Location
Longmont, Colorado

Client
Boulder County

Scope of Work
Landscape Architecture

Project Status
Complete

Project Team
OZ Architecture

st. vrain community hub

St. Vrain Community Hub, located in downtown Longmont, houses all of Boulder County’s health and human services in one, centralized location. The design of the site combined more than ten social service programs into one integrated campus. The building is the first LEED Platinum Certified, a status given by the U.S. Green Building Council, in Longmont. LEED Platinum is a designation given to buildings that achieve the highest rating for creating green buildings that are innovative, resource efficient, and environmentally sustainable.

In collaboration with OZ Architecture, PCS Group assisted in attaining the LEED Platinum certification by including several sustainable design features. A demonstration garden featuring native Colorado and regional plants has been included in the pocket park on the south portion of the site. The xeric plant selections and drip irrigation contribute to 67% reduction in water use for landscaping. Additionally, pedestrianization of the alley behind the building and use of brick pavers increase water permeability and decrease storm runoff. Further, to decrease solar gain on hardscape surfaces, large canopy trees and shade sails were utilized in the alley and parking areas.