Integration of Building into Nature for the Valles Caldera National Preserve Visitor Center

Date of Award

5-25-2010

Document Type

Undergraduate Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Applied Science

Organizational Unit

University College, Environmental Policy and Management

Disciplines

Environmental Policy & Mgmt

First Advisor

Kathy Flanagan

Keywords

Green building, Landscape, Sustainability, Sustainable building, Sustainable design, Valles Caldera

Abstract

Valles Caldera National Preserve, located in northern New Mexico, has an opportunity to implement sustainable design concepts while demonstrating long-term financial sustainability in the design of its new visitor center. This building can be designed to use natural systems to provide energy and water, and to blend in with the settings unique historical and natural landscape. Structures can be integrated into nature by incorporating common techniques, features, and materials of a particular period, area, or people. This analysis identified capital costs for both traditional and sustainable construction techniques, as well as long-term operational costs. The results demonstrate that capital costs of sustainable design that is integrated into the landscape can be comparable to conventional costs and provide long-term operational costs savings.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

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