Natural Resources Defense Council.When the NRDC NRDC Natural Resources Defense Council NRDC National Research and Development Centre (Institute of Education, London) NRDC National Realty & Development Corp. was planning its regional office in Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. , the environmental group built to the highest standards possible--a Platinum LEED certification. The building's water system uses drinkable water only where necessary; not for toilets or for watering plants. And the NRDC keeps demand on the water supply system low by reclaiming wastewater from showers and sinks, which is then used for landscaping and toilets. Low-flow plumbing fixtures use 60 percent less water to operate than conventional fixtures. The building was designed to let natural sunlight pass into hallways and inner offices, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Operable operable /op·er·a·ble/ (op´er-ah-b'l) subject to being operated upon with a reasonable degree of safety; appropriate for surgical removal. op·er·a·ble adj. windows meet most cooling and fresh air needs. When the staff needs air conditioning air conditioning, mechanical process for controlling the humidity, temperature, cleanliness, and circulation of air in buildings and rooms. Indoor air is conditioned and regulated to maintain the temperature-humidity ratio that is most comfortable and healthful. , the building has a high-efficiency system that uses displacement ventilation to focus cool air where it is needed. Rooftop solar panels produce 20 percent of the building's electricity. The rest of the electricity comes only from renewable sources. More than 60 percent of the wood and lumber products used in the building are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization based in Bonn, Germany. The Council's stated mission is "to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests". . [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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