INNER WORKINGS
DPR Construction Phoenix Office Innovations in skylights and daylighting play a key role in the builder’s net-zero showpiece
Rome may not have been built in a day, but the DPR Construction’s Phoenix office practically was. It took less than a year for the company to purchase the building—an abandoned cement retail structure—get the permits, complete the design, and build its new regional headquarters. The national contractor proved a quick build could also achieve one of green design’s highest callings—net-zero energy. This is the first building in Arizona to achieve Net Zero certification from the International Living Future Institute, and the largest so far in the world. Here’s how they did it. By Lindsey Howald Patton
PROJECT
GREEN
LOCATION Phoenix Size 16,500 ft2 Completed 2 011 Program Corporate office renovation Awards NAIOP Best of 2011, 2012 ENR Southwest Project of the Year
CERTIFICATION Net-Zero Energy, International Living Future Institute; LEED-NC Platinum Site Renovated building on previously developed site, 78% of construction materials recycled and removed Materials Renewable bamboo wall slats, 97% FSC-certified wood, low- or no-VOC finishes, reuse of existing workstations, 33% recycled materials Water Solar-thermal system over parking canopy; low-flow, ratemetered faucets Energy Big Ass Fans, Solatube Daylighting Systems, LED exterior lighting, PV-covered parking canopy Landscape Native- and desertadapted plantings, green screen
TEAM ARCHITECT SmithGroupJJR Owner/Contractor DPR Construction Mechanical Contractor B elAire Mechanical Sustainability Consultant D MV KEMA Engineering Daylighting Solatube
SUNLIGHT SOLUTIONS DPR Construction tapped Solatube International, whose
daylighting systems it had already used in its LEED Platinum San Diego office, to install 82 units that distribute the region’s abundant sunlight throughout the office spaces (1). These provide major benefits, from better circadian rhythms to feeling connected to the outdoors. Best of all, 100 percent of the interior is naturally lit via Solatube Daylighting Systems during daytime hours. The units are even used in the conference rooms, which are fitted with a daylight dimmer that can dial down the brightness to about two percent for presentations.
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may–june 2014
gbdmagazine.com