Center for Ecosystems Based Fisheries Research
This LEED Gold Graduate Education and Lab Facility is the first LEED School in South Alabama.
The owner’s vision for the 13,500-SF, $3,5000,000 building was a low-maintenance, budget-conscious, resilient building that incorporated both passive and active solar design. Watershed provided LEED Consulting, Architectural Design, and Construction Administration services on the project, in partnership with WAV architects. The landscape, architecture, and engineering were deeply integrated in order to leverage energy savings and minimize first costs. Daylighting and shading strategies were the given top priority, and the glazing performance fine tuned for the solar orientation of each facade. Unlike other research facilities on campus, interior windows share views throughout the building and create a social research atmosphere intended to encourage collaborative research.
A combination of energy conservation, photovoltaics, and solar thermal technology reduce power consumption by 86,694 KwH of electricity per year, or enough to power 17-18 homes. Solar panels generate enough electricity to power all lighting. and a solar thermal hot water heater meets 100% of the building’s hot water needs. Interior water use was reduced by 37%.
According to the EPA’s emissions calculator, the system is estimated to save 186,694 KwH of electricity per year, or enough to power 17-18 homes. Solar panels generate enough electricity to power all lighting, and a solar thermal hot water heater meets all the hot water needs of the building with the heat of the sun.
The Sea Lab campus is built on an old Air Force base, and the staff insisted that the new building be built “like a brick.” The simplified approach allowed the use of local materials for 35% of the total building materials in the project. Exposing structure and eliminating finishes also reduced the amount of waste created during construction, resulting in a construction waste recycling rate exceeding 90%.
The grounds surrounding the building were designed as a coastal meadow to provide both habitat for migratory birds and butterflies, and storm water absorption and filtration services for the building. During one rain event, these sandy swales are capable of absorbing and filtering over 40,000 gallons of storm water.
Project type: educational/civic new construction
Location: Dauphin Island, AL
Certification: LEED Gold
