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Chesapeake Bay Foundation Continues Tradition of Building With the Bay in Mind 05-08-15 | News

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Continues Tradition of Building With the Bay in Mind

Clivus Multrum showcases a diversity of compost toilet applications. Chesapeake Bay Foundation's new Brock Environmental Center was built to achieve both LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certifications.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation recently opened its new Brock Environmental Center, built to achieve both LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certifications. The 10,000 square foot building utilizes solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal wells, rain cisterns, and natural landscaping in addition to the Clivus Multrum composting toilet systems.

The Virginia Beach, Va. building provides office space for 24 CBF staff, office space for a local non-profit dedicated to the nearby Lynnhaven River, and conference space for meetings with local government, coalition partners, workshops and training events. CBF will also provide environmental education to 2,000 to 3,000 students per year at the Brock Environmental Center.

"The land acquisition through the design and construction was done in line with CBF's educational philosophy," said Paul Willey, CBF Director of Facilities. "The building is a teaching tool. The Brock Environmental Center was designed to meet, and even surpass, its water and energy needs with on-site rooftop solar panels and wind turbines, and by using rainwater for all of its water needs including drinking water."

Willey reports that the building uses 90 percent less water than a typical building of similar size, and 90 percent of that water reduction is attributed to the waterless Clivus composting toilet systems. The Clivus composting toilets were included because, Willey says, "We've been using Clivus since 1975 so we have strong experience with them. You cannot compete with the water savings in any other way. We know it, we trust it, and it works."