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" It&amp;#039;s true that structures that incorporate &amp;quot;green&amp;quot; design elements are inherently inventive, since they often utilize state-of-the-art technologies in order to have minimum impact on the environment. However, there are some buildings that go above and beyond even green conventions in order to meet Gold- or even Platinum-level LEED (Leadership in Energy &amp;amp;amp; Environmental Design) building certification standards. From a water facility with a 30,000-square-foot green roof to a nonprofit center with a 42-gallon water tank that stores rainwater for reuse, these eight award-winning architectural superstars are truly green trailblazers. Gish Family Apartments in San Jose, California  This 35-unit energy-efficient housing complex is LEED Gold-certified for homes and new construction. Built on an urban brownfield (a vacant property that may require additional cleanup due to possible contamination by hazardous substances) and located near public transportation, the complex obtained 20% of its materials from within 500 miles of the structure, and 90% of the construction waste was later recycled. The building has a rooftop photovoltaic array\u2014which harvests photons from the sun to convert into electricity\u2014that offsets 30% of the energy costs. The apartment complex also uses 62% less potable water due to the installation of minimal-flow sinks, showers and toilets. Photo courtesy of Bernard Andre Photography and First Community Housing The Animal Foundation&amp;#039;s Dog Adoption Park in Las Vegas, Nevada  Rather than adhere to the standard layout, a large room filled with individual dog kennels, The Animal Foundation opted for this adoption park filled with 22 identical &amp;quot;bungalows&amp;quot; that each house 10 to 12 dogs. Built according to LEED Platinum requirements, this complex uses the region&amp;#039;s ample wind and sun resources to its benefit; mounted solar panels provide shade while generating 25% of the daily required energy, and outside air is cooled by indirect evaporative coolers before being circulated throughout the rooms. The park uses a &amp;quot;living machine&amp;quot; to treat waste water that is then reused on site, thus reducing water needs by 50%. Overall, the animal shelter uses 81% less energy than comparable structures. Photo courtesy of Tate Snyder Kimsey Western Center for Archaeology &amp;amp;amp; Paleontology in Hemet, California  Designated as the first Platinum LEED museum in the United States, this building is connected to the virtually identical Center for Water Education via a pedestrian walkway. The 70,000-square-foot twin-building complex is located on the Diamond Lake Reservoir, and fossils found during the reservoir&amp;#039;s creation are housed within the Western Center. The buildings utilize photovoltaic panels, which provide almost 50% of the structures&amp;#039; energy needs, and heat-blocking glass, to keep out the arid region&amp;#039;s intense sun while allowing in natural light to minimize use of electric lights. Outdoors, a drip-irrigation system uses reclaimed water to nourish native and drought-tolerant plants. Photo courtesy of James Horecka, AIA, Architect Heifer International in Little Rock, Arkansas  The headquarters for this nonprofit, which is dedicated to ending world hunger, is located on 22 acres of land that was once 60% covered by paving (which was crushed and reused during the construction process). The brownfield\u2014and former railroad switching yard\u2014now has restored wetlands partly surrounding this green structure. The building uses 55% less energy than a conventional one, and a five-story-tall, 42,000-gallon water tank collects rainwater used for toilets and cooling systems. The steel, timber and aluminum used were all locally sourced, and recycled denim is used for the insulation. Photo courtesy of Heifer International Philip Merrill Environmental Center in Annapolis, Maryland  For environmental advocacy group the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, it was important that its headquarters be as eco-friendly as its causes. This structure uses 90% less water than a conventional office building by utilizing composting toilets and capturing rainwater to reuse. Geothermal walls keep the interior warm in the winter and cool in the summer, solar panels heat water used indoors, and a &amp;quot;total energy management system&amp;quot; monitors energy usage and daylight levels and alerts employees when windows are open\u2014all contributing to the center&amp;#039;s designation as the first building to ever receive a LEED Platinum rating.Photo courtesy of Andreas Kollegger via Flickr.com Pocono Environmental Education Center in Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania  The goal for this building was to create a hands-on classroom experience that promotes the group&amp;#039;s mission to raise environmental awareness. To that end, many of the structure&amp;#039;s elements were intended to be teaching tools. For instance, tires found in the surrounding rivers and park grounds were recycled and used to build the structure&amp;#039;s north wall, showcasing how items can be reused for new purposes. Located within a native forest, the site for this center was chosen because the area had already been cleared by a previous owner and construction would have no adverse effect on local ecosystems.Photo courtesy of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and Pocono Environmental Education Center The Molecular Foundry in Berkeley, California  This nanotechnology research laboratory had major hurdles to overcome to achieve a LEED Gold rating, since it housed areas such as wet and dry labs, sterile cleanrooms and a server room, which traditionally demand a large amount of energy. Once completed, the structure ended up using 28% less energy than required by the extremely stringent California building efficiency standard. Almost all wood used was sustainably harvested, and 85% of construction waste was recycled. Photo courtesy of Roy Kaltschmidt Whitney Water Purification Facility in New Haven, Connecticut  This 360-foot-long steel building, which was designed to look like an inverted water droplet, provides water to southern Connecticut and includes an educational center. The 30,000-square-foot green roof contains 900 pounds of grass clippings and 7,000 perennial flowers\u2014making it the largest green roof in the state. No natural habitats were affected by its construction, and the surrounding wetlands, which are home to migrating birds, were actually enlarged during the construction process. Photo courtesy of Chris McVoy and Steven Holl Architects  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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