The American Institute of Architects Selects the 2013 COTE Top Ten Green Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Institute of Architects and its Committee on the Environment have selected the top ten examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions that protect and enhance the environment.

The COTE Top Ten Green Projects program, now in its 17th year, is the profession’s recognition program for sustainable design excellence. The program celebrates projects that are the result of a thoroughly integrated approach to architecture, natural systems and technology. They make a positive contribution to their communities, improve comfort for building occupants and reduce environmental impacts through strategies such as reuse of existing structures, connection to transit systems, low-impact and regenerative site development, energy and water conservation, use of sustainable or renewable construction materials and design that improves indoor air quality.

The 2013 COTE Top Ten Green Projects jury includes: Fiona Cousins, P.E., Arup; Lance Hosey, AIA, RTKL; Keelan Kaiser, AIA, Judson University; Sheila Kennedy, AIA, Kennedy & Violich Architecture Ltd.; Rod Kruse, FAIA, BNIM Architects and Gail Vittori, Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems.

To learn more and view photos, click on each project.  

Charles David Keeling Apartments: La Jolla, Calif.
KieranTimberlake
The design response was to tune the design to capitalize on the favorable environmental features. This led to a building envelope that uses thermal mass to buffer temperature changes, minimizes solar gain and naturally ventilates. Water scarcity is managed through a comprehensive strategy of conservation and reuse. A vegetated roof absorbs and evaporates rain that falls on that portion of the building, with overflow directed to the courtyard retention basins.

Clock Shadow Building: Milwaukee, Wis.
Continuum Architects + Planners
This project cleans up a brownfield site that was difficult to develop. The continental climate provides large swings in temperature and humidity which necessitated passive strategies such as southern facing windows with sunscreens that maximize insolation of the sun during cooler months and operable windows that let cool fresh air into the building. To gain the most efficiency from the HVAC systems, the project utilizes a geo-thermal system, drilled directly below the building.

Federal Center South Building 1202: Seattle, Wash.
ZGF Architects LLP
Energy models predict the building to operate at a “net-zero capable” Energy Use Intensity of 20.3 kBtu/SF/year, performing 40 percent better than ASHRAE 2007. The building will earn an ENERGY STAR Score of 100 and comply with 2030 Challenge goals. Two new products, chilled sails and open office lighting, were developed and manufactured to help achieve aggressive energy targets. To optimize the use of the available reclaimed timbers, the team designed, tested and constructed the first wood composite beam system in the U.S.

Marin Country Day School Learning Resource Center and Courtyard: Corte Madera, Calif.
EHDD
Around 95 percent of spaces are daylit and naturally ventilated. Nighttime operation of the cooling tower and an underground water tank provide active thermal storage for daytime cooling. The design of the building envelope includes air tightness detailing and the use of fire-treated wood stud framing to minimize thermal bridging. Walls were constructed with 2×8 and 2×10 wood studs to minimize thermal bridging and provide ample insulation. This building is designed to achieve an EUI of 6.74 kbtu/sf/year, including the energy generated by the PV array.

Merritt Crossing Senior Apts.: Oakland, Calif.
Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects
The roof area has a cool roof surface and is devoted to both solar water panels and photovoltaic panels. Ground-floor spaces benefit from the full-height storefront system that provides ample daylight and transparency to the outdoors. The windows are shaded in summer by either exterior sunshades or an overhang from the second floor. With no mechanical air conditioning, cooling is achieved by a low-volume ventilation system augmented by ceiling fans in each habitable room.

A New Norris House: Norris, Tenn.
College of Architecture & Design, UT Knoxville
“Rightsizing” reduced material and operational loads and costs, and shifted funds to quality design and construction, passive strategies and high-efficiency systems. The dormer and skylight are placed so daylight is reflected and diffused. No-VOC paint color is warm white with a punch of red-orange hidden within the swing space to produce a warm glow from reflected light. Low-E glass and translucent blinds provide further control over heat, glare and privacy. All interior rooms are daylit throughout the day. Electric lighting is integrated with cabinetry and includes low-energy LEDs.

Pearl Brewery/Full Goods Warehouse: San Antonio, Texas
Lake Flato Architects
This 67,000-square-foot LEED-Gold warehouse includes passive solutions including open breezeways, which were carefully oriented to prevailing summer breezes and supplemented with large ceiling fans. Rainwater captured from roofs, coupled with recycled water, is used to irrigate the landscaping on site. Highly efficient ductless mini-split systems were installed to condition indoor spaces. These systems can serve multiple zones using only one outdoor unit, and allow individual control of the air conditioning in each room.

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Headquarters: San Francisco, Calif.
Joint Venture: KMD Architects w/ Stevens & Associates
The building is designed to achieve LEED-Platinum certification and will exceed California's recently-instituted Title 24 requirements for energy efficiency in new office buildings by 55 percent according to SFPUC estimates. The building will produce up to 7 percent of its own power needs from renewable photovoltaic and wind sources; will provide $118 million in energy cost savings over 75 years and will require 45 percent less energy to illuminate the interior. The SFPUC consumes 60 percent less water than similarly sized buildings and is one of the first buildings in the nation with onsite treatment of gray and black water.

Swenson Civil Engineering Building: Duluth, Minn.
Design Architect: Ross Barney Architects
Architect of Record: SJA Architects
Seventy-three percent of the site is devoted to pervious materials and landscaping, reducing site detention requirements. An extensive green roof with native plants covers 22 percent of the roof, reducing stormwater rates and filtering impurities. Stormwater is directed from the roof to three scuppers and into above-ground cylinders filled with rocks for filtering. Stormwater eventually makes its way to a French drain system of underground water storage pipes for retention. The site lighting is minimal, and all fixtures are equipped with full cut-off optics.

Yin Yang House: Venice, Calif.
Brooks + Scarpa
This sound passive design strategy, combined with a tight perimeter building envelope and other active sustainable features such as the 12kw solar system, make this home a zero-energy consumption home. It produces 100 percent of its energy needs and, since completion, has never received an electric bill. The design maximizes the opportunities of the mild, marine climate with a passive cooling strategy using cross-ventilation and a thermal chimney. A large cantilevered roof overhang shades all the bedrooms from direct sunlight, while providing ample natural light and ventilation. The project also has green roofs and retains 95 percent of roof stormwater.