• All stormwater and wastewater will be treated on site, and rainwater and air-conditioning condensate water will be used for irrigating plants. It will be stored in 55,700 gallon tanks above and below ground.
   
• 65% of the site was restored with native plants and grasses, providing wildlife habitat and water infiltration zones, and reducing the heat-island affect
   
• Light-colored roofs were used, further reducing the heat-island affect.
   
• High efficiency plumbing fixtures were used to reduce use of potable water and wastewater treatment.
   
• 85% of construction waste was re-used or recycled, reducing materials going to landfills.

Energy

• The project will use 25% less energy than mandated by code, with a combination of wind and solar power, and high-efficiency mechanical and electrical systems, including server virtualization. In addition, Green Power is being used to provide power for the complex, and renewable energy certificates have been acquired.
   
• The project has reduced ozone depletion by insuring that no chlorofluorocarbons or hydrochlorofluorocarbons will be used in the building’s cooling systems.
   
• High efficiency lighting systems were implemented, along with full-cutoffs on site lighting fixtures, so there is no light pollution in accordance with the policies of the International Dark Sky Association.

Materials

• 34% of the materials used on the project* were made of recycled-content materials.
   
• 48% of the materials* were sourced within 500 miles of the project, reducing the carbon footprint of the project by eliminating transportation needs and fuel costs.
   
• 66% of the wood used was harvested from sustainably-managed forests (FSC-certified).
  High-efficiency glass and sunshade devices provide natural lighting for occupants, while minimizing heat gain.

Indoor Environmental Quality

• Harmful volatile organic compounds were removed from the project by using low-voc paints, adhesives, carpets, and wood products. An indoor air quality plan insured that harmful particulates were filtered out of the buildings during construction and before occupancy, and air quality testing has been done to insure that the project succeeded in its goal of maintaining a healthy air quality environment for its occupants. An operational plan to monitor the Indoor Air Quality has been developed and will be used by GVEC to maintain high levels of occupant comfort.
   
• Motion-detecting lighting controls exceed the requirements of Texas SB5 and ASHRAE 90.1 (Energy code).

*Percentage calculated by materials cost.

Click here to download the fact sheet.