DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI
Introduction to Sustainable Design
The architects’ role in sustainable design

HG nr. 583/2015 - aprobarea Planului national de

cercetare-dezvoltare si inovare pentru perioada
2015–2020 (PNCDI III)
ARTICOLUL 4. c) energie, mediu si schimbãri
climatice;

Introduction to Sustainable Design

The architects’ role in sustainable design

”As of now, together, we - architects of the world - are

committed to the climate of the future!”
Paris November 30th 2015

Lecture Content:
 What science community is telling us
 Drivers that triggered the need of sustainable design
 History of sustainable movement – from vernacular to today
 The built environment - a major contributor to pollution and global warming
 Internationally recognized sustainable design standards
 The architect's role in a sustainable design team practice
 Case studies applicable in your projects

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 2

copyright michael perciali 1

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
 What science community is telling us

To learn more about the climate crisis and what you can do to help solve it, please consider seeing the
film, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, or reading the book of the same name.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 3

Introduction to Sustainable Design

 What science community is telling us

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 4

copyright michael perciali 2

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
 What science community is telling us

• Here is the basic science of global warming. This has

been understood by scientists since the 1800s.
• Energy from the sun comes to Earth in the form of
light
• That energy is absorbed by the Earth and warms it.
• Some of that energy is re-radiated from the Earth in
the form of heat.
• Some of that outgoing heat is trapped by the
atmosphere, which is a good thing—it has kept our
planet at a stable temperature.
• Now, however, we have been “thickening” the
• There are many sources of manmade global atmosphere by filling it with heat-trapping pollution.
warming pollution: agricultural practices, forest More heat energy is trapped, and it is warming our
burning, transportation, and many other factors. planet at an unprecedented rate.

• But the main source and cause of the rising

global temperatures we are seeing today is the
burning of fossil fuels.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 5

Introduction to Sustainable Design

 What science community is telling us
 Effects of global warming:

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 6

copyright michael perciali 3

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
What science community is telling us
Effects of global warming:
• Wild fires producing significant damages
• Flooding occurred in Miami Beach, Florida, on a
sunny day with no rain.
• High tides now regularly flood the streets of
Miami Beach, as well as several other coastal
cities around the world.
• This situation will only get worse as sea levels
continue to rise.
• Looking at cities at risk by population, we see
that many huge cities in developing countries
are very much in danger.
• If parts of these cities become uninhabitable,
where will the people who live there go?
• Refugee crises connected to the climate crisis,
as well as pandemic diseases, water shortages
and food shortages.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 7

Introduction to Sustainable Design

 Drivers that triggered the need of sustainable design

• The fuel, food and financial crises are alarm bells warning of the un-sustainability
of global consumption.
• A new mind-set is needed.
• Opportunities to reduce energy use and carbon emissions, especially through
technology improvements and behavioural changes, and to promote alternative
energies can be accelerated as people gain awareness of their ecological
footprint.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 8

copyright michael perciali 4

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
 History of sustainable movement – from vernacular to today

TheTraining Center, Xegar, Tibet.

The complex uses 2 courtyards, the first for
offices and classrooms, the second for trainee
residences—a common traditional Tibetan
spatial hierarchy. The south and east
orientations maximize passive solar gain. An
internal walkway, connecting all parts of the
complex, provides protection to the north
elevation of the complex. The design includes
use of local materials and building techniques.
While it is true, especially in today’s world, that cultural
changes are natural and inevitable, larger issues remain. The
examples of Ladakh (where the local cultural traditions
provided a mechanism for promoting long-term land use
management practices) and the Training Center (where the
importance of ecotourism performed the same function)
demonstrate that placing value on traditional culture is
essential for developing local plans for environmental
sustainability and vice versa. It also demonstrates the use of
architecture as a tool to address the connected issues of
environmental and cultural sustainability.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 9

Introduction to Sustainable Design

 History of sustainable movement – from vernacular to today

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 10

copyright michael perciali 5

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
 History of sustainable movement – from vernacular to today

