June 19, 2006—BNIM Architects and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that the US Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification for the Lewis and Clark State Office Building.
The building is the first state government office building in the nation to earn this recognition, and one of only 16 facilities that have earned the highest tier of recognition possible for energy and environmental design excellence under LEED New Construction (LEED-NC).
Located in Jefferson City, Mo., the Lewis and Clark State Office Building is a 120,000 square foot facility that proves that sustainable, energy efficient design does not have to add cost to the project. The project was completed with no premium over the budget for a typical state office building, says USGBC.
The facility is designed to reduce energy consumption by 53 percent over ASHRAE 90.1. It limits water usage by collecting rainwater for use in toilets and using drought-tolerant native plant species in landscaping, and prevents pollution-causing storm water runoff through a series of bio swales and detention ponds.
During the construction process, contractors used materials and products that conserved resources, such as a fly-ash concrete mixture, and recycled as much of the construction debris as possible. In addition, the building enhances user health and productivity through user controls, under-floor air distribution and access to daylight and views.
To earn Platinum status, BNIM Architects, DNR and the project team began by reducing the projected energy consumption of the facility by more than 50 percent. The building uses the latest developments in daylighting technologies, advanced electrical lighting and control systems, efficient building envelope design and highly integrated and innovative HVAC systems. Photovoltaic roof panels have been installed and provide 2.5 percent renewable energy, with the objective to ultimately create up to 20 percent through future installations.
The building was constructed by Professional Contractors and Engineers, Inc. (PCE), a Columbia, Mo.-based firm. For more information, visit the USGBC Web site.
For more on Berkebile Nelson Immenschuh McDowell Architects, see the company’s Web site.
