USA. The Lodge at Charlotte Sanctuary gets green building certification

Thursday, 20 July 2006

Continuing to extend The Sanctuary's environmental stewardship, The John James Audubon Lodge - the community's family activity center - has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It's the first recreational building in the state and the first building in Charlotte to achieve this honor.

Crescent Resources, developer of The Sanctuary, joined Choate Construction, general contractor of The Lodge, in pursuing the LEED certification. The design and construction of The Lodge fits with the community's land plan, which was the first in the world to receive Audubon International's Three Diamond designation for its protection of wildlife, water quality, and native flora and fauna, as well as green-building practices.

"We chose to develop The Lodge to meet LEED standards because it's the most widely recognized certification for green-built buildings," says James Martin, project manager for Crescent Resources. "We are pleased the USGBC certified The Lodge following its review of our construction practices and inspection of the completed facility."

The LEED Green Building Rating System(R) is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. LEED was designed, in part, to define green building by establishing a common standard of measurement and to transform the building market.

"Well-founded scientific standards guide the LEED rating system," says Sara O'Mara, LEED certification manager with Choate Construction. "LEED emphasizes sustainable site planning, safeguarding water, energy efficiency, material conservation and protecting indoor air quality."

A few of the green-building techniques used at The Lodge include:

-- The metal roof is made of 60 percent recycled material.

-- Rain gardens filter sediment from storm water and reduce runoff and erosion.

-- HVAC units exceed ENERGY STAR(R) standards and contain humidifiers, providing moist heat, which feels warmer and allows the thermostat to remain on a lower setting.

Not only does The Lodge fit The Sanctuary's plan for sustainable development, but it also forms the center of The Camp, the community's 17-acre waterfront amenity area. Residents enjoy the fitness center, kids' room, gathering areas and outdoor pavilion found at The Lodge, not to mention the six tennis courts, three swimming pools, boating center and trail heads found around The Camp. The full-time activities director keeps the calendar full year-round, with pool parties, movie nights, fitness classes, tennis tournaments and other events.

The Sanctuary offers mature hardwood forests, rolling topography and nearly seven miles of shoreline. Twenty miles of nature trails wind their way through the community and lead to meditation areas and wilderness parks. Private Preserves (homesites) range in size from more than two acres to more than 13 acres. Along the waterfront, a 200-foot conservation corridor serves as a protected watershed buffer - four times the county requirement.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 July 2006 )