Peles Castle, Sinaia, started in1873

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 11

Introduction to Sustainable Design

 Sustainable movement – what do we see happening today:
• Every hour the Earth gets as much energy from the sun as we need to run the entire global
economy for a year.
• If we can increase the fraction of that that we harvest and use, we can make a lot of
progress towards solving the climate crisis and helping local economies at the same time.
• Battery storage is an essential part of the green energy revolution. Batteries allow us to store
excess solar or wind energy and use it during those times when the sun isn’t shining or the
wind isn’t blowing.
• Batteries are also critical for the electric vehicle market.
• As storage technologies get more efficient and cheaper, the market is growing quickly.
• Within the next eight years, highly efficient LED lights are predicted to virtually take over the
market.
• Energy-efficient technologies like LEDs save people money and help to reduce emissions by
cutting down on the amount of electricity we use.
• All these automobile manufacturers are now offering or preparing to offer electric vehicles.
• This is another part of the sustainability revolution.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 12

copyright michael perciali 6

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
 Sustainable movement – what do we see happening today:

• Wind energy was

predicted to provide 30
gigawatts of electricity
worldwide by 2010.
• As of 2016 we had
exceeded that prediction
by 16 times over.
• Wind energy could supply
40 times more electricity
than the entire world
currently uses

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 13

Introduction to Sustainable Design

 The built environment - a major contributor to pollution and global warming

Why is Sustainability important now and how building design can help the
environment?
 Buildings are the single largest contributor to global warming, accounting for
almost half of the total annual US energy consumption and CO2 emission.
 40% of primary energy use. Primary energy is : Solar energy ,Wind
power Fossil fuels Hydro power, Nuclear fuels, Geothermal power
 72% electricity consumption
 39% CO2 emissions – carbon dioxide
 13.6% potable water consumption
 40% of the raw material used
 30% of the waste output
Data by US Energy Information Administration

Conditions above are assumed to be true – if not worst – in most

countries today.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 14

copyright michael perciali 7

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
 The built environment - a major contributor to pollution and global
warmg

CO2 emission = greenhouse gas = climate change

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE
ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 15

Introduction to Sustainable Design

 The built environment - a major contributor to pollution and global warming
What Green Building Addresses:
 Climate change
 Resource depletion
 Water consumption
 Degradation of ecosystem / habitat
 Indoor environmental quality
 Occupant comfort and productivity
What Green Building can do:
 Reduce overall energy use in buildings by 24%-50%
 Reduce CO2 emissions caused by buildings by 33%- 39%
 Reduce water use in buildings by 40%
 Reduce solid waste generated in buildings by 70%

What Green Building brings:

 Economic prosperity
 Social responsibility
 Environmental leadership

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 16

copyright michael perciali 8

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
Internationally recognized sustainable design standards.

 In December of 2015, at the Paris climate negotiations, virtually every

nation in the world agreed to phase down greenhouse gas pollution to net
zero emissions as early in the second half of this century as possible.
 In addition to actions by countries, it is more important than ever that we all
take the lead on climate. We are seeing corporations, states and
provinces, and cities commit to taking action to reduce emissions.
 We’re seeing marches and demonstrations and demands at the ballot box
for the kinds of changes that are needed.
 Because your world depends on it.
 We need your help.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 17

Introduction to Sustainable Design

Internationally recognized sustainable design standards.
 Greenbuild is global,

The world's largest and most influential green building conference—Greenbuild—is coming to Europe,
Mexico, Chicago, China and India.

 China | October 23-24, 2018 | Shanghai

United States | Nov. 14-16, 2018 | Chicago
India | Nov. 15-18, 2018 | Mumbai
Europe | March 19-20, 2019 | Amsterdam
Mexico | June 18-19, 2019 | Mexico City

 Greenbuild is where the ideals & passions of the green building community come alive.
Every year, the U.S. Green Building Council and Informa, our conference partner, produce the
largest green building conference and expo in the world. Greenbuild is the go-to place for the
green building industry where inspiration happens, where business deals are made, where
innovation is recognized and celebrated and where people from around the globe reconnect and
remind each other why we do what we do – and why we work hard every day to better the built
environment.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 18

copyright michael perciali 9

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
 Other recognized sustainable design standards.
Many large international corporations and State / Federal Gov agencies (Our Customers) developed
internal sustainable policies following more or less the USGBC standards and tailoring them to the
Corporate specific needs. Examples of such entities:
 Most European and US automakers
 P&G
 CAT
 Most US Gov agencies
 Most States in US by adopting the IGCC (International Green Construction Code) and IEG
(International Energy code)
 Foreign Gov following the US building Codes model.
 In addition, LEED looks-alike standards around the globe.
PLANUL
NAȚIONAL DE
CERCETARE-
DEZVOLTARE ȘI
INOVARE. - HG
nr. 583/2015 -
aprobarea
Planului naţional
de cercetare-
dezvoltare şi
inovare pentru
perioada 2015–
2020 (PNCDI III)

