Thornton Tomasetti announced that the Acadia Gateway Center administrative and maintenance facility has received LEED Gold Certification. Fore Solutions, the green building consulting company acquired by Thornton Tomasetti in 2012, provided LEED consulting services for the project located in Trenton, Maine at the gateway to Acadia National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the United States.
Fore Solutions was hired by the mechanical engineer on this project, Allied Engineering in Portland Maine, to provide LEED consulting. In this role, Fore Solutions reviewed the energy model, tracked compliance with LEED throughout design and construction and reviewed and submitted LEED documentation to the Green Building Certification Institute.
The Acadia Gateway Center administrative and maintenance facility is the first phase of a multi-phased project to implement a Transportation Demand Management Plan for Acadia National Park in order to reduce automobile traffic on Mount Desert Island. Phase I of the project consists of a 22,000-square-foot center located on Route 3 in Trenton, Maine that will function first as a bus maintenance and storage facility for the seasonal Island Explorer bus system and as a summertime park-and-ride parking lot for people who want to ride the propane-powered buses onto Mount Desert Island.
The second phase will include a visitor center and intermodal facility for the Island Explorer bus service.
Key points:
- This $14.7-million facility was funded through a combination of federal and state sources, including $11.6 million from the Federal Transit Administration.
- The Acadia Gateway Center is anticipated to reduce more than 10 million vehicle miles per year with the Island Explorer buses. Local bus routes will stop at the park and ride on-site to connect building visitors and staff to the surrounding area. Preferred parking for fuel-efficient vehicles is being provided for employees and visitors.
- Water used to wash buses is collected, filtered and reused – reducing water demand by 88%. No irrigation will be used on-site and temporary irrigation will only be provided for one year.
- The project demonstrates a 38.3% improvement in the building performance rating compared to the baseline building performance in ASHRAE-90.1-2004. Energy efficiency measures include an improved thermal envelope, high-efficiency glazing, reduced interior lighting power density and high-efficiency HVAC systems.
- Solar collectors are being used on the project to pre-heat domestic water for the domestic hot water system. Roof materials with a high SRI (Solar Reflectance Index) value have been installed on the roof.
- Materials with recycled content and local materials were used in the project wherever possible, and 70% of construction waste was diverted from landfills.
- Low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, carpet and composite wood materials are being used in the project.
- Accessible temperature and lighting controls have been installed for building occupants. +
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Feb 18, 2015
Why the mobile workplace isn't always mobile
Perkins+Will’s Janice Barnes addresses the nuance in mobility types and explains the importance of defining terms upfront.
University Buildings | Feb 17, 2015
BD+C exclusive: How security is influencing campus design and construction
Campus crime—whether real or perceived—presents Building Teams with more opportunities for early-stage consultation with university clients.
Architects | Feb 17, 2015
Architecture billings dip in January, severe weather likely to blame
“This easing in demand for design services is a bit of a surprise given the overall strength of the market over the past nine months,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 17, 2015
California launches pilot program to finance multifamily retrofits for energy efficiency
The Obama Administration and the state of California are teaming with the Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation on a pilot program whose goal is to unlock Property-Assessed Clean Energy financing for multifamily housing.
Sponsored | Building Team | Feb 17, 2015
Why diversity matters
Companies in the top quartile for gender or racial and ethnic diversity are more likely to have financial returns above their national industry medians.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 17, 2015
Young Millennials likely to return home
Ninety percent of individuals born between 1980 and 1984 and who hold a Bachelor’s degree left home before they were 27 years hold. However, half of this group later returned to their parents’ home, according to a study by the National Longitudinal Study of Youth.
Sponsored | Modular Building | Feb 17, 2015
When lava flow in Hawaii threatens a public school district, officials turn to modular
Hawaii Modular Space, a Williams Scotsman company, designed temporary classroom space for the Pahoa and Keeau schools that would become displaced due to ongoing lava flow in Pahoa, Hawaii.
Healthcare Facilities | Feb 17, 2015
10 healthcare trends worth sharing
The rise of the medical home model of care and ongoing Lean value stream improvement are among the top healthcare industry trends.
High-rise Construction | Feb 17, 2015
Work begins on Bjarke Ingels' pixelated tower in Calgary
Construction on Calgary’s newest skyscraper, the 66-story Telus Sky Tower, recently broke ground.
Mixed-Use | Feb 13, 2015
First Look: Sacramento Planning Commission approves mixed-use tower by the new Kings arena
The project, named Downtown Plaza Tower, will have 16 stories and will include a public lobby, retail and office space, 250 hotel rooms, and residences at the top of the tower.