DLA Architects’ design of Cantigny Outdoor Education Center awarded LEED Silver

Oct. 18, 2010 - PRLog -- The United States Green Building Council awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification for the design of the Cantigny Outdoor Education Center in Wheaton by DLA Architects, Ltd. Incorporating green and sustainable design principles, the center provides an outstanding healthy indoor environment for learning, a respect for the environment at large, and a concern for energy conservation.

The Cantigny Outdoor Education Center is a multi-purpose facility used for meetings, lectures, and workshops as well as social and scouting activities.  

Cantigny is the estate of the late Robert McCormick, former publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Over the years since his death, the property has been developed for the use, enjoyment and education of the public of the State of Illinois.

The design effort began with an eco-charrette attended by the owner, architect, engineer, and commissioning agent. An eco-charrette is an interactive brainstorming and team-building exercise that generates and targets sustainability goals for a green building. The purpose was to translate Cantigny’s mission statement of public education and environmental conservancy into a three-dimensional facility exemplifying this ideal.

Consistent with Cantigny’s mission, the building will teach the public how to incorporate green and sustainable design principles into their daily lives.

The design is intended to decrease site impact in terms of vehicular access and parking, provide storm water control through bio-swales and porous paving, reduce the non-roof heat island effect and minimize light pollution. Operable windows and clerestories lessen the need for air conditioning as well as maximize views and the opportunity to employ daylighting principle. Individual lighting controls and motion sensors as well as thermostatic controls, maximize indoor environmental comfort.

Potable water is conserved through the use of low-flow toilet fixtures, dual flush toilets, and xeriscape landscaping. By definition, xeriscape landscaping is landscaping designed specifically for properties where water conservation is practiced. Derived from the Greek xeros meaning "dry," the term, xeriscape means literally "dry landscape."

The energy-conscious building systems are linked to and controlled by a campus wide energy management system.

Construction materials had a significant recycled content and were regionally extracted, processed and manufactured. Construction waste was diverted from the landfill by recycling. Indoor air quality was managed during construction and pre-occupancy. Low VOC materials were specified.

“The Cantigny Outdoor Education Center reinforces the educational mission of Cantigny, while at the same time blending into and respecting the existing natural setting and historical character of the McCormick estate,” said Bruce R. Dahlquist, AIA, LEED AP BD+C – President, DLA Architects, Ltd.

DLA Architects, Ltd. was recognized by Building Design and Construction Magazine as one of the “Nation’s Largest Green Building Leaders,” “Top K-12 School Design Firms,” and one of the “Overall Giants 300 Architectural Firms.”  

For more information about DLA Architects, Ltd., call 630-230-0420 or visit http://www.dla-ltd.com.

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DLA Architects is a full service architectural firm specializing in educational, medical, recreational, office/commercial, specialty office, and theater design.