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 19

Introduction to Sustainable Design

Internationally recognized sustainable design standards.
Sustainability Policy Statement – SAMPLE OF TYPICAL STATEMENTS:
“In order to manage assets and operations in a more sustainable manner, while considering both economic and social
benefits and costs, our lines of business and staff offices will strive to:

• Achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions;

• Reduce energy intensity in Agency buildings and petroleum fuel consumption in Agency vehicles;
• Increase use of renewable energy and alternative fuels;
• Improve water use efficiency and management;
• Incorporate high performance sustainable building guiding principles in the siting, design, construction, leasing,
acquisition, operation, maintenance, and deconstruction of Agency facilities;
• Minimize waste, prevent pollution, and maximize reuse and recycling of remaining waste;
• Reduce the amount of toxic and hazardous chemicals and materials acquired, used, and disposed of through source
reduction;
• Promote electronics stewardship by utilizing energy-efficient and/or environmentally preferable products and features;
• Advance sustainable acquisition by training Agency personnel and promoting green purchasing practices with
responsible vendors;
• Continuously improve environmental performance through formal implementation of environmental management
systems;
• Undertake actions to enhance climate preparedness and resilience; and
• Develop, implement, and annually update a Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan that prioritizes Agency actions
based on lifecycle environmental benefit and return on investment.”

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 20

copyright michael perciali 10

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
Internationally recognized sustainable design standards.
Sustainability Policy – SAMPLE OF A TYPICAL STATEMENT – Key Words

 ensure that at least half of the required

 improve energy efficiency
 reduce greenhouse gas emissions of the
agency,
o ‘‘greenhouse gases’’ means:
o carbon dioxide,
o methane, nitrous oxide,
o hydrofluorocarbons,
o perfluorocarbons, and
o sulfur hexafluoride;
 through reduction of energy intensity
o ‘‘energy intensity’’ means energy
consumption per square foot of building
space, including offices, industrial and
laboratory facilities
renewable energy consumed by the agency
in a fiscal year comes from new renewable
sources,
‘‘renewable energy’’ means
o energy produced by solar, wind,
biomass, landfill gas,
o ocean (including tidal, wave,
current and thermal), geothermal,
o municipal solid waste, burning
o new hydroelectric generation
capacity achieved from
 increased efficiency or
 addition of new capacity at an
existing hydroelectric

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 21

Introduction to Sustainable Design

Internationally recognized sustainable design standards.

The Boyer Report: Seven Principles for Action

 Contributed by AIA Knowledge Resources Staff Adapted from the Boyer Report
Revised December 2006
SUMMARY
 Building Community: A New Future for Architecture Education and Practice—
published in 1996 and commonly called “the Boyer Report”—discussed the
direction of architecture education and outlined seven principles for action.

AN ENRICHED MISSION

 “We recommend that schools of architecture should embrace, as their primary

objectives, the education of future practitioners trained and dedicated to promoting the
value of beauty in our society; the rebirth and preservation of our cities; the need to
build for human needs and happiness; and the creation of a healthier, more
environmentally sustainable architecture that respects precious resources” (p. 27).

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 22

copyright michael perciali 11

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
Internationally recognized sustainable design standards.

LEED v4 for
BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Updated October 1, 2015
Includes:
LEED BD+C: New Construction
LEED BD+C: Core and Shell
LEED BD+C: Schools
LEED BD+C: Retail
LEED BD+C: Data Centers
LEED BD+C: Warehouses and Distribution Centers
LEED BD+C: Hospitality
LEED BD+C: Healthcare
LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors
LEED ID+C: Retail
LEED ID+C: Hospitality

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 23

Introduction to Sustainable Design

Internationally recognized sustainable design standards.
Net Zero Energy Buildings:

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 24

copyright michael perciali 12

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
Internationally recognized sustainable design standards.
Net Zero Energy Buildings:

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 25

Introduction to Sustainable Design

The architects’ role in a sustainable design team practice
“This is a team effort, include your customer in this team”
By design, we as architects along with our consultants, working for Corporate Clients
need to help customers to achieve and exceeds their sustainability goals.
Our help comes in the form of:

