Environmental Nature Center, Case Study #2

By:  Kacey Curatola

Gradually developed out of the need for  a natural place for students to be able to learn about “real nature” , the ENC or the Environmental Nature Center arose.  The seedlings for what was to become a Platinum LEED certified building were planted in 1972 when what was once a dumping area and a hodge-podge of miscellaneousness was thought to be capable of being something beautiful, educational, and native.  Due to a small budget, Robert House, coined the term patience as being the main reason success was achieved.

Located at 1601 16^th Street, Newport Beach, Ca, the Environmental Nature Center was created with the cohesion of responsibility and teamwork of LPA Inc., Gentosi Builders, Culp & Tanner ,  and Griffin Structures, Inc.  It is a 9,000 square foot building on a 3.5 acre site. The 15 on-site plant communities of the ENC highlights indigenous California plant life species, most of which have low water-retaining qualities suitable for droughts.  This naturally aids in the conservation of water.  This drive to use native Californian plant life along with the commitment to nature conservation is what led to the ENC vision becoming a reality.

The most obvious choice for the building of a sustainable building would have to be LPA, Inc., which is a leader in the building of LEED-certified projects.  LPA was founded in 1965 and has extensive experience in public and private architecture and designs a diversity of facilities that span from K-12 schools, colleges and universities, to civic, corporate, religious and retail establishments. They believe sustainable design can be achieved on any project, budget, building type and location. The LPA team in chard of the ENC project was: Jim Wirick who served as principal in charge, Rick D’Amato who served as design principal, and Dave Duff who served as project manager.  LPA services for the ENC involved planning, design, programming, architecture, landscape and interior design services. 

Lake Forest, CA-based Culp & Tanner served as the structural engineer.  “Douglas Tanner founded Culp & Tanner’s Chico office in 1972. As a result of quality people, quality design and quality service, Culp & Tanner Chico, has emerged as a leading firm in the structural engineering community. Licensed in 35 states and with the addition of an office in Las Vegas, Culp & Tanner Chico is able to tackle projects anywhere in the US. Today the staff of 24, operates under the leadership of a second generation principal; Rory Rottschalk.” 

GentosiBuilders acting as the general contractor has been building since 1946 and does construction consulting and litigation support including expert witness services are provided for commercial, industrial and residential construction law cases. 

 It was a group effort to get the Environmental Nature Center built. The concept of this building was to further emphasize the commitment to nature that the ENC has.  Every facet of this building must have sustainability at the forefront.  Alongside LPA, Inc., Griffin Structures, Inc. provided program management. It has locations in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Italy. Griffin Structures, Inc., has a self-declared reputation of being an industry leader of successful project management for nearly thirty years.  They consider themselves to be a trusted advisor for the successful delivery of projects. 

“Sustainable features include: optimized building orientation; bicycle storage and shower facilities; drought tolerant, indigenous landscape; fixtures that promote water conservation - such as waterless urinals and low-flow faucets; efficient storm water management and daylight harvesting.

Photo-voltaic roof panels convert light into power and provide for 100 percent of the building's power needs making the ENC a "net zero" building, a new model for sustainability.

Guests enjoy natural ventilation without the use of heating and/or air conditioning, dimming systems and occupancy sensors, an aggressive Sustainable Education program, heat island reduction, and green housekeeping techniques and products.

The extensive use of recycled and recyclable materials includes: insulation made of recycled blue jeans; natural linoleum for countertops - 100% organic and recyclable; composite wood for exterior skin made from saw dust and natural resin; pressed organic materials for millwork and shelving units; natural concrete; carpet tiles with high recycled content and recycled fabrics/finishes for furnishings and work stations.” . Quote Link to Article

           

Natural Denim Insulation: Bonded Logic, UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation

Recycled Material Carpeting: Shaw Contract Group, Malang Modern Mace carpet tiles

Siding and Fences: Trex Accents decking material [www.trex.com]

Countertop at reception desk – Aristech Acrylics LLC, Avonite Surfaces,“Palm Desert” 

Dual-Flush Toilet: Caroma USA, Caravelle 270 Elongated