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WENTWORTH -- Out of the red clay earth surrounding the heart of Rockingham County government is rising perhaps the greenest building of its kind in the Southeast.

The county's new judicial center is designed to use less energy, incorporate significant amounts of recycled materials and generally be as efficient as possible.

The 170,000-square-foot complex will include a three-story courthouse, a 228-bed jail, and space for the sheriff's office, but the benefits go beyond the much-needed new space.

In technical terms, it's on track to be the first LEED-certified -- an acronym that stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design -- judicial center in the region. Local officials say it could serve as a model for other counties.

While building to those specifications costs more initially, it saves in the long run, said Michael Smith, the county's facilities projects manager.

"It's not about tree hugging, it's about energy conservation," he said. "There's real savings to be made."

The general estimate is that building that way adds about 2 percent to the construction budget. In this case, the total project cost is about $44 million.

But extra costs will be recouped quickly, with savings likely in the tens of thousands of dollars annually, he said.

"There would be payback in three to five years in energy savings," he said. "It will be substantial."

Amelia Dallas, chairwoman of the county's Board of Commissioners, said it makes sense to think about efficiency and similar goals in construction.

The project's potential LEED certification is a point of pride, she said.

"We're excited about that," she said. "People hopefully will follow our lead and do more of these types of things. Maybe we can set the precedent for other counties to follow."

Specifically, the project includes a number of features aimed at making it more efficient, such as:

• Pumps and fans with variable speeds that slow along with demand.
• Insulated ductwork and coated glass designed to keep out heat.
• A white roof, to reflect rather than absorb heat.

It also will containe recycled materials, including concrete and steel, and project managers are using as many local suppliers as possible.

Inside, environmentally friendly paint will be used, and outside, cisterns will collect water that will be used for irrigation.

Although some of the features involve new technology, the idea of efficient buildings is hardly new.

Before the days of cheap, plentiful energy, when heat meant chopping wood and air conditioning meant opening a window, building design was critical, Smith notes.

Structures were sited with an eye to catching as much winter sun and summer shade as possible, imperatives that faded in the last century as energy became cheaper.

Now, the tables are turning again, with energy prices on the rise and a rising awareness of the limited nature of some energy sources.

Both the federal and state governments are focusing on efficient buildings, Smith said. That's certainly going to be a part of future county buildings as well.

"All our future buildings under my watch are being designed with sustainability in mind," he said.

But the issue isn't only dollars and cents, Smith said.

"I think it's gone beyond just the energy costs," he said. "I think the general consciousness across the country has been raised that energy sources are finite, and we are depleting them, and there's a general responsibility to conserve where possible."

The project, which is being constructed next to the county's existing jail annex, is scheduled to be complete by summer 2010. Once the facility opens, data will be gathered on energy savings, and the formal LEED certification can occur.

As for the existing 100-plus-year-old courthouse, the county is studying potential uses, which include office space and a museum.

Contact Jason Hardin at 373-7021 or at jason.hardin@news-record.com