Through its use of photovoltaic panels, water harvesting to irrigate the landscape, radiant floor heating, and geothermal heating and cooling, Toyota of Corvallis, in Corvallis, Ore., is looking to become the first net zero energy auto dealership in the world.
A net zero building is one that, at the end of the year, produced more energy than it used. Any excess energy that is harvested is returned directly to the local power grid to help offset local power demands at peak usage periods.
Gensler, the architect of the 34,8000-sf Corvallis facility, will monitor the building and collect data for the next 14 months to ensure the dealership reaches the lofty goal it has set its sights on. In addition to looking to become a certified net zero energy building, the dealership was constructed to adhere to LEED Platinum standards. There are already a few Toyota dealerships around the country with this certification.
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the building occurred in late September and was attended by representatives from both Toyota and Gensler.
"As a design firm committed to constantly raising the bar and leading the charge on the future of sustainable design projects, we are very proud of this project,” says Rick Ferrara, Project Director, Gensler, in a press release. “Not only is Toyota of Corvallis setting a new standard for Toyota, they are leading the industry in a completely new direction."
Related Stories
Sustainability | Jan 16, 2018
The nation's capital of sustainable design
Major cities, like Washington, D.C., make up less than 2% of the world’s landmass, but they contribute 77% of the world’s CO2 emissions.
Museums | Jan 11, 2018
Suzhou Science & Technology Museum will highlight new cultural district in Shishan Park
The 600,000-sf museum will be about 62 miles northwest of Shanghai.
Urban Planning | Jan 10, 2018
Keys to the city: Urban planning and our climate future
Corporate interests large and small are already focused on what the impact of climate change means to their business.
Sustainability | Dec 7, 2017
Busting the myths: What the “S-word” can mean for construction and development
Sustainability, it’s a trendy term. The problem, however, is that it’s being used in so many different ways that people don’t even know what it means anymore.
Sponsored | Sustainability | Nov 2, 2017
Galileo’s Pavilion is a true showcase of sustainability
Galileo’s Pavilion is a 3,000-square-foot academic building.
Greenbuild Report | Oct 18, 2017
Rebuild, retreat, or resist
Hurricanes Harvey and Irma expose the necessity—and limitations—of resilient design and construction measures.
Sustainability | Oct 16, 2017
A negative emissions power plant is now operational in Iceland
The geothermal power plant in Hellisheidi, Iceland was outfitted with a Climeworks DAC module.
Sustainability | Oct 9, 2017
New Arizona State University building will reach triple net-zero performance
The science and research complex will include an atrium biome filled with plants and water.
Sustainability | Oct 4, 2017
The solutions to climate change are already at our fingertips
To keep global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius of warming, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that the global buildings sector will need to decrease its total annual greenhouse gas contribution by 77% by 2050.
Green | Oct 2, 2017
Five strategies to improve energy performance in existing buildings
After performing retro-commissioning and energy audits for more than five million square feet of existing building real estate, we have developed a list of common low/no-cost Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) that are identified on the majority of projects.