Going Green: Building Adirondack Sustainability

Sustainable or green design has become increasingly popular, as a response to climate change, environmental issues, and advancements in technology. Using local materials, incorporating energy efficient systems, and capturing passive energy are all methods for reducing the impact of our built environment, and designers and builders continuously work to implement these systems into both new construction and historic rehabilitation projects.

During this outing we will tour a sustainably rehabilitated private home in Lake Placid, followed by a visit to two LEED certified buildings on the campus of the North Country School Camp Treetops. LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” and is a designation given to buildings whose construction follows a specific set of criteria, with Platinum as the highest possible rating. Here, we will explore the Clark House, a residential building at North Country School, and the recently constructed Walter Breeman Performing Arts Center, a 10,000 square foot multi-use space that is designed to produce more energy than it use. Through both, we will learn about the strategies that underlie the continued maintenance of this architecturally eclectic campus. Lastly, we will visit among the first passive solar private homes in the Adirondacks in Keene Valley.

This tour will be led by AARCH Staff, Saranac Lake Architect Jesse Schwartzberg, and several property owners.

The tour begins at 10 a.m. and ends around 4 p.m.

FEE:  $40 for AARCH members and $50 for non-members

TOUR REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Photos courtesy of John Culpepper and the North Country School.