Retail
Discovery Center West Expansion – Springfield, Missouri
Discovery Center is the first Gold LEED-Certified Building in Southwest Missouri
The Discovery Center “is an interactive, hands on museum committed to inspiring people of all ages with a lifelong love of learning and an appreciation of the world and our place in it.” Along with this philosophy came the responsibility to build sustainably when the Center decided to add on in 2006. Signage throughout the building informs visitors of the sustainable construction practices that were included in the process both visible and non-visible. A green roof feature on the lower portion reduces the heat island effect and storm water runoff. Rain water is captured from the upper roof to flush water closets on the first floor providing them a 90% reduction in potable water consumption. Over 80% of the construction and demolition waste from the process was recycled or reused, and new products were locally sourced to save transportation energy. Other material selections include low VOC products, rapidly renewable products and the use of 77 tons of fly ash in the concrete. Solar panels provide 5% of the energy needs for the building.