The city of Santa Monica, Calif., intends to construct a 50,000 sf city services building that will not only aim for net zero energy, but also net zero water usage.
The structure will be designed to meet the requirements of the International Living Future Institute’s “Living Building Challenge,” the most stringent environmental building standard in the world. Plans call for the building to collect rainwater for treatment and reuse—a system that would be a first for California.
The challenge will be to design a system that will allow California’s Division of Drinking Water to permit its use. The 2013 California Plumbing Code allows rainwater collected onsite to be a source for potable water, but no such systems have been permitted in the state to date.
The project, particularly the approaches to water use, could set precedents for other green buildings in California. With the state suffering through a multi-year drought, the project could become a welcome trendsetter.
Related Stories
| Mar 6, 2013
EPA asks for feedback on Energy Star criteria on tubular daylighting devices and skylights
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has requested feedback from stakeholders about draft two of the Energy Star tubular daylighting devices (TDD) and revised skylight criteria.
| Mar 6, 2013
AAMA moves to streamline windows, doors certification extensions
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) says it will update an interim procedural guide that will provide a documented, optional process to extend current, unexpired AAMA product certification.
| Feb 26, 2013
Tax incentive database for reflective roofs available
The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) and the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) created a database of current information on rebates and tax credits for installing reflective roofs.
| Feb 26, 2013
Southern Pine Inspection Bureau publishes new design values effective June 1
New design values for all sizes and grades of visually graded Southern Pine dimension lumber were published in the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau’s (SPIB) Supplement No.13 to the 2002 Standard Grading Rules for Southern Pine Lumber on Feb. 11.
| Feb 26, 2013
ANSI standard for interior doors open for second public ballot
WDMA I.S.6A-11, Industry Standard for Interior Architectural Wood Stile and Rail Doors and WDMA I.S.1A-11, Industry Standard for Interior Architectural Wood Flush Doors, are now open for their second ballot for recognition as American National Standards.
| Feb 26, 2013
CRSI releases new technical note on stainless steel reinforcing bars
The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) has released a new technical note, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Stainless Steel Reinforcing Bars, to its online collection.
| Feb 26, 2013
Proposed ASHRAE standard revisions would boost requirement for automatic lighting
Proposed changes to the ASHRAE/IES energy standard would require automatic lighting controls in more space types and shorten the times before lighting is automatically reduced or shut off.
| Feb 20, 2013
Bill would make all California state building codes free and open source
California Assembly Bill 292 would make the California Code of Regulations (including the Building Codes) open source.
| Feb 20, 2013
Pittsburgh’s Phipps Conservatory aims for three top green certifications
The $15 million Center for Sustainable Landscapes at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, a net-zero facility, is applying for certification from three of the world's most stringent green rating systems—the Living Building Challenge, LEED Platinum, and the Sustainable Sites Initiative.
| Feb 20, 2013
ANSI/CRRC Cool Roof Standard has been approved
The Cool Roof Rating Council says the American National Standards Institute has given final approval of its ANSI/CRRC-1-2012 Standard after a two-year public review process.
