Wildwood City Hall
Wildwood City Hall is LEED Certified!
Wildwood City Hall has been designed and built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principals. LEED design is an innovative approach that utilizes sustainable site design, water efficiency, energy efficiency, and sustainable materials and resources. It also takes into consideration atmosphere quality and indoor environmental quality. LEED certified buildings, often called “Green Buildings”, are high-performance, energy efficient, healthful, durable, environmentally sound and economical.
The development of this building and site is a reflection of the original founders of this City, who sought to live harmoniously with the environment of this area and protect it for future generations. With the support of Wildwood residents, who voted to authorize the construction of the building, this legacy of environmental awareness continues forward.
What is LEED?
“The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.”
The following are features within this building that qualify it for this type of certification:
Vegetated Roof
Vegetated green roofs not only improve the quality of stormwater by filtering it, but also reduces the heat island effect (thermal gradient differences between developed and undeveloped areas) to minimize impact on microclimate and human and wildlife habitat
Water Efficient Landscaping
Reduces the use of potable water for landscape irrigation. Climate-tolerant plants and landscaping were chosen, so as not to require potable water irrigation because they can survive on natural rainfall quantities.
Rain Gardens
Limits disruption of natural hydrology and reduces water pollution by increasing on-site infiltration and management of stormwater runoff
Daylight and Views
Windows provide the building occupants a connection between indoor spaces and the outdoors through the introduction of daylight and views into the regularly occupied areas of the building. This design allows the lighting to be on only, when necessary, which is determined by daylight sensors in each space.
Maximized Open Space
A high ratio of open space to the development footprint was provided to promote biodiversity and meet City requirements.
Low Emmitting Materials
Reduces the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants.
Lighting Controls
Individual lighting controls and occupancy sensors are supplied in all spaces of the building to reduce lighting energy loads and promote the productivity, comfort, and the well-being of building occupants.
Optimized Energy Performance
The energy performance of this building achieved greater than 33% over a baseline building energy performance (ASHRAE 90.1), which reduces environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use.
Green Cleaning Program
An extensive green cleaning program eliminates the use of harmful chemicals by utilizing environmentally friendly cleaners, HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaners, and proper waste disposal, all which helps reduce the exposure of building occupants and maintenance personnel to potentially hazardous chemical, biological and particulate contaminants, which adversely affect air quality, human health, building finishes, building systems and the environment.
Recycled Content/Regional Materials
The use of recycled materials (20%) reduces the environmental impacts resulting from extraction and processing of virgin materials. The use of regional materials (35%) supports local suppliers and reduces the environmental impacts resulting from transportation.
Smoke-Free
Minimizes exposure to building occupants, indoor surfaces, and ventilation air distribution systems to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS).
Construction Waste Management
Over 80% of the construction and demolition debris was recycled, which eliminated their disposal in landfills and incinerators.
Building Orientation
The design and orientation of the building, with primary north/south exposures and narrow east/west facing width, is intended to reduce direct exposure to the sun, which contributes to energy efficiency.
Solid Waste Recycling
Recycling containers are placed throughout the building to facilitate paper, cardboard and plastic recycling by building occupants.
City Hall achieved a GOLD level LEED certification in November 2013.
