 | NREL's Research Support Facility was among the top green buildings cited by the AIA in 2011. Credit: Dennis Schroeder, NREL |
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) selected the top ten examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions on April 14. The new Research Support Facility at DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) was among the projects on AIA's Committee on the Environment Top Ten Green Projects list, now in its 15th year. The jury noted that NREL's structure serves as a challenge to the building industry and a blueprint for it to pursue low-energy performance projects. The Green Projects program celebrates projects that result from thoroughly integrated approaches to architecture, natural systems, and technology that include the use of sustainable or renewable construction materials.
Working in NREL's state-of-the-art Research Support Facility is one of the best things about my job at NREL!
ReplyDeleteIt is such a pleasure to work in one of the most (if not THE most) energy efficient building in the world. And I take a great deal of pride in working for an organization that truly is "walking the talk"! Not only is our building beautifully designed and comfortable, but it is also highly efficient -- from both an energy AND a business perspective.
The New York Times recently published a great feature story that captures what life is like in our "living laboratory":
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/science/15building.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=soaking%20up%20the%20sun&st=cse
The takeaway? In addition to the long-term cost savings, businesses should factor worker satisfaction into the ROI when considering energy efficient building design and building retrofits.