The new Affirmations Community Center may be trying to fit in with its surroundings in downtown Ferndale, but it can't help but stand out as one of Metro Detroit's greenest buildings.
The three-story structure, 290 W. 9 Mile Road, is going for LEED silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Affirmations, named to affirm lesbian, gay and transgender people's standing as members of everyday society, is the largest gay and lesbian organization in Michigan.
Affirmations officials hope the new structure will serve as a gay-friendly gathering place outside of the stereotypical gay bar and a sanctuary for people dealing with LGTB issues. 
They also hope the 18,000-square-foot building will serve as a leading example of what builders can do with green technology, techniques and materials. First, the builders used as much of the old structure (an old retail store) as possible, including the floor, walls and some of the footings.
"We reused what we could as much as possible," says Kathleen LaTosch, communications director for Affirmations. "Not only was it part of our environmental consciousness, but it also helped save costs. When we left a wall we didn't have to pay to put a new wall in."
The building also uses skylights and windows heavily to maximize natural light. Many of the structure's skylights shine through the second floor ceiling all the way to the basement. On a sunny day, the skylights provide enough light to allow people to use the center without turning on lights. Motion sensors in certain rooms, such as conference rooms, help keep energy costs down by only providing light when needed.
The bathrooms also make use of sensors in the sinks to cut down on unnecessary water usage. Low-flow toilets and waterless urinals are also employed to further reduce wasted water.
The carpet, furniture and wood used for the second-story deck are all made of recycled materials. Affirmations officials also made sure that what materials from the demolition of the old building could be recycled were. Numerous recycling containers are also located throughout the structure.
"The idea is to change the culture of trash," LaTosch says.
The building also has a number of normal amenities, such as an art gallery (in the entrance atrium), cyber café, community center, GLTB library, offices and meeting space. A two-story mural also graces the library portion. A column of the mural is dedicated to a timeline of GLTB history in Metro Detroit, ranging from the first out lesbian in Detroit (Ruth Ellis in 1899) to the opening of the center this year.
Source: Kathleen LaTosch, communications director for Affirmations
Writer: Jon Zemke
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