The Green Building Initiative has announced Desert Diamond West Valley Casino in Maricopa County, Arizona, as only the second one casino within the U.S. to earn Green Globes for brand spanking new Construction Certification status. Green Globes is a nationally-recognized eco-friendly and sustainable design rating assessment and certification program.

The new 50,000 square foot casino property, that is phase I of a future resort complex, is owned and operated by the Tohono O’odham Nation, and was designed by national casino resort designers, HBG (Hnedak Bobo Group).

Treena Parvello, director of public relations and communications for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said “We are thrilled that our continuing commitment to the surroundings has earned Desert Diamond Casino a prestigious Green Globe. Having HBG as a partner in this project helped us in order for we created an area that's not only sustainable, but additionally fully functional along with complementing the world by which it was built. We couldn't be more pleased."

“Working with the Tohono O’odham Nation, Desert Diamond Casino and The golf green Building Initiative on this endeavor was very fulfilling; and our team is hooked in to integrating more sustainable features and efficiencies into the resort’s future phases,” says Rob Lee, AIA, principal at HBG and project manager for the project.

“This level of sustainability shows a commitment by the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise to the environment,” said David Eldridge, Green Globes assessor, “and it demonstrates the skills of HBG and the opposite members of the design and construction team to implement the required features as a part of the project.”

Project management processes, site location, planning, design and sustainable material selection were key drivers for the golf green Globes certification for Desert Diamond West Valley Casino.

Among among the standouts are:

• An integrated design process (IDP) – Performance goals were set and reviewed during multiple stages of construction including site design, envelope requirements, materials, energy use, water use, and overall sustainability.

• The advance area – The project was built within a half mile of a commercial zone, clear of sensitive areas, out of the flood plain and on a previously developed site. Credit was also awarded for participation within the planned development surrounding the most important entertainment and sports district at the west side of the Phoenix Metro area.

• Ecological impacts – The project included an erosion control plan, reduction of the warmth island effect, improvement of the local ecology, minimized disturbance of the location and minimized impact to natural species and habitats.

• Landscaping – Significant planning went into soil type, plant locations and the choice of drought tolerant plants which can be native to the area.

• Stormwater management – The casino design included control measures for the amount of stormwater, in addition to the right way to improve the standard of stormwater for reclamation. 

• Exterior light pollution – The lighting design included reduction of sunshine trespass (spilling over into other areas) and reduction of glare with efficient fixtures within the car parking zone. The phase I casino is planned to revert to make use of as warehouse space once the bigger casino resort experience opens. As a result of transitional nature of the phase I casino, designers used an abundance of sustainable materials, including carpeting constituted of recycled materials. Paint was used rather than the standard vinyl wall covering, and fixtures were designed to be transportable to the long run casino development.

The Green Globe certification program recognizes the commitment to environmentally efficient design, construction and operational practices and gives customized guidance within the implementation of high-performance interiors and buildings.

Read More... [Source: Gaming Industry News]