Sands Parking Garage
The Sands Parking Garage is the nation’s first single-use, stand-alone LEED certified parking facility. The design, which has allowed the garage to be 50 percent more energy efficient than Duke’s existing garages, was also cost-neutral compared to traditional parking structure projects. The garage contains 1,920 parking spaces and opened in early 2010.
View the Sands Parking Garage's LEED Scorecard
Sustainable Site Features
The location of the Sands Parking Garage replaced an existing surface parking lot, which enabled Duke to retain green space in the vicinity.
Water Efficiency
The building features two, 10,000-gallon cisterns to collect rainwater for landscaping and rain gardens to filter excess storm water and slow its reintroduction into Durham’s storm water system.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficient LED lighting is used throughout the garage, in additional to “daylight harvesting” technology. Green trellises and walls are used to reduce the “heat island” effect of the building. Overhead canopies where plants can grow are used to provide shade on the roof of the building.
Resource Management
Recycled building materials were used during construction of the Sands Parking Garage.
Integration of Sustainability in Design & Construction Process
The building's architects used a mix of sustainable design elements and new methodologies to design a garage that could qualify for LEED status. The building features additional sustainable design elements, such as preferred parking for low-emission, fuel-efficient and carpool vehicles and an operations and payment system that reduces idling and excessive driving when entering, exiting and searching for a parking spot.