The Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas has received LEED Silver. As the fifth convention center in the nation to receive the distinction, the Irving Convention Center boasts sustainable water, lighting, and material use.
Made of unfinished copper, the façade’s natural material is left untreated to provide a dramatic aesthetic over time. With no chemical treatments or paint on the finish, fewer chemicals are needed for building maintenance. The perforated pattern created by the copper panels also increases the flow of air and reduces the need for air-conditioning.
Built as a vertical stack, the building shades itself and its outdoor patios on a small space. An integrated parking garage-another method to reduce solar impact-reduces the amount of asphalt required for surface lots. A light-colored roof helps reflect heat. The Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas’ vertical build also allows for flow between event spaces.
The center’s three main levels-including a 50,000-square-foot exhibition hall-offer several green rooms in a flexible area. The meeting and junior ballroom’s 20,000 feet of space contains 20 breakout rooms of about 1,000 square feet each. Many of the materials used in the interior are constructed of either recycled or locally sourced materials.
Nearby Lake Carolyn provides more than 90 percent of the building’s water requirements for landscaping and non-potable applications, including the cooling systems. The plaza’s tree canopy reduces the ambient temperature, while drought-resistant native plants in the landscaping reduce water use. After use, the water is gently re-treated on site and returned to the lake.
A green energy plan provided by TXU provides for the building’s energy efficiency, as the center buys back Texas-made 100 percent Green-e Certified Renewable Energy. Building operations and management aim to purchase sustainably raised and locally reduced products. The Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas’ low-impact aim also includes the use of non-petroleum based products, recycling, and composting all waste whenever possible.