• Listening and understanding their goals

• Relate these goals to worldwide goals of achieving a sustainable planet for the
benefit of all.
• Be knowledgeable of industry standards, success and failure when implementing
sustainable features in projects.
• Recommend and document the benefit of introducing suitable features on a case-by-
case basis, judging the appropriateness of each to a specific projects type, sites
conditions, local climate, budget and schedule.
• Customer’s internal sustainable policies are more likely to be implemented as
opposed to LEED or similar global standards.
• Architects cannot and should not impose sustainable standards on any of our
customers, as these are not “code requirements” – they are optional at the moment.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 26

copyright michael perciali 13

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
The architects’ role in a sustainable design team practice
Net Zero Energy, Water, Food, and Waste; Closed Loop; Sustainable; Socially
Supportive; and Smart Building / Site
The concept “Net Zero Energy Building Concept” (NZEB) means that the entire site will use only
renewable energy and will be self-sufficient with the use of high efficiency heat pump technology, solar
harvesting, and other renewable energy depending on the regional site location. The site will also be
self-sufficient by harvesting and recycling its own water.
The buildings will use sustainable design and materials; and the most environmentally sensitive
products and equipment, meeting LEED®, Whole Building Design®, and EnergyStar® standards. The
facilities will also be built with environmentally save and human save products.
Wood
 FSC certified wood* Windows and Glazing
Exterior Siding, Trim, and Decking  Triple Glazed Windows*
 Advanced framing techniques
 Fiber Cement Siding
(insulated headers etc)*  High Efficiency Windows*
 Steel Thermal Panel (Curved Metal
 Formaldehyde free FSC certified  Energy Star Rated Windows*
Insulated Panel)*
kitchen cabinets*  Thermally broken windows*
 Thermally Broken Panel System*
 No VOC Cabinets w recycled content*  High Efficiency Glass
 Low VOC Trim*
 No Added Urea-Formaldehyde, FSC-  Special Insulated “Night-time
 Composite Decking and Rails* certified* thermal curtains”*
 Wood Veneer Cabinets*  Special Insulated”Night-time thermal
 Bamboo Cabinets panels over glazing”*

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 27

Introduction to Sustainable Design

The architects’ role in a sustainable design team practice
following LEED standards :
LT CREDIT: SENSITIVE LAND PROTECTION
Intent
To avoid the development of environmentally sensitive lands and reduce
the environmental impact from the location of a building on a site.
Option 1.
Locate the development footprint on land that has been previously
developed. OR
Option 2.
Locate the development footprint on land that has been previously
developed or that does not meet the following criteria for sensitive land:
ETC

SS PREREQUISITE:
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY POLLUTION PREVENTION
Intent
To reduce pollution from construction activities by controlling soil
erosion, waterway sedimentation, and airborne dust.
Intent
To create exterior open space that encourages interaction with the
environment, social interaction, passive recreation, and physical
activities.
ETC

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 28

copyright michael perciali 14

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
The architects’ role in a sustainable design team practice
following LEED standards: WATER EFFICIENCY (WE)
WE PREREQUISITE: OUTDOOR WATER USE REDUCTION
Intent
To reduce outdoor water consumption.
Intent
To reduce indoor water consumption.
ETC

ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE

EA PREREQUISITE: FUNDAMENTAL COMMISSIONING
AND VERIFICATION
Required
Intent
To support the design, construction, and eventual operation of a
project that meets the owner’s project requirements for energy,
water, indoor environmental quality, and durability.
Intent
To reduce the environmental and economic harms of excessive
energy use by achieving a minimum level of energy efficiency for
the building and its systems.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 29

Introduction to Sustainable Design

The architects’ role in a sustainable design team practice
following LEED standards:
MR PREREQUISITE: STORAGE AND COLLECTION OF RECYCLABLES
Intent
To reduce the waste that is generated by building occupants and hauled
to and disposed of in landfills.
Intent
To reduce construction and demolition waste disposed of in landfills and
incineration facilities by recovering, reusing, and recycling materials.
Intent
To encourage the use of products and materials for which life cycle
information is available and that have environmentally, economically, and
socially preferable life cycle impacts. To reward project teams for
selecting products verified to have been extracted or sourced in a
responsible manner.
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (EQ)
EQ PREREQUISITE: MINIMUM INDOOR AIR QUALITY PERFORMANCE
Intent
To contribute to the comfort and well-being of building occupants by
establishing minimum standards for indoor air quality (IAQ).
Intent
To prevent or minimize exposure of building occupants, indoor surfaces, and
ventilation air distribution systems to environmental tobacco smoke.
Intent
To reduce concentrations of chemical contaminants that can damage air quality,
human health, productivity, and the environment.
Intent
To give building occupants a connection to the natural outdoor environment by
providing quality views.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 30

copyright michael perciali 15

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
The architects’ role in a sustainable design team practice
following LEED standards:

INNOVATION (IN)
IN CREDIT: INNOVATION
Intent
To encourage projects to achieve
exceptional or innovative performance.

