After years of renting, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a prominent land conservation organization, determined it was time for a more permanent base on Mount Desert Island. NOD was selected as CM early in the design process and was instrumental in molding the diverse interests of MCHT’s Board and Membership into a building that exceeded expectations. In order to maintain schedule, NOD utilized a fast-track, design-during-construction approach. Unique building elements include a hybrid steel/wood structure for the barrel roof, cold-climate heat pumps, sun tubes for daylighting, bio swales to control storm water and a six kilowatt solar array. Challenges: 1) Design continued to evolve during construction. 2) Decision to “Go LEED” made after design 3) development was well underway. *Certified LEED Gold