Cascade Meadow Wetlands & Environmental Science Center

A LEED® Platinum Environmental Science Center installs SageGlass® to inspire and educate future generations of architects and engineers.

The Cascade Meadow Wetlands & Environmental Science Center is using dynamic SageGlass to achieve its sustainability goals while educating students and the community on cutting-edge green building technologies. This 16,000-square-foot nonprofit facility is a model of state-of-the-art sustainable design, built to demonstrate practical ways to conserve energy, water and the environment through hands-on interactive exhibits. In addition to its functional appeal as a window glazing, SageGlass is being used to showcase the latest in dynamic solar technologies, as an exhibit piece demonstrating ways to control building solar heat gain while preserving unencumbered views of the natural surroundings.

During the design process, extensive energy modeling was used to help make decisions about building systems and materials. Design teams often considered multiple issues, including costs, occupant health and energy efficiency.

A side-by-side demonstration incorporates SageGlass to compare different approaches to passive solar control, sparking the imaginations of students, teachers, builders, architects and business leaders.

Cascade Meadow was among the earliest LEED® Platinum certified facilities in Minnesota, which is the highest certification granted by the U.S. Green Building Council.