PA R T T W O

CHAPTER SIX

The AIA/COTE
Top Ten Green
Projects Program

I n 1997 American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (AIA/

COTE) instituted the AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects program, in partnership
with the U.S. Department of Energy, in 1997 to recognize and commend the best
exemplars of green and sustainable design. The AIA/COTE announces the winners
annually on Earth Day, and recognizes the projects and the architects annually at the
AIA National Convention and Expo. To learn more about the awards program, visit
http://www.aiatopten.org or http://www.aia.org/cote.
The winning projects address significant environmental challenges with designs
that integrate architecture, technology, and natural systems. They provide positive
contributions to their communities, improve comfort for building occupants, and
reduce environmental impacts through strategies such as reuse of existing struc-
tures, connection to transit systems, low-impact site development, energy and water
conservation, use of green construction materials, and design that improves indoor
air quality.
The range of building types and sizes of projects among the submissions to the
Top Ten program in the past decade have varied greatly. Architects and other design
professionals are beginning to address sustainability in increasingly sophisticated and
effective design solutions. Whether reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate
climate change, reducing peak energy loads to lessen demand on the power grid,
using stormwater on site to eliminate runoff, conserving building water, or preserv-
ing wetlands, these buildings also promise to enhance the level of comfort and
amenity for the people who inhabit them.
130 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

This portion of the book, developed in cooperation with the AIA, presents the
Chairs of AIA/COTE
winners from the program’s inception through 2006 in chronological order. The
1990 Bob Berkebile, FAIA summaries of the projects either are based on interviews with the architects (partic-
1993 Kirk Gastinger, FAIA ularly those that note Lessons Learned by the Architects) or have been adapted with
1994 Greg Franta, FAIA permission from the AIA’s project descriptions, with additional research.
1995 Harry Gordon, FAIA
1996 Donald Watson, FAIA 1997 AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects
1997–98 Gail Lindsey, FAIA
1999 Muscoe Martin, AIA Body Shop, U.S. Headquarters, Wake Forest, North Carolina
2000–01 Sandra Mendler Center for Regenerative Studies, Pomona, California
2002 Joyce Lee, AIA
Durant Road Middle School, Raleigh, North Carolina
2003 Daniel Williams, FAIA
Herman Miller “Greenhouse” Factory and Offices, Holland, Michigan
2004 Mark Rylander, AIA
2005 Vivian Loftness, FAIA National Public Radio Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
2006 James Binkley, FAIA Natural Resources Defense Council Headquarters, New York City
2007 Kira Gould, Assoc. AIA New Canaan Nature Center Horticultural Education Center, New Canaan,
Connecticut
Prince Street Technologies, Cartersville, Georgia
Way Station, Frederick, Maryland
Women’s Humane Society Animal Shelter, Bensalem, Pennsylvania

At Body Shop’s U.S. Headquarters by Design The interior of Body Shop’s U.S. Headquarters provides simple, flexible
Harmony, the entry features indigenous space with natural light and ventilation.
vegetation and solar-based orientation.
 1997 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 131

Herman Miller “Greenhouse” Factory & Offices was designed

by William McDonough + Partners to consider the health of The Natural Resources Defense Council Headquarters
the workers inside as well as the integration of the building (NRDC), completed in 1988 by Croxton Collaborative
into the landscape. Architects, stands today as the seminal project that
turned the tide toward green architecture in America
by addressing the full ecology of the building: light,
air, energy, and human health and well-being.

Sustainable design goals and the selection of

resource-efficient building systems and materials
were encouraged for the National Public Radio
(NPR) building, provided that these features
contributed to a healthy, productive working The NPR Headquarters by Burt Hill required major renovation
environment, and did not significantly add cost. of a 25-year-old former commercial office building.
132 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

The Way Station, located in the heart of the Frederick Historic District, was
designed by The ENSAR Group, Inc., to complement the neighborhood. It
is organized around a central light court with a large garden where the
primary building circulation occurs.

1997 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

CENTER FOR REGENERATIVE STUDIES
Location: Pomona, California
Architect: Dougherty + Dougherty
This project originated as a multidisciplinary graduate stu-
dent environmental design project and was then brought to
reality through a series of private grants. The team leader
was the late John T. Lyle, who was a fellow of ASLA and a
professor at the Center for Regenerative Studies. The pro-
ject has been renamed in his memory. The client represen-
tative was Marvin Malecha, FAIA, who was then dean of the
College of Environmental Design at California State Poly-
technic University, Pomona.

The mission of ecological

regeneration was
integrated into the
planning and design
of the Center for
Regenerative Studies.
 1997 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 133

Building Performance, According to the Architects

Regenerative Studies is home to an environmental program of study at the univer-
sity that is faculty- and student-driven. The site is subject to heavy use, and this was
initially a concern to university trustees. They predicted a slowly deteriorating site,
with mosquitoes in the aquaculture ponds and unkempt grounds. The reverse has
been true. There is a distinct sense of place, opportunity, and community at the cen-
ter. Students and faculty are using every available approach to explore alternative
solutions to environmental problems. Many students are inspired to study ways to
design and construct such projects as solar panels, solar ovens, composters, and irri-
gation systems and to conduct agricultural experiments. In this way, the environ-
mental performance has been enhanced, just as it was envisioned. This project has
taken on a life of its own, and it continues to evolve as an academic setting for envi-
ronmental research.

1997 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

DURANT ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL
LOCATION: Raleigh, North Carolina
ARCHITECT: Innovative Design
At the time this school was designed, the firm had specialized in energy design and
had experienced considerable success with daylit schools in the adjacent county.

Durant Road Middle

School is the first school
in the county to comply
with ASHRAE’s 15 cubic
feet per minute (cfm) per-
person guideline.
134 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Daylight illuminates the

gym during the day.

Their energy performance, as well as the indoor environment, was excellent, and the
schools were used as a regional benchmark. This was a major factor in Wake County
Schools’ decision to hire the architectural firm. Client and architects adopted the
then-current version of North Carolina’s High Performance Guidelines (very similar
to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, but with more state-
appropriate variations).

Building Performance, According to the Architects

Durant Middle School was completed in 1995 for use as a year-round school (with
the resulting increase in energy and operating requirements). It was the first school
in the county to comply with ASHRAE’s 15 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per-person
guideline. In 1995 the school consumed $0.84 per square foot per year in energy
bills. This compared at that time to $1.34 per square foot for the typical year-round
 1997 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 135

school in this area of North Carolina that also complies with the 15 cfm ASHRAE
standard. Since that time, a considerable number of mobile classrooms have been
added to the campus, and Sunday church services within the school have increased;
but the energy costs, excluding the mobiles, have been maintained and actually
have improved, ranging from 10 percent below the first-year (1995) usage to $0.73
(2003–2004). Performance in some classrooms has been reduced due to lack of
maintenance and lack of use of the operable shades in those classrooms. Such main-
tenance details and staff operational practices have to be continually addressed.

1997 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

NEW CANAAN NATURE CENTER HORTICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER
LOCATION: New Canaan, Connecticut
ARCHITECTS: Donald Watson, FAIA, and Buchanan Associates Architects,
in joint venture
In 1981, when the program was formulated, the client established that the building
should be a prototype to demonstrate and promote energy-efficient greenhouse
design, and it would be combined with classrooms and offices. The program and
design concepts were subject to extensive research, including a survey of similar
projects internationally, computer and daylight modeling, and consultations with
experts in mechanical systems, construction, and horticulture. One of the early
green demonstration projects of the 1980s, the project received numerous awards
for design and energy innovation. For more information about the center, visit its
Web site at http://www.newcanaannature.org.

The program and design

concepts of the New
Canaan Nature Center
Horticultural Education
Center were subject to
extensive research,
including a survey of
similar projects
internationally, computer
and daylight modeling,
and consultations with
experts in mechanical
systems, construction,
and horticulture.
136 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

The passive aspects of

the design (i.e., thermal
mass and earth berms)
have proven both
economical and
durable in the New
Canaan Building.

