Iowa State University’s King Pavilion Achieves LEED® Certification
Facility, inspired by Landscape Structures Inc., is model for sustainable design
Delano, Minn. (March 10, 2010) — Iowa State University’s first “green” building on campus, the King Pavilion, was awarded LEED® Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The facility is named for Steve King and his late wife, Barb, who both graduated from Iowa State in 1968 and founded Landscape Structures Inc., a Delano, Minn.-based commercial playground equipment manufacturer.
The Kings made a commitment of $1.5 million to the new addition because of their own commitment to green design and the environment. “Sustainable design has been part of our work for many years—our company’s mission is focused on honoring the environment,” explained King. “When Barb and I discussed our commitment to the King Pavilion, we agreed that if we became involved, we wanted it to be as green as possible.”
The King Pavilion is the first higher education building in Iowa to achieve LEED Platinum status, which is the highest rating given by the USGBC to energy-efficient and high-performing buildings. The facility exceeded LEED requirements for daylighting, water reduction and recycled content. Clerestory windows on both levels of the building as well as a light monitor helped the King Pavilion achieve 100 percent daylighting. Dual-flush toilets, automatic sink faucets and low-flow urinals reduced the amount of water consumed by 50 percent. And by using 75 percent recycled steel, recycled blue jean insulation and restroom countertops made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper, the King Pavilion was able to achieve 32 percent recycled content in the facility.
Since founding Landscape Structures in 1971, the Kings have worked to create a culture of continuous improvement that helps to constantly improve the manufacturing processes and the quality of products being produced. The company has been certified to ISO 14001:2004 for consistent and continuous environmental stewardship since 1998, and in 2004 became an employee-owned company, which gives employees a vested interest in producing high-quality, environmentally-conscious products for children and communities.
King, an American Society of Landscape Architecture Fellow, created a new type of play environment as his final project at Iowa State. After observing children at nearby playgrounds and the Child Development department on campus, he put together a concept that combined traditional playground equipment such as slides and climbers into an endless stream of connected activities, which he later termed “continuous play.” The concept of “continuous play” was the idea behind Landscape Structures and is now used in nearly all of today’s playground designs.
Landscape Structures has a long-standing history of environmental awareness. Long before it was fashionable, Landscape Structures built a culture of sustainability, designing products that keep kids active, while going far beyond what was required to protect the environment during manufacturing processes. The company received the Tekne Green Award in 2008 for its commitment to sustainability, and partners with Global ReLeaf® to plant trees, which help offset the energy used in the manufacturing process.