REGIONAL PRIORITY (RP)

RP CREDIT: REGIONAL PRIORITY
Intent
To provide an incentive for the
achievement of credits that address
geographically specific environmental,
social equity, and public health priorities.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 31

Introduction to Sustainable Design

The architects’ role in a sustainable design team practice
 By design we can improve the quality of life in our projects while meeting
sustainability goals, example:
 Orientation on Site – they cost nothing yet have a great role in saving energy:

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 32

copyright michael perciali 16

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
The architects’ role in a sustainable design team practice
 By design we can improve the quality of life in our projects while meeting
sustainability goals:
 Views – they cost nothing yet have a great role in quality of life:

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 33

Introduction to Sustainable Design

The architects’ role in sustainable design
 Case studies applicable in your projects
A photovoltaic system that includes a solar panel farm to
supplement the electricity that powers the facility. Once
operational, they’ll be able to create an ice storage
system that can be used as an additional way to keep
the chillers cool at night
…..It’s been designed with many
green features including photovoltaic
cells that will provide clean,
renewable, solar energy to cut down
on power cost. We were able to
divert 96% of onsite generated
construction waste away from
landfills, and get 31% of the total
building content (by dollar value)
manufactured with recycled material.
We expect to reduce water usage by
34% by using low flow plumbing and
having roof gardens and courtyard
landscapes with native plants that
don’t require long-term irrigation (a
process called Xeriscaping).
….also include low flow water
fixtures, ways to reduce light
pollution, and a white colored roofing
(also known as island heat roofing)
to reflect heat from the sun.

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 34

copyright michael perciali 17

 Introduction to Sustainable Design
The architects’ role in sustainable design
 Case studies applicable in your projects
Carport mounted solar cells at Southern California
serve a dual purpose energizing the power generation
system and providing a comfort for employees.
Now not only will the facility get nearly half of its daily
electricity needs from solar power, but facility staff also
will have a shady spot to park their vehicles while on
duty.
DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE
ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI
Introduction to Sustainable Design
The architects’ role in sustainable design
 Case studies applicable in your projects
Reshapes traditional office layouts into more-open work
areas, and increases the use of mobility work and
telecommuting to reduce the need for permanent workspace
and transportation. Cubicle walls might be lowered in order to
allow greater dissemination of daylight throughout the floors.
Installation of masking equipment could dampen noise.
Walls might disappear and be replaced with “soft” barriers,
such as open aisles, passageways, and small dens or
“huddle rooms” where an employee might find some privacy
for personal business.
DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE
ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI
copyright michael perciali
The solar panel project was the biggest
undertaking. The rewards from it are huge.
The project plan anticipates the $6.5 million
being recouped in energy savings over 15
years, but early results indicate that the
payback could come more quickly.
In addition to the long-term budgetary
benefits, will see an environmental return on
the investment.- is expected to generate
2,700 fewer metric tons of carbon dioxide per
year. It’s basically like taking 573 passenger
vehicles off the road. Company recently
approved the addition of 20 electric vehicle-
charging stations on campus for employee
use, with the possibility of charging fleet
vehicles in the future. Team also is exploring
the possibility of installing a battery system
that could enable the facility to capture
energy from the solar cells during the day in
order to light the facility at night.
They also converted interior and exterior
lights from fluorescent bulbs to LEDs.
35
The groundbreaking of a new regional
headquarters marked an important milestone
in the 10-year planning project to consolidate
operations in the region, while adapting the
work environment of employees there to
changing times. More than 1,600 employees
and contractors will be housed in one
building of 300,000 square feet not far from
the International Airport. The size of the new
office is substantially reduced from the
agency’s current footprint of five buildings and
more than 360,000 square feet. Cost savings
from the consolidation of five leases into one
amount in the millions of dollars over the
course of the 20-year lease. As importantly,
while managers, employees, and contractors
will have smaller areas of personal space in
which to work, they also will gain new options
in how they work, as “collaborative and
consensus based”. Among the biggest
change and challenge is the reduction in
average cubicle size from 252 square feet to
170 square feet. Conference rooms for
individual offices might now be shared
36
18
 Introduction to Sustainable Design
The architects’ role in sustainable design
 Case studies applicable in your projects

DEPT SINTEZA PROIECTARII DE

ARHITECTURA-TEORIA PROIECTULUI 37

copyright michael perciali 19