Building Performance, According to the Architects

Completed in 1983, the project has been in operation for more than 25 years.
Energy consumption was documented for several years, and revealed that actual uti-
lization exceeded the energy reduction anticipated by computer simulations. The
building has been evaluated in a series of postoccupancy studies, at two, five, and
ten years after inauguration. These evaluations offered a number of lessons. Some
features originally installed for energy conservation are no longer operated: for
example, a solar hot-water system installed in 1983 was little used and has been dis-
connected; a large, insulating shade (70 ft. long ⫻ 40 ft. high) originally installed to
operate automatically now runs by operator switch controls. Other features have
proven durable. One of the innovations used was root-bed heating; innovative at
the time, it now has been adopted widely in greenhouses in the northeastern United
States as an energy-efficient technique to maintain healthy planting environments.

Lessons Learned by the Architects

䊏 The building circulation is designed as a visitor tour, with movement through
the building providing sequential openings and views, as in a forest. Interac-
tive exhibits that explained the energy features of the design were innovative
at the time of the building’s opening. These were removed after a decade to
make room for gardening programs.
䊏 The nonmoving aspects of the design (i.e., passive design, thermal mass, and
earth berms) have proven both economical and durable. The moving parts,
such as the insulating shade, have proven to be a challenge. The long-term
lesson is “Keep It (Very) Simple.”
 1997 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 137

䊏 Our firm adopted solar energy and environmental design as a primary focus
of a teaching and research-based practice beginning in the mid-1960s. We
continue this focus still. Great emphasis is given to the programming and
preschematic phases, in establishing parameters of performance and re-
ducing liability and costs, seeking double- and triple-use opportunities and
natural fit with the given climate and context. In this project, the large green-
house is essentially a multiuse atrium space for plants and people, serving as
a horticultural greenhouse, a reception area for events, a place for exhibits, a
garden gift shop, and an educational classroom.
䊏 Design architect of the project, Donald Watson, FAIA, sums up lessons as:
“Delve diligently into all design options. Test carefully, and adopt new
approaches with vigilance. Seek advice from a wide range of experts. Be ever
patient with the client. Use the process to educate yourself and others. Fol-
low up with [a] thorough evaluation. Be honest about mistakes and lessons
learned. Be modest before the complexity and wonder of nature.”

1997 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

PRINCE STREET TECHNOLOGIES
LOCATION: Cartersville, Georgia
ARCHITECT: Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates
The architects’ approach to design draws from the client’s needs as well as an under-
standing of site opportunities and constraints, in addition to budget and time con-
siderations. The client is an innovative manufacturer of high-end custom carpet. To
select an architect, it sponsored a design competition for its new corporate office,
showroom, and manufacturing facility. The client established that the new facility

Activity is shared visually

at Prince Street
Technologies through the
generous use of glass,
from the plant, design
studio, offices, and
conference rooms to
showrooms on the
outside radius.
138 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

The Prince Street

Technologies facility
provides a work
environment that
conveys a sense of family
and emphasizes
teamwork. It is a
marketing tool for its
products, while reflecting
the client’s commitment
to the environment.

should provide a work environment that conveyed a sense of family and emphasized
teamwork; be a marketing tool for its products; and reflect the client’s commitment
to the environment.
To facilitate the close sense of family and teamwork that employees of Prince
Street shared, the design incorporates open architecture to accomplish the client’s
goal of “flattening” any perception of corporate hierarchy. Activity is shared visually,
through the generous use of glass, from the plant, design studio, offices, and con-
ference rooms to showrooms on the outside radius. The primary visitor to this facil-
ity is the design community. The design solution was to create a framework for tours
that tell the story of the product and the company, which includes an environmen-
tal message. Many aspects combine to optimize energy efficiency and the health
and well-being of employees and to respect the natural environment. Daylighting is
prevalent, sun shading reduces heat gain, and air ducts are built into precast con-
 1997 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 139

crete floor panels for maximum energy efficiency. Other environmental concerns are
addressed by the use of low-maintenance landscape and simple building materials
that are underfinished.

Building Performance, According to the Architects

The facility was used less than five years. After only a couple of those years, Prince
Street combined its broadloom-manufacturing processes with Bentley, the com-
pany’s other top-tier carpet line. All of the production was moved to an existing
Bentley facility in California.

