Presentation Center, a ministry of the Sisters of the Presentation, is an interfaith retreat and conference center located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. In keeping with the Center’s commitment to environmental justice and education, a new LEED Gold certified Welcoming Center and Dining Facility was completed in 2005. The building was designed to utilize the least energy-intensive, most passive technology whenever possible, resulting in a building that performs 47% better than the California Title 24.
Over 1,000 rice straw bales combined with light post and beam construction comprise the exterior walls. Interior wall insulation is made of 85% recycled blue jeans, bathroom tiles are 55% recycled glass, bathroom counters are made of recycled plastic containers and the dining room ceiling is 70% recycled newspapers and cardboard. Three types of solar energy are used; passive solar, photovoltaic cells on the roof and solar hot water collectors. The Center also features unique applications of sustainable energy technology such as the evacuated tube solar thermal system which provides hot water for the commercial kitchen, while simultaneously acting as a sunshade to keep the building cool in summer.
The building also has a 3,400 square foot living roof which absorbs rainwater and directs excess water into a series of swales which are planted with native species to further increase water absorption. All swales make their way back to the existing on-site pond, which in turn is used to provide irrigation water for the living roof and other landscaping features.
The Sisters of the Presentation have actively used the Welcoming Center as a teaching tool, reaching out to give tours and educate architects, landscape designers, students, nonprofits, and all visitors to the Center.
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