PRESS RELEASE
June 26, 2006

Contacts:
Anne Donovan, Communications Director 781-784-0567, x7524 adonovan@ttor.org

Doyle Center Recognized as Gold Standard for Green Buildings
The Trustees of Reservations Receives Leadership in
Energy & Environmental Design Award

Leominster - The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded The Trustees of Reservations a Gold Rating for its Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster.  Part of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED program, the Gold Rating recognizes the building's energy-efficient design and green building techniques that positively impact the environment.

“The Doyle Center captures our vision for a landscape that connects people to place in a way that is both sustainable and enjoyable,” says Andy Kendall, President of The Trustees.  “We are proud that the only major building ever constructed by The Trustees is a Gold Standard in green building.”

The Trustees of Reservations have received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Rating for uthe Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster, shown above.  Photo: © HKT Architects, Inc. and Dan Gair, Blind Dog Photo, Inc.  Note: High resolution photo available on request.

Located near the intersection of Routes 2 and 12 in Leominster, the $5 million, 18,000-square-foot Doyle Conservation Center was funded largely by an anonymous donor.  The building was built by a local construction company, Mullaney Corporation and designed by LEED-accredited HKT Architects Inc., with landscape architects Hines Wasser & Associates, a company known for its strong ecological designs. 

The Doyle Center is the largest capital project ever undertaken by The Trustees, the oldest regional land conservation organization in the county.  The building now serves as The Trustees' Central Regional Office, with both regional and statewide resource protection programs, and home to the Putnam Conservation Institute, which seeks to increase the capacity of the conservation community to protect, care for, and interpret the natural and cultural resources of Massachusetts.

Some of the green building approaches used at the Doyle Conservation Center include:

• A great place to work - Natural light, inspiring views, windows that open, and sustainable construction promotes good air quality and provides a collaborative and collegial work environment.
  
  
• Solar energy - A grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative funded roof-mounted photovoltaic panels that provide 25 percent of the building's electricity.
  
  
• Recycled and renewable materials - Sustainable design includes renewable materials like cork and bamboo flooring, and exterior siding, desks, and shelving are made from agricultural and wood byproducts. 
  
  
• Composting toilets - Using a thin layer of foam soap rather than water to flush, they use 80 percent less water than conventional toilets. 
  
  
• “Smart” heating, cooling, and lighting - Whether during the heat of summer or the cold of winter, two 1,500-foot geothermal wells provide constant 50 degree well water for an extremely energy-efficient method of maintaining thermal comfort without the need for on-site fossil fuels.
  
  
• Site design - The building footprint maximizes open space, while the design integrates the natural landscape.  The more common irrigated, manicured lawn, is replaced with a wetland and meadow that filter stormwater before it is released to the watershed.

“When designing this building, we wanted to create a space that would reflect the ethics of the people who work here every day,” said Jim Younger, Director of Structural Resources for The Trustees.  “We are thrilled about the Gold Rating and are happy to help lead the way with green building in Massachusetts.”