1997 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

WOMEN’S HUMANE SOCIETY ANIMAL SHELTER
LOCATION: Bensalem, Pennsylvania
ARCHITECT: Susan Maxman & Partners, Architects
This was the first sustainable project that Susan Maxman & Partners, Architects
undertook, and the client was new to sustainable design when they started the proj-
ect. In the early stages of the project, Maxman met Amory Lovins and decided to
undertake an energy-efficient, green building. Maxman convinced the client, who
agreed to pay an additional fee to simulate the performance of the design and deter-

The energy performance

of the Women’s Humane
Society Animal Shelter
has been tracked, and its
performance is better
than was anticipated in
the computer modeling.
140 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

mine energy-efficient strategies for it. When it came to budget cutting, the client did
not eliminate any of the energy-saving strategies.

1998 AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects

Cambridge Cohousing, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Energy Resource Center, Downey, California
Environmental Showcase Home, Phoenix, Arizona
Florida House Learning Center, Sarasota, Florida
Interface Ray C. Anderson Plant, La Grange, Georgia
Patagonia Distribution Center, Reno, Nevada
Ridgehaven Green Demonstration Project, San Diego, California
SC Johnson Wax Commercial Products Headquarters, Racine, Wisconsin
Thoreau Center for Sustainability, San Francisco, California
Wal-Mart Environmental Demonstration Store, City of Industry, California

Cambridge Cohousing by The Green Village Co.represents

an innovative and promising model of collaboration for The overall environmental achievements at Cambridge
community residents and green-thinking professionals. Cohousing are a good precedent for multifamily housing.
 1998 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 141

Energy
efficiency,
indoor air
quality, and
resource
conservation
were all key
goals in the
The Energy Resource Center by WLC Architects acts as a design of
showcase building, integrating not only top-quality energy the Energy
strategies but also environmental material choices and Resource
indoor environmental quality elements. Center.

Environmental Showcase Home by Jones Studio was At the Environmental Showcase Home, water
designed to introduce a full range of environmentally conservation, waste reduction, and the evaluation
responsible design ideas, systems, and products to of materials through a life-cycle assessment were
mass-market production housing builders. integrated into the design solution.
142 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

A unique aspect of the Patagonia Distribution Center by The

Miller|Hull Partnership was Patagonia’s environmental philosophy
and corporate culture, and the connection between its products and
the environment.

Interface’s Ray C. Anderson Plant, a manufacturing

plant and customer center for the carpet manufac-
turer, was designed by Thompson, Ventulet, Stainback
& Associates.

The SC Johnson Wax Commercial Products building designed

by Zimmerman Design Group and Hellmuth Obata + Kassa- The challenge for HOK was to create the most advanced,
baum (HOK) serves as a benchmark for environmentally environmentally responsible building possible
responsible design and construction. without adding to the overall cost.
 1998 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 143

1998 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

FLORIDA HOUSE LEARNING CENTER
LOCATION: Sarasota, Florida
ARCHITECT: Osborn Sharp Associates
The primary goal was to create a state of the shelf demonstration of sustainable
design and development. The firm wanted the public to adopt the thinking and to
take action by using the right design and by making the right purchases. The archi-
tect was also the president of the nonprofit learning center. This helped to simplify
the communication and decision making. The firm used a collaborative process
between all professionals and stakeholders.
The design process had to be more collaborative with the required integration of
the building systems. The firm developed a taxonomy of system layers to integrate
whole-system thinking into the process, termed “natural, built, economic, and social
layers.” The firm uses the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
and the Florida Green-Building systems as metrics. More importantly, however, they
use them to involve, communicate with, and educate the client.
Building Performance, According to the Architects
This project is unique as a public and private partnership for a sustainable model
home and yard for the public to visit. The public may also attend classes on how to
make their lifestyle in Florida more sustainable.

The firm uses the LEED (Leadership in Energy

and Environmental Design) and the Florida
Florida House Learning Center is unique as a public and private partnership Green-Building systems as metrics in the
for a sustainable model home and yard for the public to visit. Florida House Learning Center.
144 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

We have remodeled the finish materials and landscaping, adding storm shutters
as well. The building is doing better than expected and has been improved over the
years through upgrades. A public and private volunteer advisory board maintains
the demonstration home and yard and keeps the curriculum up to date. More than
10,000 people visit each year, verifying the strong demand for credible information
on sustainable designs of homes and yards.
The firm also learned the importance of educating everyone involved in the con-
struction process on the different sustainability goals. The contractors, their subcon-
tractors, the subcontractors’ employees, and down the line, all need to know what
must be done and avoided to accomplish a sustainable design.

