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 | Aug 6, 2019
New technology, aligning training with local trends among keys to workforce development
Construction industry must also invest in training, recruiting high school students.
Codes and Standards | Aug 1, 2019
Planners, city official rethink parking requirements on new projects
Reducing number of parking spots frees up land for ‘more purposeful’ uses.
Codes and Standards | Jul 31, 2019
USGBC-LA chooses first ‘Net Zero Accelerator’ technologies
Wide range of solutions address numerous environmental challenges.
Codes and Standards | Jul 30, 2019
Solar brokerage will provide financing for small/medium businesses
First to fund solar for smaller-scale commercial operations.
Codes and Standards | Jul 29, 2019
ASCE group unveils structural safety database
Confidential reporting on structural failures, near misses, and other incidents.
Codes and Standards | Jul 26, 2019
Floating landscape infrastructure wins top ASCE innovation prize
Climate resiliency a key theme of entrants.
Codes and Standards | Jul 24, 2019
New York making slow progress on resiliency seven years after Hurricane Sandy
Property owners face many challenges; coastal defense project plans are complex and need more time to plan.
Codes and Standards | Jul 23, 2019
Berkeley, Calif. passes nation’s first ordinance to make new buildings all-electric
No gas hook-ups will be allowed in new houses, apartments, and commercial buildings.
Codes and Standards | Jul 22, 2019
San Francisco office building is city’s first structure certified by BREEAM USA for existing buildings
The Landmark @ One Market is one of San Francisco’s most architecturally distinctive buildings.
Codes and Standards | Jul 16, 2019
ASCE seeks comments on update to Calculation Methods for Structural Fire Protection standard
Pertains to fire resistance rating times.
