Griffin Structures provided program and construction management services for the delivery of the Environmental Nature Center, Orange County’s first LEED® Platinum facility. The 9,000 square-foot education center, located on a 3.5-acre site in Newport Beach, provides visitors with an educational experience through hands-on interactions.

Through the use of photovoltaic solar panels, the $12 million Center is a zero net energy facility and the first net energy producer in the Southern California Edison service area. Other sustainable features include optimized building orientation; operable windows providing natural ventilation; composite wood products as well recycled and renewable materials; drought-tolerant, indigenous landscape; bio swales and rain harvesting designs eliminating all storm water runoff; and water efficient fixtures that save an average of 15,000 gallons of potable water annually. Additionally, more than 80 percent of the project’s construction waste was recycled and diverted from landfills.

The Environmental Nature Center is a non-profit organization providing opportunities for enhancing the community’s knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the natural world.