'Old Stone House' Visitor Centre

I've reformatted the final video, so it's quite a bit different from the official version submitted for the design presentation. So at last, here is a compressed unofficial promotional video of the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site Proposed Visitor Centre:



The visitor centre is designed to be a LEED building (Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design), the first of its kind in Sault Ste. Marie. The LEED system rewards building design on a points system that rates bulidings as LEED bronze, silver, gold, to platinum. Buildings are rewarded for meeting 'green' qualifications like maximum parking spaces, number of bike racks, percentage of renewable materials, use of local materials, geothermal heating etc. LEED has been a debatable system of evaluation since its formation, but a very good intention. I won't get in to it here.

For Sault Ste. Marie, this is a great step towards cleaner buildings and a more energy-conscious community. The Soo is already moving towards the three primary renewable energy sources: hydro, wind, and soon a solar collection field, but we sorely lack efficient buildings, under a hazy plume of steel-plant emissions. Having these energy sources is the envy of many northern cities, international cities. It would truly be a great transformation for a northern steel town to be a 'green' city. Who knows, maybe it would actually attract people to want to live in the Soo, countering its horrendous youth drain. Maybe our neighbourly glow-in-the-dark Sudburians might move in.

Back to the animation, you enter into the main foyer, with skylight above, providing passive solar heating, enter the 1812 Gallery, a tribute to the history of the War of 1812 in the Sault area. The theatre, across from the gallery seats 50 people. Leaving the theatre, visitors enter the site to visit the Heritage buildings which will have existing displays, bannock baking, activities etc. Re-enter the visitor centre through the gift shop.

There is no green roof, but don't despair. The roof will harvest rainwater and internally service the building. Solar panels on the roof. The building uses as much wood as possible, the most efficient renewable material available.

Would love to hear your comments.