The Swaner EcoCenter, a new 10,000-square-foot facility in Park City that promotes environmental awareness, will receive the prestigious Platinum LEED Certification, one of a handful of buildings in Utah to do so.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design designation was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington, D.C.-based, nonprofit coalition of building industry leaders. Rankings go from basic to silver, gold and platinum, with each one signifying more effort and success in achieving energy efficiency.

The Swaner EcoCenter is part of a nonprofit land trust, with 1,200 acres in the Snyderville Basin. Visitors will discover re-used and rapidly renewable elements throughout the building, as well as a show-and-tell approach to teaching eco-friendly living.

"There's this great cycle of life in the preserve, and we wanted the building to reflect that, too," says Kathy Wheadon, principal at CRSA, the architecture firm that designed the building. "Everything had to tie together."

The architects focused their innovative design on water, air, earth and sun. For instance, ground cisterns collect 10,000 gallons of storm water used to flush the toilets and irrigate the landscape. Sorghum stalks were used in cabinetry at the front desk, sunflower husks for wood panels on the counters, bamboo on the floors and recycled materials for finishes.

On the south-facing roof of the building, photovoltaic panels convert the sun's light energy into electricity. The balance of electricity supplied to the building will come from certified renewable energy sources. Another type of panel, part of a hydronic system, takes the sun's heat energy and concentrates it to heat water for washing hands, showering and other domestic uses.

And in the exhibit hall, glazed roof panels allow natural light in, while shading the room from the heat of the day.

The facility at 1258 Center Drive is open to the public. Hours are noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To make a tour appointment, call 435-649-1767. For information, visit www.swanerecocenter.org.

Dawn House