NOLS International Headquarters
284 Lincoln St
Lander, WY 82520
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The international headquarters of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), located in Lander, Wyoming, was designed with principles of sustainability and community in mind.
Lander, Wyoming is situated on the eastern slopes of the Wind River Mountains and has a population of around 6,000. When evaluating where to build its new headquarters, NOLS considered relocating outside Lander to a more rural site. Ultimately, however, NOLS decided that the most socially conscious decision would be to leave the open space outside of town untouched and to continue making a strong social and economic contribution to Lander and its inhabitants by remaining in town.
Completed in 2001, NOLS Headquarters is the result of a collaborative process between the architects, the community, and NOLS employees. The building needed to respond to the neighborhood, the city, the natural environment of the Wind River Mountains and foothills, and the unique character of the people who make up the organization of NOLS. Schemes were eliminated or adapted based on how well the image conveyed a sense of frugality, humility, community, worldliness, common sense, and responsibility to the environment.
The 52,520-square-foot NOLS Headquarters is U-shaped with a simple square entry courtyard. The two wings are narrow and have tall ceilings to maximize the use of natural light. Over 95 percent of employees receive natural light. Private offices and meeting rooms line the outside of the two wings, and open workstations lie on the inside, reducing the overall square footage by 6,000 square feet. Private offices and meeting rooms have either transparent or translucent glass doors and panels or no separators, allowing light to be shared between the two areas but also providing privacy where needed. Exterior and interior sun visors provide shading and reflect light farther into the building.
The tent-shaped central room provides a gathering place for staff and alumni visiting the building. A green space in the middle of the courtyard provides an outdoor gathering place and is used for orientation meetings with new students. The iconic leaf-shaped canopy atop the building provides protection for the staircase and shading for the roof garden, and today is a symbol of the school?s goals of sustainability.
To the extent possible, NOLS utilized local contractors and materials for the project, not only to support the local economy, but also to reduce the need for excess transportation of materials and services. Ninety percent of materials were sourced within 500 miles of Lander, Wyoming. NOLS also sourced the materials from manufacturers that adopt low-waste, energy-efficient practices.
Materials were selected to be low maintenance, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. The ceiling tiles, carpet, and conference tables at NOLS Headquarters are all made from recycled materials. The staff kitchen and mailroom flooring is made from recycled tires, while the conference tables are made with an environmentally friendly biocomposite of corn stalks, soy beans, and newspapers. Paints and other materials are low-volatile organic compound (VOC) and water-based, and in some areas, NOLS eliminated the need for any chemical finishes by adopting more unique designs (for example, tectum ceilings).
Energy efficiency at NOLS Headquarters is achieved in many ways. Large windows and thoughtful shading provide a passive solar gain. Insulation with such large windows is maintained through low e-rated glass and a closed HVAC system, and the building?s orientation captures the greatest amount of sunlight to help light and warm the building. To save energy, the lighting in the building is designed to dim as natural light increases. Lights in bathrooms are also on motion detectors. All bathrooms at NOLS Headquarters are equipped with low-flush toilets that have dual-function flushes.
To support alternative transportation options, as well as promote a healthy lifestyle for NOLS employees, bike racks were installed outside the building and in a more secure location inside the building, and locker rooms with showers and changing facilities are in the basement of the building.
Overall, the building is designed to last 100 years or more, age gracefully, and allow for the future expansion in the school?s personnel with little to no physical growing pains.
Communications:
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Testimonial:
?The International Headquarters speaks volumes about NOLS and our values. Solid leadership, community involvement, and environmental ethics can be seen in every nook and cranny of this building.?
-- Bruce Palmer, Admission and Marketing Director, NOLSPlease note: Narrative information in this profile has been provided by NOLS or a representative of this facility. Other building information was verified and submitted to EPA at the time of application. Building energy performance, operating characteristics, and ownership/management may be subject to change over time.
Building Owner:*
NOLS
Property Manager:*
NOLS
Year(s) Labeled (Rating):
2011 (78)
Facility Type: Office
Total Floorspace: 51520 sf
Year Constructed: 2001
Contract Type: None
Technologies Used:
| Stage 1-Recommissioning |
| Stage 2-Lighting |
| Other Technologies/Strategies |