The 2nd floor offices make use of natural light
and fresh air ventilation.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a national, nonprofit
organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists
dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. With
offices in New York, Washington and San Francisco, NRDC selected
the Syska Hennessy Group Sustainable Design team to design their
new Headquarters building in Santa Monica, California.
This Syska designed project, a 15,000 sq. ft. Class A office building,
achieved the highest score to date for a US building in the LEED® program. Recognized with the highest level of LEED® Certification
possible – Platinum, it will likely be referred to as "the
greenest building in the US."
"The value of this building as a demonstration project cannot
be overstated," said Christine Ervin, president and CEO of
the U.S. Green Building Council. "As green building continues
to go mainstream, NRDC's Southern California office will serve
as a clear and measurable example of sustainable design and construction
for other building projects to emulate."
View of photovoltaic cells used on the roof of the NRDC Santa Monica building.
Syska team members worked closely with the
project architects and the owner to identify innovative ways
to introduce fresh air ventilation and natural light into
the offices, while at the same time addressing significant
site and budget constraints, using an integrated design process
that began from day one and continues throughout the construction
phase.
Some of the Sustainable strategies incorporated to help
achieve the LEED® Platinum rating goal include:
- High efficiency lighting systems with automatic daylight
dimming controls;
- Waterless urinals and "dual-flush" toilets
for water conservation;
- On-site gray water treatment and recovery system;
- Storm water treatment, retention and recovery system;
- Extensive use of natural ventilation;
- High-efficiency, HCFC-free air conditioning units;
- A 6-kW roof-mounted photovoltaic system;
- Indoor Air Quality management including CO2 sensors,
humidity sensors and MERV-13 HVAC filters;
- Displacement ventilation system with individual HVAC
controls.
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