The National Park Service and Forever Resorts have dedicated the world's first floating building project to be registered for LEED certification at Lake Mead National Recreation Area’s Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina. on Lake Mohave. The building, which will serve as the marina’s operations office, is expected to be certified at the LEED Gold rating by the end of this year.
“It was a visionary team made up of private industry and government led by our partner Forever Resorts that transformed this idea into action,” says Superintendent Bill Dickinson. “We’re setting the standard for eco-friendly floating buildings. There is no better place than in a national park to do that.”
The floating eco-friendly structure features sustainable modular construction and state-of-the-art energy-efficient and environmentally responsible materials and fixtures. Decking is made of a composite of rice hulls and recycled plastic and the exterior stucco is made of recycled tires. Use of low or no volatile organic compound materials, paints and adhesives will rid the building of the typical “new building” smell improving the overall indoor air quality.
To commemorate the building’s dedication, the National Park Service and Forever Resorts are conducting an art contest. Submissions should be inspired by the environment, wildlife, landscape and history of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and will be accepted through August 15, 2011. The winner in each category will receive Black Canyon River Adventure rafting excursions for a family of four and will have their artwork displayed in the new marina building. Additionally, one grand prize winner will receive a houseboat vacation departing from any Forever Resorts marina in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Full details and rules are available on Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina’s Facebook page.
The project’s key earth-minded elements and commitments include the Forever Resorts Forever Earth Environmental Management System and a mix of new and existing programs:
• Green Cleaning Program throughout the resort (currently in place)
• Green Purchasing Program (currently in place)
• Energy and Environmental Education Programs for boaters and community members (currently in place)
• Extensive energy saving materials and systems, including high-performance insulated glass
• High-efficient HVAC equipment and delivery systems
• Extensive use of recycled and regionally extracted and/or manufactured materials, such as concrete, steel, drywall, metal studs, carpet, etc.
• Finish materials, paints, adhesives, caulks and sealants that contain low or no volatile organic compounds to ensure healthy indoor air quality
• Extensive natural daylight and views to the outdoors throughout, maximizing east/west orientation
• Recycled and recyclable building and landscape materials
• Prevention of night sky pollution