Construction has begun on NK Architects’ design for a new Landscape and Horticultural Technology building at the County College of Morris, located in Randolph, NJ. The building is part of the College’s efforts to support and enhance its nationally-recognized Landscape and Horticulture program for a growing population of students interested in green technology. The new 7,200-square-foot facility will house two horticulture exploration classrooms, a drafting room, computer classroom, conference room, and offices.

NK designed the facility to meet, at a minimum, USGBC LEED Silver standards. Scheduled to open in early 2011, the building reflects the LHT program’s commitment to conserving natural resources through sustainable landscape design and management. The building incorporates a number of sustainable features, many of which directly support the program’s curriculum, including a geothermal heating/cooling system, extensive use of recycled and sustainable materials, a vegetated roof, rainwater harvesting system, photovoltaic panels, and maximized use of natural daylighting.