Gwinnett's Environmental and Heritage Center

Metro Atlanta

When Gwinnett County decided to construct a green building for its environmental center, the roofers took it literally: They spread plants that sprout from the roof of Gwinnett's Environmental and Heritage Center near Buford. Putting plants on the roof is one of the many environment- friendly features that has made the building the first in Gwinnett County to receive recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council under its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. The council recognizes buildings friendly to the environment by conferring LEED status, a designation that is increasingly coveted in Gwinnett and around the nation.

The pavement at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford looks like typical asphalt, but it's not; it's a special asphalt that is pervious to water. That is, it allows water to drain down through it to be absorbed by the ground directly underneath it instead of running off into a storm drain.

Silviu Gavriliuc, operations trades manager at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, walks on the slightly-less-than one-acre rooftop. The Buford facility will eventually be covered with vegetation, mostly a ground-cover called sedum. Sedum will be covered with pink flowers. The plants were installed this year and the current drought has affected their growth, but once they are established, the succulent plants will tolerate heat and dryness.

Silviu Gavriliuc, Operations Trades Manager at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, shows a groundcover called sedum that will eventually cover the nearly one acre of rooftop at the facility.

The wall behind Sheila Fowler is made of pieces of granite headstones that were either never used or had engraving mistakes. All of the engraving faces inward so it isn't visible.

Closeup of a ground cover of a variety of a succulent plant called sedum, which will eventually cover the nearly one acre area of rooftop at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford. It blooms small hot pink flowers and is heat and drought tolerant once established.

And in case you were wondering where it is, here's the location.

Catherine Long, program coordinator for the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center, waters the newly planted prize winning garden.

Education Program Supervisor Catherine Long simulates wind with the "Go with the flow, " portion of the Discover H2O exhibit.

An activity center is shown in the portion of the Discover H2O exhibit.

Angela Haun of Winder spins the wheel to scoop up water and watch how it flows

The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center is shown with recycled water running through the middle.

Buster Brown shows visitors video clips of how hawks and falcons hunt for their prey during The Georgia Falconry Association activity day.

A manikin shows a boy getting water out of a well in the 1818 - 1900 portion of the water ways exhibit.

Science with Santa festivities at the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center's mascot GwinnAnt posed with kids.

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The pavement at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford looks like typical asphalt, but it's not; it's a special asphalt that is pervious to water. That is, it allows water to drain down through it to be absorbed by the ground directly underneath it instead of running off into a storm drain.

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