The Trapps Gateway Center for the Mohonk Preserve, Gardiner, NY, designed by Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership, is an exemplary role model for building Green. Serving as an educational tool and expression of the Preserve's mission of land stewardship and education, the 9,200 sq ft building is the visitor center for the Preserve's 6,000 acres. Trees were cut from the site to become structural posts, walls are built from native conglomerate stone, the lower level is set into the hillside and a geothermal heat pump system serves as sole source of heating and cooling.

Appropriate windows were therefore critical for both energy efficiency and withstanding 80 mph winds, Wood windows clad in evergreen-colored extruded aluminum have argon-filled low-E insulating glass. The interior wood was left unpainted to keep the building's look congruent with its natural surroundings. A full-height glass wall which presents a view of the bird habitat was reinforced by adding horizontal and vertical tube steel members (3 inch x 4 inch x 5/16 inch) that could withstand both the window load and 1,000 lbs of end load from the weight and projection of the windows over the mountainside. Since LEED credits can be earned by using regionally produced building products (within 500 miles of the project site) some architects weigh the option of having windows manufactured locally. But more important, says Paul S. Alter, AIA, who was managing partner for the project, is selecting a window manufacturer who delivers a good product with fine detailing, different options, meets budgetary considerations and who will support you in providing what you need.