Lessons Learned by the Architects

We have learned that there is a new language of sustainable design and construc-
tion, that an integrative design process takes much more time and fees, and that
there will be hurdles in local codes and construction practices to overcome.
We incorporate sustainable issues into our entire project specifications by using
(1) a separate specification document that addresses only the sustainable-design
issues and (2) separate notes and notices on our plans. We rely on our consultants
for the specialized information.
Furthermore, we would also
䊏 Expand the design-charrette process to aid in the discovery of auxiliary com-
munity needs and stakeholders for a center of this type
䊏 Build in more hurricane resistance and technology
䊏 Add more photovoltaic solar cells
䊏 Add more offices and meeting rooms or classrooms for a center of this type
䊏 Incorporate and feature more varied glass types and window technology,
especially the use of “second-surface” low-E glass for Florida’s climate

1998 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

RIDGEHAVEN GREEN DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
LOCATION: San Diego, California
ARCHITECT: Platt/Whitelaw Architects
Building Performance, According to the Architects
The project was originally designed as a green demonstration project. The city of San
Diego has continued to add demonstration elements such as leaf composting, pho-
tovoltaics, and recharging stations. The building has exceeded expectations for a
number of reasons: extensive commissioning allowed the building to exceed the
design energy-efficiency goals. Responsible maintenance and operations by the city
(based on a green-maintenance manual provided by the design team) has resulted
in maintaining the interior environmental quality.
 1998 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 145

The client (the director of the city’s environmental services department) and his
team were visionary in creating a green demonstration project. An integrated design
team was assembled that included members of the local utility company as well as
experts in energy efficiency and sustainable design. Charrettes were used to pursue
a process of visioning as well as detailed modeling and cost analysis. The client never
lost sight of the overall vision throughout the process, even during periods when the
budget and schedule were severely challenged.

Lessons Learned by the Architects

The project was an adaptive reuse of an existing building. The budget was extremely
limited. Priorities were set based on payback benefits. Certain envelope improve-
ments were excluded from the project due to longer payback benefits. Since the
existing building has limited floor-to-floor heights, underfloor distribution was not
feasible, but subsequent work we have done with wind scoops and vertical ducting,
down to displacement ventilation outlets, has shown promising application for
buildings with large floor plates such as this.
Working through a charrette process with an integrated client and design team
was a stimulating, successful process that we try to apply on other projects. We
learned the true value of energy modeling as a design tool. As a result, we intro-
duced the resources and ability to model energy performance into our practice;
although we usually still use consultants for this task, we are able to better under-
stand and challenge that process. The awareness we gained of the impact of the
built environment on human health and performance has become an integral part of
our firm’s design philosophy. This brings with it the responsibility to keep expanding
our knowledge base. We have developed the appropriate resources in the office and
have “greened” our office operation. An understanding of and commitment to sus-
tainable design is an important criterion in the selection of new staff members.
We use the LEED system as a design tool, because it is a useful, comprehensive
checklist. Like any other tool, it is only as good as the user’s ability to apply it. We
have several LEED-accredited professionals on staff; the training is one important
component in developing a full understanding of the practice of sustainable design.
We do maintain a healthy skepticism of the LEED (and any other) rating system,
since its blind application (shopping for points) can be detrimental.

1998 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

THOREAU CENTER FOR SUSTAINABILITY
LOCATION: San Francisco, California
ARCHITECT: Tanner Leddy Maytum Stacy
The client was critical to the vision and success of the Thoreau Center. The client
team and the design team shared the same goal—to make the Thoreau Center a
model for practical integration of a sustainable building within the context of a
national historic landmark. The client was involved in the design decisions and sup-
146 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Thoreau Center for

Sustainability is a model
for the practical
integration of
sustainable building
principles into the
context of a national
historic landmark.

ported the entire project process. The firm has continued its relationship with the
client team and has completed several other projects with them.
The firm currently uses the LEED-rating system, with one gold-rated project
complete and several others in the works. Having LEED-accredited professionals on
staff is very important and encourages other staff members to become accredited.

