Green Buildings

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL. This nonprofit walks the walk with a building that features a Freon-free air conditioning system; formaldehyde-free carpets and ceiling tiles; countertops made of soybeans and recycled newspapers; an energy-efficient lighting system; and energy-saving computers and appliances. The features of the building help cut energy consumption by 50 percent.

Call to arrange a visit. 1200 New York Ave. NW. 202-289-6868. http://www.nrdc.org/ .

NUSTA SPA. This space proves that you don't need to sacrifice aesthetics when you go green. Wood salvaged from the oak beams of an old barn in rural Pennsylvania is used for the walls, while the spa's maple flooring is from a sustainable forest. A redesigned HVAC system removes more than three times as many particles as standard filters for superior indoor air quality. And the spa only uses biodegradable laundry detergent, nontoxic cleaning products and non-chlorine bleach. "Since we're all about health and wellness, it just made sense for the spa itself to be a healthy space," says owner Elizabeth Snowdon.

1129 20th St. NW. 202-530-5700. http://www.nustaspa.com/ .

ROBERTSON PARK YOUTH CENTER. Boasting insulation made from recycled blue jeans and floors fashioned from recycled tires and rubber, the new youth center is Gaithersburg's first public green building. Home to all kinds of sports activities, a computer-study room and a rock-climbing wall, its environmentally sensitive features include a geothermal heating and cooling system that saves energy and reduces air pollution; cabinets made from rapidly renewable wheatboard; and light sensors to control lighting and save energy. Conforming to standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council, the building also has educational signs that highlight environmentally friendly aspects and provide tips on how everyone can include green features in their homes.

801 Rabbitt Rd., Gaithersburg. 301-258-6166. http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/ .

Tips for Eco-Friendly Living

Not everyone has the luxury of hiring an architect to build an eco-chic dream home. So, what can you do to make a difference? Here are a few suggestions:

· Plant shade trees and shrubs around your house. The foliage helps keep your home cool in the summer, and lets light through in the winter when the tree branches are bare.

· Select materials that have minimal or nontoxic properties, and that don't shed dust or fiber.

· Seal gaps or cracks in your home where moisture can get in, and heat and cooling can leak out.

· Turn down the thermostat in winter months. Lowering it by just one degree can reduce heating energy costs by about 4 percent. Raise the thermostat in summer for similar savings.

· Conserve energy by purchasing major appliances with an Energy Star rating.

· Install low-flow shower heads, faucets and toilets. According to the National Building Museum, if all households used low-flow toilets, Americans would save 2.1 trillion gallons of water and $11.3 million every day.

· Buy nontoxic paints, carpet and cleaners.

S.C.