In January 2009 the County of San Diego proudly opened the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center. This is the first public agency building in San Diego to obtain a LEED PLATINUM certification. The educational facility utilizes a multitude of innovative LEED features and incorporates state-of-the art, interactive exhibits that showcase the local ecology and the environmental benefits of the LEED program.

The San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center’s goal is to increase awareness and education of sustainability and the environment. In support of this effort the building was designed by Zagrodnik + Thomas Architects to meet the Platinum Certification requirements of the LEED program. The building incorporates green building elements including radiant floor heating, green planted roof, recycled cotton insulation, certified renewable lumber, photovoltaics that will provide 52% of energy requirements, natural daylighting and ventilation, stormwater filtering, and native vegetation. It is one of the few buildings in San Diego that utilize recycled water in interior plumbing to supply the toilets. Perhaps most important is that the facility is used as a venue to educate the public on the advantages of sustainable design.

The goal for the San Elijo Visitor Center is to utilize the LEED PLATINUM certification to educate the public on environmentally friendly building design and present a “practice what we preach” public facility; demonstrating conservation of natural resources, use of recycled and environmentally friendly construction materials, reduced carbon footprint and water use. State of the art, museum quality, interactive exhibits and interpretive signage bring this message home to visitors. Exhibits also incorporate innovative view panels in the floors, walls and ceilings that provide visitors “windows” into the internal special features of the construction, normally hidden from the naked eye. The facility will serve to promote future sustainable design in the San Diego region.

As with any successful project, it was important to have a dynamic, dedicated team. Kudos to the County of San Diego, Zagrodnik + Thomas Architects, Riha Construction and the many consultants who worked on this project. This project has been recognized by the US Green Building Council, Sustainable Communities Program, San Diego Excellence in Energy Awards (SANDEE), Concrete Masonry Association and Green Building of America.

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