The King Pavilion green roof at Iowa State University in Ames has 14 varieties of sedum. The vegetation prevents up to 80 percent of rain and snowmelt from flowing into storm sewers. Photo by Bob Elbert, Iowa State University

The facility is named for Steve and Barb King, who both graduated from Iowa State in 1968. The couple co-founded Landscape Structures Inc., a Delano, Minn. - based commercial playground equipment manufacturer, and donated $1.5 million to the project. (Editor's note: Barbara King, president of Landscape Structures, passed away March 4, 2008 at the age of 61 www.landscapearchitect.com/research/article/10491. More than 2,000 alumni and friends contributed to the project.

RDG Planning & Design of Des Moines designed King Pavilion. The project team included Conservation Design Forum, Elmhurst, Ill., Charles Curt, Engineering Economics Inc., Red Wing, Minn., Holabird & Root, Rochester, Minn., Charles Saul Engineering, Des Moines, Stecker-Harmsen, Ames and The Weidt Group, Minnetonka, Minn.

Stormwater retention management - rain gardens and detention cells under permeable paving-allows water to percolate back into the soils instead of piped into storm drains. Photo by Heather Sauer, Iowa State University

''According to our energy model, King Pavilion will save a little more than $22,000 per year in energy, about $1 per square foot, over a code baseline,'' said Michael Andresen, RDG intern architect and the LEED accredited professional on the project.

''Not only did the College of Design as owner of the building want to have a sustainable project, but Iowa State as a whole is very focused on sustainability,'' Andresen said. ''It's much easier to be innovative and push ideas that help the project be more sustainable when it's a priority for everyone.''