2024 USGBC-CA Green Building Awards
Honor in Environmental Justice
The Hilda L. Solis Environment Justice Center (EJC) at Puente Hills Landfill Park is the first phase of an ambitious project to transform what was once the second largest landfill in the U.S into LA's first new regional park in 30 years. Sited in a park-poor part of LA County that had to live with the negative impacts of the landfill, every aspect of this center will focus on empowering advocacy for equity, sustainability, and resilience. The entire design is a learning tool for best practices in:
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Net Zero Operational Energy with all electric project +on-site PVs providing 105% of the modeled energy consumption for maximum occupancy
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>50% reduction of embodied carbon thru a combination of Mass Timber, Low Carbon CMU, Green Concrete, recycled and salvaged materials
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Healthy building design with daylighting, natural ventilation, indoor/outdoor connectivity, selection of Red List free and biophilic materials
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Water Conservation with reclaimed water used for toilet flushing and irrigation + low flow fixtures
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Habitat restoration with native plants + bird safe glass that will support native species and introduce the community to nature
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Equity & Environmental Justice creating a community asset in this “Park for All” overlayed on the closed landfill with a new bus route to enhance access, the park, bicycle lanes, horse paths and limited parking for cars and rideshare.
More than just a Visitor's Center; the Hilda L. Solis EJC is a change agent! Combining the best of a highly interactive museum with an active learning center, will enhance the experience of all visitors - human (young and old of all abilities) and wildlife from rescued raptors to pollinators of native plants. It tells every visitor that they are valued and encourages them to become the next generation of environmental activists. We can’t wait to early fall 2026 to watch the joy of community members – young and old - learning from both the history of place and the best of sustainable innovation, enjoying using this special place to imagine and fight for a sustainable, equitable future.
While this Awards Program recognizes unique areas of sustainable innovation, this project really illustrates the power of integrated design thinking to address all aspects of sustainability concurrently within a responsible project budget and on a tight schedule.