Sweetwater Creek State Park Visitor Center, Lithia Springs, Georgia, USA

Located in Lithia Springs, only miles away from the heart of Atlanta, Sweetwater Creek State Park is a 2,500-acre (1011 ha) wonderful oasis and a favourite resort for the native people. The famous park boasts of a 215-acre (87 ha) George Sparks Reservoir, and one of the most eco-friendly buildings in the USA - the Visitor Center, which earned LEED Platinum Certification from the US Green Building Council in the category of New Constructions. The center which is also a museum is owned by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Gross floor area of the Center is 360 square meters (or 3885 square feet). Built by the design of the architectural company Gerding Collaborative, the Visitor Center was opened to the public in 2006. The Center includes offices, meeting rooms and classrooms, laboratories and spaces for exhibitions. The green roof is used for rainwater collecting and reuse. The 1-story building also features a composting toilet system, reduction of water use and photovoltaic solar panels. Cost of the project was approximately $1,5 million.

By Astghik Atabekyan, www.building.am

Photos:www.greenroofs.com