Building Performance, According to the Architects

The Thoreau Center has been very successful on a number of levels. The project has
continued to be a model for sustainable design within the context of historic preser-
vation. The methods and materials selected ten years ago still perform very well;
they have been easy to maintain and operate; and they still look great. The other
aspect of the design and original concept of the project was to create a community
of nonprofit organizations to share the buildings and share resources. This has been
 1999 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 147

extremely successful. More than 50 nonprofit organizations are now located in the
Thoreau Center, with a public gallery, shared conference center, and a lively café
where the community comes together.

Lessons Learned by the Architects

The design team learned many lessons from this project in the design, documenta-
tion, and construction process. An inclusive process, with the client group and
reviewing agencies, was critical to the success of the project. The importance of prod-
uct research in materials selection and the incorporation of sustainable-building
requirements into the project specifications were also critical to the construction
process. Finally, incorporation of operation and maintenance procedures and tenant
standards was vital to the ongoing success of the Thoreau Center over the last ten
years. The lessons learned from this project have been incorporated into the firm’s
office practice and into our projects over the last ten years.

1999 AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects

CCI Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Denver Drygoods, Denver, Colorado
Duracell Headquarters, Bethel, Connecticut
Georgia Institute of Technology Olympic Aquatic Center, Atlanta, Georgia
Kansas City Zoo Deramus Pavilion, Kansas City, Missouri
Malvern Elementary School, McKinney, Texas
Missouri Historical Society Museum, St. Louis, Missouri
New York Life Building, Kansas City, Missouri
Real Goods Solar Living Center, Hopland, California
REI Seattle, Seattle, Washington

1999 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

CCI CENTER
LOCATION: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
ARCHITECT: Tai + Lee Architects
Building Performance, According to the Architects
Successes of the building with respect to initial goals include the following:
䊏 The green building design reinforces the organizational mission.
䊏 The building design combines renovation and new construction in an urban
office building for green organizations.
䊏 Project uses salvaged materials extensively.
䊏 The project building is a model of energy- and resource-efficient design.
148 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

The design of Malvern Elementary School by SHW Group, Inc. Simple industrial components for the Malvern Elementary
illustrates multiple elements for a pilot sustainable school. School helped to create a fit with the fabric of the community.

The Missouri Historical Society Museum expansion by

Hellmuth Obata + Kassabaum (HOK) preserves the High ceilings and contiguous open space accommodate
integrity of the historic structure, while substantially a variety of exhibition and artifact configurations in the
increasing the exhibition area. Missouri Historical Society Museum.
 1999 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 149

1999 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

DENVER DRYGOODS
LOCATION: Denver
ARCHITECT: Affordable Housing Development Corp.
and Urban Design Group
Building Performance, According to the Architects
The building is performing as well or better than expected. The use of evaporative
coolers in the apartment portion of the project has dramatically reduced the amount
of electricity used for air conditioning of the apartments in the summer. The use of
low-E double-pane glass has also reduced energy consumptions for the apartments.
We are now replacing the retail storefront (as needed) with low-E double-pane
glass. Another developer developed the final four floors of the building as residen-
tial, for-sale loft condominiums, utilizing conventional approaches. This does, how-
ever, provide a basis to compare our energy-saving investments with their (lack of)
investment.

The architect, engineers,

and first-phase developer
were committed to
energy efficiency and
sustainable development
from the very beginning
for Denver Drygoods.
150 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Rocky Mountain
Institute assisted
throughout the design
process for Denver
Drygoods.

Lessons Learned by the Architects

The architect, engineers, and first-phase developer were committed to energy effi-
ciency and sustainable development from the very beginning. Early in the design, we
engaged RMI, the Rocky Mountain Institute, to help us through the design process.
Evaporative cooling enabled downsizing of mechanical equipment and cost savings.
The developer also worked with the architect to specify the most sustainable mate-
rials possible. We required the contractor to recycle materials during the construction
as well.

