October 23: Ottawa Refuge Visitor Center Receives National Award from U.S. Department of Energy
October 23, 2008
“The visitor center stands as a testament to our efforts to imbed ‘green’ energy in every facility possible,” said Congresswoman Kaptur.
“This beautiful building is a symbol of our commitment to achieving energy independence for the future and building our community forward.”
The Ottawa visitor center received the Energy Department’s award for Sustainable Design of a High Performance Building.
The new 13,000-square-foot, three-story facility, which opened to the public last year, replaced an outmoded headquarters building that had been constructed in the 1940s. The new, high-performance structure was designed to be equivalent to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver rating.
Congresswoman Kaptur had worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to insure funding for the new $2 million visitor center, which features a pond-loop geothermal heating and cooling system.
The center incorporates a variety of energy-efficiency techniques: high-efficiency lighting controlled by motion and daylight sensors; radiant floor heating on the main level; point-of-use hot water heaters; high-efficiency tinted windows; super insulation; a reflective metal roof; natural linoleum flooring; carpeting with a high content of recycled material; low light pollution; rainwater gardens and holding ponds; native planting; and, wetlands restoration.
The sustainable building design has cut the headquarters building energy intensity in half.
The visitor center offers hands-on exhibits about the wildlife and habitats within the 9,000-acre Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex and the Great Black Swamp. The center includes an observation deck, bookstore and a multi-purpose room that can accommodate up to 60 people. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“This beautiful building is a symbol of our commitment to achieving energy independence for the future and building our community forward.”
The Ottawa visitor center received the Energy Department’s award for Sustainable Design of a High Performance Building.
The new 13,000-square-foot, three-story facility, which opened to the public last year, replaced an outmoded headquarters building that had been constructed in the 1940s. The new, high-performance structure was designed to be equivalent to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver rating.
Congresswoman Kaptur had worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to insure funding for the new $2 million visitor center, which features a pond-loop geothermal heating and cooling system.
The center incorporates a variety of energy-efficiency techniques: high-efficiency lighting controlled by motion and daylight sensors; radiant floor heating on the main level; point-of-use hot water heaters; high-efficiency tinted windows; super insulation; a reflective metal roof; natural linoleum flooring; carpeting with a high content of recycled material; low light pollution; rainwater gardens and holding ponds; native planting; and, wetlands restoration.
The sustainable building design has cut the headquarters building energy intensity in half.
The visitor center offers hands-on exhibits about the wildlife and habitats within the 9,000-acre Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex and the Great Black Swamp. The center includes an observation deck, bookstore and a multi-purpose room that can accommodate up to 60 people. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.