Open to the public, the Green Building Resource Center serves as both an educational experience and a unique hands-on approach showroom for customers. The 1800sqft space offers a number of educational resources including an onsite Project Manager who will review building plans to help incorporate green strategies.
The building itself features 40 solar panels and is located along a public transportation route to further reiterate the green theme. In January of 2010, the GBSC received a LEED Gold Interiors rating earing a total of 35 points. The Center takes incredible pride in their rating and proudly displays there plaque for visitors to see as they enter the building.
A great attribute of the Center is the ability to walk through and touch samples allowing for a more complete experience for those who are unfamiliar with green materials. Many of the displays showcase practical and affordable products which visitors can learn about and incorporate into their own homes. Another nice touch to the showroom was the use of repurposed furniture in 83% of displays.
Again, this is another great example of how centralizing is beneficial to consumers. The public can seek information via the vast library of information offered, utilize the guest workstations, walk through and see how green building materials can be used. This provides a positive experience while remaining accessible to those with little knowledge about green building; serving as a great introduction to sustainability.
Although located in the City of Houston Code Enforcement Building for only 2 years, the Center is already in the process of moving to a bigger location. Hopefully, this is an indicator of the growing interest in sustainable/green building.
No comments:
Post a Comment