1999 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

DURACELL HEADQUARTERS
LOCATION: Bethel, Connecticut
ARCHITECT: Herbert S. Newman and Partners
Building Performance, According to the Architects
The building has fulfilled the client’s objectives for an environmentally responsible
corporate headquarters. Energy-efficient mechanical systems have been reported to
have saved more than a million kilowatt-hours (or $121,000 annually) and qualified
for nearly $250,000 in utility incentives, reducing the incremental cost of premium
efficiency equipment needed to achieve those savings. Additionally, the building has
gained praise as a flagship of corporate responsibility. Employees show enthusiastic
acceptance. The facility is supported by local nature and youth groups, who main-
tain the surrounding nature paths and habitat, which support features such as
bluebird-nest boxes and bat boxes.
 1999 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 151

Duracell established an internal Green Team to work alongside design and con-
struction professionals to establish and meet environmental goals. Thus, client
involvement positively impacted the sustainability of the site design, natural plant-
ing and landscaping, habitat and wildlife, stormwater runoff, architectural design,
construction-waste management, building materials, energy conservation, water
conservation, preparation for move-in, waste management, and employee safety.

Lessons Learned by the Architects

䊏 We would take advantage of the wider range of readily available and less-
expensive sustainable building materials.
䊏 We learned of the importance of the earliest possible involvement of engi-
neers and subconsultants, green-design charrettes at every phase of design,
and the development of a green budget to account for energy savings.
䊏 Our firm has consistently worked to apply sustainable principles to the design
process, and therefore we have not modified our professional practices as
much as we have supplemented them by sponsoring the continuing educa-
tion of our staff, utilizing design tools, and if necessary supplementing our
project teams with expert consultants in the field of ecology and green
design.
䊏 We use a number of design tools that enable us to achieve sustainable-design
objectives. Computer software allows us to make informed choices by evalu-
ating the relative environmental merits of comparable materials. We keep
current on developments in sustainable-design practices by using the latest
versions of these software packages and maintaining subscriptions to period-
icals specializing in the field. In particular, the Women’s Network for a Sus-
tainable Future helps us to learn about cutting-edge technologies and
materials and how to communicate with our clients more effectively, gaining
their support and endorsement for green endeavors.
䊏 We work with engineers and contractors who understand and share our
sustainable-design principles. We hold a green workshop with all disciplines
on the design team, including client representatives, to ensure that each
entity understands these objectives and to brainstorm ways to improve the
process.
䊏 We specify construction-waste management procedures, material reclama-
tion and recycling, materials, mechanical equipment, finishes, and lighting
that do not need to produce waste in production.
䊏 We use LEED and GreenGlobe as guidelines for environmental performance,
and often we design for LEED certification. The decision to pursue LEED
certification is still, ultimately, client driven. A rapidly increasing number of
prospective clients require identification of LEED-accredited staff and firm
experience with LEED certification.
152 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

1999 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

KANSAS CITY ZOO DERAMUS PAVILION
LOCATION: Kansas City, Missouri
ARCHITECT: BNIM Architects
The Deramus Pavilion project does the following:
䊏 It supports and symbolizes the mission of the zoo.
䊏 It clearly expresses an aesthetic of natural materials.

The client and architect

were united to create a
Kansas City Zoo
Deramus Pavilion that
would be at once loved,
efficient, durable, and
pedagogical.
 1999 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 153

䊏 It shows exemplary use of daylighting.

䊏 It uses structure built completely from salvaged or sustainably managed
wood.
䊏 It uses ecological site planning.

Building Performance, According to the Architects

The performance is still as projected. Staff and community love the building, with
the possible exception of the IMAX Theater, now one of three in town and thus not
attracting full use and capacity.

Lessons Learned by the Architects

䊏 Beauty is as important as performance.
䊏 The client and architect were united to create a facility that would be at once
loved, efficient, durable, and pedagogical.
䊏 More emphasis on integrated design and less on controls.
䊏 We spent a lot of time doing materials analysis and resource mapping,
because very little information was available at that time. In response, we
have created Elements, a subsidiary group of seven professionals primarily
responsible for our research, resource mapping, and daylight and energy
modeling.
䊏 Biology and earth sciences play a critical role in our design work, some of
which is accomplished by Elements, some by our in-house landscape archi-
tects and some by outside consultants.
䊏 We have developed high-performance sustainable specifications over the last
20 years. We use LEED and have accredited professionals, but we also create
custom design and measurement tools to define and measure “triple bottom-
line” performance beyond LEED Platinum.

