Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite and its new Ascent Spa have earned LEED Silver certification in California following an expansion of the property. Delaware North, the resort’s owner, implemented a series of environmentally friendly initiatives throughout construction and operations:
- Based on similar buildings, the Tenaya Lodge spa and conference expansion reduced its water consumption by 40 percent. This was accomplished by using low-flow water closets, low-flow urinals, and ultra-low-flow sink faucets.
- The spa reduced its air conditioning energy consumption 15 percent compared to a typical space. The conference center addition is designed to reduce its total energy consumption 14 percent below the national standard. These facilities also use Energy Star equipment to minimize electricity consumption.
- Indoor air quality is achieved through non-VOC paints and low-VOC carpet glue, sealants, and caulking. None of the adhesives, sealants, and paints used in the expansion emit harmful fumes. Extra effort was made to keep ducts closed while installing the HVAC system. This strategy kept the ducts clean and stopped the filter from recycling dirt and dust.
- Many of the materials used to construct the Tenaya Lodge spa and conference center contain recycled content. More than 20 percent of the materials in the building are recycled, including the original office furniture. The majority of the wood used for the Tenaya Lodge spa and conference center was certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and is formaldehyde-free. Wool carpet was used to provide a natural material. Locally sourced materials were used as often as possible.
- Nearly 90 percent of construction debris was recycled and diverted from the landfill.
Layton Construction Company and architect Peter Grove of Collaborative Design Studio oversaw the lodge’s expansion.
