Terminal B was designed to meet LEED requirements. One requirement is to use materials and finishes that have recycled content or are harvested locally. Over 50% of wood used in building Terminal B was Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified. Construction waste was reused where possible an overall 90% of scrap waste was recycled including concrete, wood, metal, sheetrock, cardboard, plastic. The demolished apron (the area where aircraft are parked and boarded) was able to be reused in the new apron as a crushed rock base.
Other Recycled Materials Used During Construction:
- Structural steel 80%
- Carpet 35%
- Ceramic Tile 45%
Building material choices are important in sustainable design. A product’s life has environmental impacts associated with each of the various lifecycle stages including extraction, harvest, processing, manufacturing, transportation, use, maintenance, and disposal. Using recycled and salvaged materials can help conserve natural resources while simultaneously reducing landfill waste. Using regionally produced materials helps support local industries and reduces the need for transportation. Using rapidly renewable materials minimizes natural resource consumption because materials in this class have a shorter harvest cycle than typical materials. Using certified wood ensures proper stewardship of forests and related ecosystems.
Building techniques to help conserve energy were implemented as well to lighten our impact. Material used on the new building is white with a high solar reflectance index. It reduces the heat island effect of the large building which will bring ambient temperature down around the terminal area. Another added benefit is energy efficiency by keeping the building cooler and therefore reducing the use of air conditioning on hot days. Our design uses our abundant windows to bring the outside in. The walls of windows provide more comfort for occupants and connection with the outdoors. We save energy by using natural lighting instead of electric lighting throughout the daylight hours.