A Living Building

Early in our process to find a home, the Community Foundation made a key decision: Whether we renovate or build, we will set an example of environmental stewardship.

To that end, our goal is to create a structure that is LEED-certified. LEED is an accreditation process designed by the U.S. Green Building Council, which honors the construction of buildings that are healthier for the environment and for the people who live and work in them. These structures are referred to as “green” buildings.

When completed, the Community Foundation Headquarters and Community Conference Center will be the most energy efficient, low-water utilization building in the region. This in turn lowers the Community Foundation’s operating costs, allowing more dollars to flow to charitable purposes in the community.

The building will feature “green” elements that are economically defensible and readily understandable. An education and outreach plan has been developed so that visitors (including school groups) will learn about green building technology.  Volunteer docents will provide regularly scheduled tours of the building. Based on interest in other green buildings around the United States, we anticipate having 3,000 to 4,000 visitors per year, supporting the planned revitalization of the Penn Street corridor by generating additional foot traffic nearby.

Finally, a key goal of the project is to spark a green building movement in the community. To that end, we’ve assembled a design and construction team that pairs some of the country’s most noted green-building experts with local architects and construction managers, thereby ensuring that long after the last brick is placed on this building, the expertise to construct environmentally friendly structures will be available in Berks County.

The new building will facilitate The Community  Foundation’s goal of building a stronger, more vibrant region.   By providing space and support to connect people resources and ideas, the foundation accomplishes many goals at once. The building is designed to serve as a source of community pride and a center of community activity for decades to come.

Click on a link below to learn more:

A Permanent Place
A Good Location
One Building: Three Unique Spaces
A Living Building
Frequently Asked Questions
The Design Team
What Makes it "Green"?
What Can I Do At Home?