Ada County regards Tours as an opportunity to educate people about high-performance, sustainable buildings.
Tours show visitors first-hand, the technologies and features of a particular building that make it more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly. We give tours to many types of people including architects, engineers, designers, charter schools, school district personnel, and people from government agencies or other local businesses.
Tours of the facilities can be arranged by contacting the Operations Department at (208) 287-7100.
Barber Park’s new Administrative Office and Rental Building is a great tour for people interested in sustainable construction. Many of the materials used in the building’s construction are natural products and/or have recycled content such as a stucco exterior, wheatboard cabinetry, and carpet floor tiles. The facility has an energy-efficient evaporative cooling system and operable windows. The highlight of this tour is the green roof on the north side and the 11 KW photovoltaic system on the south side. An enclosed stairway was built as part of the project to allow people to view the roof projects. This project earned a LEED certification in 2006.
Tours can be arranged by contacting the Operations Department at (208) 287-7100.
The Courthouse tour includes exterior elements such as the stormwater drainage system and the exterior maintenance program that helped it to earn a LEED silver certification. Inside, we point out seemingly insignificant items such as the floor mats and explain how they are actually a part of our indoor air quality program by reducing particulates brought into the building. A highlight of this building is the geothermal heating system because it is an uncommon form of renewable energy that is unique to select downtown Boise businesses and residences. This tour can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the needs of the group.
Tours can be arranged by contacting the Operations Department at (208) 287-7100
The Ada County Paramedics Department has LEED-certified response stations located in Meridian and Star. The facilities were specifically designed and tailored to support ACP’s mission to provide an innovative, effective, and efficient Medical Services System to safeguard and enhance the health and quality of life of those we serve. The stations are much like a typical residence with sleeping quarters, a kitchen and dayroom to accommodate the paramedics while they are on-shift, along with specialized areas for report writing and ambulance storage.
Tours of the following facilities can be arranged by contacting the Operations Department at (208) 287-7100.
The completion of the new Weed, Pest, and Mosquito Abatement Facility in 2007 has provided County Officials the opportunity to demonstrate how a sustainable high-performance building can support and even enhance the County’s efforts to protect the land and its natural resources. The County’s “Abatement Program” has unique goals and objectives that require efficient facilities, that are easy to operate, and are environmentally friendly, together they form the Department’s Educational Outreach Program. The education program is intended to inform employees, visitors, and concerned citizens about the entire facility and the important services it provides. It includes a look at unique features including a wastewater recovery and recycling system. This facility received silver LEED certification from the US Green Building Council.
Tours can be arranged by contacting the Operations Department at (208) 287-7100.