Architects Recognize Greening of The Barn at Fallingwater

The American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (COTE) has selected WPC’s Barn at Fallingwater as one of the top 10 green projects from around the globe for 2005. The honor is based on the project’s relation to land use, its site ecology, connection to community, water use, energy performance, materials and construction.

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s renovation of the former Kaufmann dairy barn into an interpretive and educational facility as well as office, meeting and exhibit space emphasized environmentally friendly design, technology and materials. Among the facility’s many innovative features are its geothermal wells that tap the Earth’s constant 50-degree temperature, yielding a renewable alternative to fossil fuels for heating and cooling. Sound absorptive panels made from sunflower seed and natural straw compliment the rustic barn setting, while paralaminate beams made from rapidly growing young trees were laminated for increased strength. In addition, red cedar paneling and glass blocks from an earlier renovation were re-used in the project, and hardwood floors were installed using recycled maple flooring from a school gym.

For more information on renting space for a special event or meeting at The Barn at Fallingwater, contact Jennifer Sisley at 724-329-1441 x1019 or via email at jsisley@paconserve.org.

Read the July 15 announcement from The Chicago Athenaem: Museum of Architecture and Design naming the Barn at Fallingwater as a recipient of its 2005 American Architecture Award.

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