Not only is the Capitol Visitor Center a center of information about the Capitol, it is also an environmentally friendly structure.

Throughout the CVC’s six-year construction, the Architect of the Capitol has made sure to incorporate many green features to limit the massive building’s carbon footprint.

For instance, the structure itself is deemed a redevelopment of an urban site because it was constructed under an existing parking lot and therefore did not create more hard surfaces. A storm management system was also incorporated into the structure to limit the impact of runoff into the city’s sewer system.

The building includes other green features such as:

• Six skylights that provide both natural light and views of the Capitol Dome

• Slow-flow bathroom fixtures and automatic-flush faucets and toilets

• Automatic lights that dim or turn off when there is no movement

• A 50 percent recycling rate for construction waste from the renovation

• 85 new trees planted to replace those that were removed to make way for construction