Austin Gardens Environmental Center

Austin Gardens Environmental Center. Learn more about the innovative, energy-saving features of this building. , Energy Efficient from the Ground Up , A well-insulated building is the first step to lowering heating and cooling energy needs. The Environmental Education Center was built with super-insulated walls, roof and foundation to create a tight building envelope. Triple-glazed windows let in plenty of light but keep out the cold and wind. Because these structural improvements are built-in, heating and cooling needs are minimal, and nearly all of the energy needed can be supplied by the solar panels. , , The center was designed to echo the natural surroundings of the park. The tall pillars and deep porch eaves create the same energy-saving shade effect as the nearby trees. , , Solar panels are located on the south-facing roof to maximize their sun exposure. , , Capturing Energy from the Sun , Rays of sunlight (photons) hit the solar panels and cause a reaction that produces a direct current (DC) of electricity. The DC is converted into alternating current (AC) that can be safely used inside the building to power the lights, outlets and heat pump. All excess power generated is returned to the power grid. , , The upper roof houses 70, 280-watt solar panels that generate 15,000 kilowatts of clean energy per year. , , Benefits of a Rooftop Garden , The lower section of the roof has 500 square feet of water-loving plants that collect rain water and clean it before it is stored in the cistern or routed to the rain gardens. , , All rain water is treated and used on-site, lessening the burden on the local storm drain system. , , The green roof provides extra insulation to the room below and produces oxygen through photosynthesis. , , Fallen Ash Trees Get a Second Chance , The Park District had to remove three ash trees from our parks due to the invasive Emerald Ash Borer. The wood from these trees was salvaged and milled into the interior trim you see inside the building. Most fallen trees in the park are turned into mulch, but these trees will live on permanently inside the building for the life of the center. , , The fluid inside of the pipes is warmed in winter or cooled in summer by the earth's constant temperature. , , Geothermal: Using the Earth to Heat and Cool , This closed-loop geothermal system uses the earth's constant temperature of 55 degrees to provide a highly-efficient heating and cooling system all year long. , , How it works: The system is made of pipes that extend 500 feet below the ground. The continuous piping loops are filled with an antifreeze-like liquid that helps transfer the ground temperature to the geothermal heat pump. The heat pump is powered by electricity produced by the solar panels on the roof making this an environmentally-friendly system. , , Environmental Education Center is a Platinum LEED certified building , LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing verification that a building was designed and built using strategies that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO₂, emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources.