The Water + Life Museums complex in Hemet, California, has just become the first museum to break the LEED Platinum barrier. The building constructed by LA based Michael Lehrer Architects is worth $40 million and is 72,000 square feet big. Situated in the desert the building brought some challenges going from freezing in the winter to more than 100 degrees in the summer but the architects were able to keep a light footprint.

The roof is topped with one of the largest solar installations of its kind, a 540 watt, 3000 panel solar array that produces nearly half of the complex’s power needs while shading the interior from the scorching desert sun. Additional shading is provided via translucent panels that hang over 8,000 square feet of the structure’s heat blocking glass. The interior makes use of abundant day-lighting and features radiant flooring backed by a sophisticated HVAC system. The terraced gardens are fed through a drip irrigation system that uses reclaimed water. Lehrer stated “We are gratified to receive the Platinum rating, but even more proud that the Water+Life Museums will effectively conserve water and electricity for generations to come.”

Via: InHabitat