Barrier Island Study Center Receives Gold LEED Certification and Stewardship Award

The BHI Conservancy’s Barrier Island Study Center has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

The Barrier Island Study Center achieved LEED Gold certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. The Center was designed by Jay DeChesere, AIA and constructed by Adams Southeastern Construction.

LEED certification of the Study Center was based on a number of green design and construction features including the use of “riverwood” salvaged from the Cape Fear River, present on the stairs, flooring and trim throughout the building; recycled tiles throughout the interior; energy efficient lighting, including natural light from skylights, which filters down to the first floor through glass flooring panels on the second floor; 100% recycled cotton panels in the ceilings, which provide acoustical insulation; native landscaping and more.

The Barrier Island Study Center is one of 71 gold projects for new construction in the state of North Carolina, and one of six gold certified projects in southeastern North Carolina for new construction. 

The Barrier Island Study Center has also received the Outstanding Stewardship Award from the Lower Cape Fear Stewardship Development Coalition. This award recognizes development projects which demonstrate outstanding environmental stewardship and high marks in the areas of site inventory & development plan, water quality protection, green building, wetland riparian preservation/restoration, habitat protections/improvement, vegetation protections/enhancement, natural project amenities, long-term management and maintenance, community outreach/education and re-use/revitalization of existing site.

Published on Monday, April 8, 2013