Escalante Science Center, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (Escalante, UT)

Department of the Interior

The Bureau of Land Management’s Escalante Science Center at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, nominated for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) certification, was constructed to incorporate environmentally sensitive, sustainable features throughout. Daylight controls with dimmable ballasts, skylights, and interior and exterior light shelves reduce lighting output and control direct lighting for increased occupant comfort and productivity. Natural ventilation, operable windows, and low-VOC materials also contribute to a healthy indoor environment. Water-saving and reuse technologies reduce wastewater volume by 50 percent. These features, along with occupancy sensors, increased insulation, and evaporative cooling makes the facility almost 41 percent more energy efficient than a comparable building.