HNC INTERACTIVE BUILDING ELEVATION

 
 

Tri-pane windows help insulate the building during Duluth's frigid winters.Roof-mounted Solar Panels provide 11.8 kwH of power at peak production.Clerestory Windows provide light to classrooms on the north side, and also open automatically when the building warms up.The Solar Wall pre-heats air for our ventilation system using the energy of the sun.The Ground Source Heat pump circultes a fluid below ground that captilizes on the constant heat coming from the Earth's core, and then transfers the energy into the building's heating system.Pervious Pavement Systems below the Center's walkways and parking area allow rainwater to percolate down into the soil, thus alleviating many of the problems associated with the run-off phenomena that occurs with conventional paving techniques. The roof overhangs such that in the winter, when the sun is low in the sky, its warming rays can penetrate and warm the building, while in the summer, as it travels higher across the sky, the sun's light is blocked out and the building remains cool.The building lies on a south-facing slope, thus maximizing sun exposure for both the rooms and the solar panels, and reducing our dependence on artificial light during the daytime.Most of the materials that make up the Center are at least partially recycled, from our 100% recycled-content aluminum shingles to our 100% recyclable nylon carpet.All of the Nature Center's wood is FSC Certified, meaning it was harvested sustainably and thus is in full accordance with Hartley's desire to set a sustainable example for the Northland.

Move your mouse over various parts of the building to learn more about Hartley's many sustainable and Earth-friendly design features and construction techniques. 

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