1999 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

REAL GOODS SOLAR LIVING CENTER
LOCATION: Hopland, California
ARCHITECT: Van der Ryn Architects
Projects goals are as follows:
䊏 Support mission and business philosophy of Real Goods Trading Co.
䊏 Design climate-responsive building and site.
䊏 Make extensive use of solar and daylight.
䊏 Maintain aesthetic of original building form.
154 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

The form of the Real

Goods Solar Living
Center by Van der Ryn
Architects is similar to
a sundial.

Building Performance, According to the Client

Real Goods founder and president John Schaeffer states:
The building is performing famously and even exceeding expectations. Still
never gets over 78ºF in summer even when 110ºF outside, and in the win-
ter we only need one small woodstove to take off the chill even when it is
25ºF outside. The thermal performance is superior to that predicted due to
the added thermal mass of the 2 to 3 inches of soil-cement applied in addi-
tion to the 1-inch base coat, as modeled. This extra mass enables the build-
ing to “bridge” extremely hot or cool periods.
Original projections were to attract 50,000 visitors per year. Since open-
ing in 1997, the site has consistently been visited by over four times that
number. The Solar Living Center has inspired over a million visitors. Now as
home of the nonprofit Solar Living Institute, we hope it will continue for
many years to come. For more information, see http://www.solarliving.org.

Lessons Learned by the Architects

䊏 Changes would likely include greater use of building-integrated photovoltaic
options and a few finish materials that weren’t available ten years ago. Oth-
erwise the project stands as a good example of second-generation ecological
design, well suited to its climate and program.
1999 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 155

The building and

outdoor plan are fully
integrated at the
Real Goods Solar
Living Center.
156 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

䊏 A most important lesson is the importance of collaboration in creating inte-

gral, ecological design. We also have learned that straw-bale construction is
well suited to passive-solar design, as it features high levels of insulation while
supporting ample thermal mass on the interior surface. Testing confirmed
that there is a perfect 12-hour diurnal transfer of heat from the surfaces to
the center of the bale walls.
䊏 Operating costs of maintaining the landscape have been expensive, so ongo-
ing fund-raising for the Institute is always a priority.
䊏 Our approach to “ecological design” is on a much more intuitive, holistic
level than that captured by LEED or any of the rating systems. That’s not to
discount them, only to say that we have our own systems that are not tar-
geted to “points” so much as they are at achieving higher levels of integra-
tion, balancing these with the overall design goals and relationship to the
greater landscape.

1999 AIA/COTE Top Ten Winner

REI SEATTLE
LOCATION: Seattle, Washington
ARCHITECT: Mithun
The REI flagship store’s green building design supports REI’s conservation ethic.
Coop members were polled for their environmental priorities, and these were used
as design criteria. The project balances environmental and cost accountability with
retailing needs.
The architect and REI considered a number of design choices based on the
environmental-priority information collected from their members. The top priorities
were as follows:
䊏 Energy efficiency
䊏 Use of resource-efficient materials and recycled-content materials
䊏 Recycling and reuse of construction and demolition waste, keeping materials
out of the waste stream
Other priorities mentioned included the following:
䊏 Alternative transit options
䊏 Water conservation
䊏 Building operations that include recycling
The design utilized a number of sustainable-design strategies:
䊏 Energy efficiency
䊏 Interior zoning with floating temperature conditions to reduce the areas
where full heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) controls and
strict temperature set points are required
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1999 AIA /C OTE TO P TEN G R EEN P R O JEC TS 157

REI Seattle by Mithun balances

environmental and cost account-
ability with retailing needs.

䊏 Natural daylighting used extensively throughout the building

䊏 Carbon monoxide sensors that activate garage exhaust fans only when
needed
䊏 No escalators
䊏 High-efficiency metal halide and fluorescent lighting used within the building
䊏 Computer-controlled energy-management system
䊏 Building layout for solar use and control, with the morning sun used in the
building warm-up stage and solar sunscreens to control summer sun
䊏 Low-E glass used at optimal locations