous sustainability standards, according to a news release.

The plan, drawn out by architect Kathryn Duff, founder and director of studio2sustain in New Bedford, is a part of the center’s “Transforming a Legacy” $3 million capital campaign, and was presented at Architecture Boston Expo (ABX 2015) in November, the release said.

This story was written by Auditi Guha and first appeared in the Standard Times on 01/08/2016 – HERE

The building is being designed to the Living Building Challenge (LBC) 3.0 sustainability standard — a program of the International Living Future Institute — the most environmentally rigorous certification awarded to buildings over a period of 12 consecutive months after completion. It takes into account traditional “green” imperatives such energy use and ecological impact while also prioritizing community engagement and aesthetic considerations. This will help further establish the Lloyd Center as a leader in environmental education and sustainability leadership, center officials said.

The LBC 3.0 considers place, water, energy, health and happiness, materials, equity, and beauty. The building will treat and reclaim its own water, generate its own energy, and use the natural topography of the site for storm management. It will go beyond not harming the environment and have a positive impact by creating a restorative building. When complete, it will be among the greenest buildings in the world and will serve as a model for future sustainability projects, center officials said.

The Lloyd Center announced the capital campaign in May 2015 and has raised more than half the funds through donations and pledges.

— Auditi Guha

This story was written by Auditi Guha and first appeared in the Standard Times on 01/08/2016 – HERE