Red Cross goes green

The American Red Cross of Ventura County is renovating its Camarillo headquarters to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified with a silver certification.

According to the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED Green Building Rating System is the industryrecognized, voluntary standard that defines high performance green buildings. Green buildings are more environmentally responsible and more profitable structures.

The LEED Green Building Rating System is the national benchmark for highperformance green buildings. The rating system identifies prerequisites and choices in five categories: sustainable site planning, safeguarding water and water efficiency, energy efficiency and renewable energy, conservation of materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

"The project has set tough goals for materials reuse and construction debris recycling," said Mike Ross, LEED accredited professional and project volunteer for the American Red Cross of Ventura County.

"In addition, the team has made many smart design decisions, which will reduce energy and water consumption while minimizing environmental impact upfront and over its lifecycle."

The expansion project at the Red Cross will contain elements such as efficient water fixtures, lighting, highperformance appliances, recycledcontent construction materials and wood products from certified renewable sources.

Measures will be taken to improve indoor air quality, including the use of lowemitting materials.

Access to daylight and views will be maintained whenever possible.

Volunteers are donating their time and services to the project.

The completion of the American Red Cross Camarillo building is projected for the end of October.

For more information, call the American Red of Ventura County at (805) 987-1514.