NASA’s Sustainability Base—a roughly 50,000-sf green building at the Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley—is expected for completion next month. Construction officials from Swinerton Inc. and members of the architectural firm William McDonough and Partners and AECOM recycled approximately 92% of the waste created during construction.
The $20-million building incorporates technology used by astronauts and will generate more electricity than it consumes, meeting LEED platinum standards. Additionally, the building will consume 90% less drinkable water than other buildings of similar size that do not meet LEED standards.
Related Stories
| Sep 12, 2011
PVs play new roles as a teaching tool
Solar installations are helping K-12 schools around the country save money and teach students the intricacies of renewable energy sources.
| Sep 7, 2011
Administration, Maintenance and Operations Facility in South Bend achieves LEED Platinum
The facility achieved 52 LEED points, including those for site selection, energy, materials and resources and innovation.
| Jun 30, 2011
Balancing cost and energy performance in net-zero buildings
BD+C Editorial Director Robert Cassidy talks with The Weidt Group's David Eijadi, FAIA, about the cost of producing net-zero buildings.