Sweetwater Creek State Visitor Center

The Sweetwater Creek State Visitor and Interpretive Center in Lithia Springs, Georgia, was built through the efforts of community and neighborhood volunteers and serves as a model of environmentally friendly design, construction, and operation.  The building includes a large exhibit area for historical ruins, retail areas, administrative offices, audiovisual/multipurpose room, a water quality lab/classrooms, and restrooms.

The design incorporated a photovoltaic solar array, automatic lighting controls, a high efficiency HVAC system, demand controlled ventilation, rainwater collection, waterless urinals, composting toilets, and other green features. Primary considerations for building material selection were first cost and life-cycled cost economy as well as durability and maintenance.

The facility received the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Platinum Certification in the southeast through the commissioning expertise of CxGBS.

Added Value through CxGBS® Services:

• 90 percent reduction in potable water use, exceeding the 77 percent anticipated reduction.
• 51 percent total energy cost savings.
• Nutrient recycling and use of recycled and sustainable materials.
• Sustainable systems, incorporated into exhibits inside the building, teach visitors about conservationism.
• Green housekeeping and site management programs.

TEAM:

Owner:
GA Department of Natural Resources

Design Professionals:
Gerding Collaborative, Inc.

Construction Professionals:
Mooney Construction

Commissioning Professionals:
Commissioning & Green Building Solutions, Inc.