East Alton, IL
Project Scope: The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station, a 32,000-square-foot research facility that contains laboratories, classrooms and riverside access, serves as a model of green construction with minimal environmental impact, integrated renewable energy systems and internal recycling systems.
RSS crews installed a roofing system that is a green living roof with six inches of recycled material/styrofoam insulation, 12 inches of special “manufactured” soil, native grasses, an observation deck, and an ADA-compliant accessible ramp. Recycled materials are employed throughout the building’s construction including:
- Rebar in the concrete (95% recycled steel)
- Metal studs (99% recycled metal)
- Rubber floor tiles (100% recycled material)
- Countertops (100% recycled glass)
- Bathroom floor and wall tiles (100% recycled glass)
- Insulation made from recycled newspaper and paper
- 90% of construction-related waste has been recycled
The architecture of the building complements the surrounding environment and minimizes visual intrusion on the landscape. The facility received two awards: the Excellence in Design Award for Overall Innovation from the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing, and the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
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