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
Codes and Standards | Sep 15, 2020
Taller timber buildings approved in National Fire Protection Association code
Ensures compatibility with the International Building Code.
Codes and Standards | Sep 14, 2020
Relocation of neighborhoods, the next step in U.S. flood strategy, is underway
Repeated rebuilding after successive floods now seen as bad policy.
Codes and Standards | Sep 10, 2020
Fannie Mae programs provide incentives for multifamily solar
Affordable housing projects can find PV installations to be cost-effective.
Codes and Standards | Sep 9, 2020
Corporate pledges accelerate net-zero building movement
World Green Building Council drives goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Codes and Standards | Sep 8, 2020
Study will examine elevator airflow amid COVID-19 pandemic
Researchers to investigate risk of airborne transmission.
Codes and Standards | Sep 4, 2020
Updated selection, application guide for plastic glazed skylights, sloped glazing released
Part of suite of skylight documents by Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance.
Codes and Standards | Sep 3, 2020
Turner Construction takes strong stand against racism
Shuts down work sites for anti-bias training.
Codes and Standards | Sep 2, 2020
California releases guide for state water policy
Water Resilience Portfolio is roadmap for meeting water needs as climate changes.
Codes and Standards | Aug 31, 2020
Fenestration alliance updates fenestration sealants guide
First update to 2009 document.
Codes and Standards | Aug 25, 2020
Platform will allow researchers to test energy system integration at scale
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently launched the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform.