Milwaukee County Zoo Karen Peck Katz Conservation Education Center
Milwaukee, WisconsinThe 30,000 SF Conservation Education Center for the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County is designed with a sensitivity to sustainability, using local and natural materials throughout the building. Certain materials were chosen for their sustainable aspects, such as cork/synthetic rubber composite floors and recycled fiber carpet tile. We Energies and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District (MMSD) supplied grants that allowed for the construction of the Education Center's "green roof" - the fourth in the City of Milwaukee. The plants, maintained by Zoo horticulturists, soak up excess runoff and protect sewers from clogging, which can lead to untreated sewage discharge. Other sustainable components include: Well-daylit spaces, operable windows, energy-efficient lighting controls, and a large overhang and sun shades that decrease solar gain.