The Landing at Southpoint, Durham, N.C., has been selected as a winner of the Triangle Business Journal 2009 Green Award. The award is given in recognition of companies that have embraced environmentally friendly and sustainable green practices and incorporated these practices into their businesses and communities.
The Landing’s design incorporates several sustainable features including a 22,000-gal FreeRain underground cistern for capturing roof water runoff for property irrigation and recharging a constructed wetland area. Initially designed to employ large underground sand filters and a wet pond, the project’s storm water management plan was later revised to incorporate the FreeRain System for rainwater harvesting.
The environmental impact of the FreeRain System has been significant, the company said, reducing the volume of the bio-retention areas by 19,100 gal or 23%, and cutting storm water management construction costs by $200,000. In addition, the FreeRain System has enabled the community to collect NC DWQ storm water quality credits and LEED points that have made The Landing the largest privately funded LEED for Homes certified project in the United States, according to FreeRain.
The Landing at Southpoint is a recent recipient of Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council under the LEED for Homes program and an Energy Star certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Situated on an 11-acre site that borders a protected waterfowl impoundment area, The Landing features 54 condominium homes, a clubroom, fitness area and pool.
