Integration of Building into Nature for the Valles Caldera National Preserve Visitor Center

Valles Caldera National Preserve, located in northern New Mexico, has an opportunity to implement sustainable design concepts while demonstrating long-term financial sustainability in the design of its new visitor center. This building can be designed to use natural systems to provide energy and water, and to blend in with the setting‰Ûªs unique historical and natural landscape. Structures can be integrated into nature by incorporating common techniques, features, and materials of a particular period, area, or people. This analysis identified capital costs for both traditional and sustainable construction techniques, as well as long-term operational costs. The results demonstrate that capital costs of sustainable design that is integrated into the landscape can be comparable to conventional costs and provide long-term operational costs savings.

Assessment of Natural and Manmade Materials in US Artificial Reef Programs

Natural coral reefs are in a state of serious decline worldwide. The pressures of over fishing, recreational activities, environmental pollutants, and global warming have stressed these marine ecosystems to the breaking point. One of the oldest methods of augmenting natural reef systems is the implementation of artificial reefs. These projects are not as simple as dumping waste or scrap materials in offshore areas. Proper material selection is vital to produce a healthy artificial marine habitat that is completed on schedule and on budget. This Capstone Project will evaluate the most commonly used materials and provide a comparison of their strengths and weaknesses. This comparison provides a valuable tool for project managers as they begin the reef planning process.