High Performing Buildings - Fall 2013 - (Page 7)

A l l i A n c e c e n t e r A Google search on “the greenest building is the one already built” yields about 700,000 hits. So, it seems fair to say that architect Carl Elefante’s idea resonates. The owners of the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado took his message to heart when they renovated the six-story 1908 warehouse that is home to nearly three dozen nonprofit organizations. B u i l d i n g At A g l A n c e Name Alliance Center Location Denver Owner Alliance for Sustainable Colorado Principal Use Office and meeting space Occupants Thirty-three nonprofit organizations (with about 130 people) all focused on some aspect of sustainability Occupancy 95% Gross Square Footage 38,000 Conditioned Space 38,000 W hen the Alliance bought a century-old converted warehouse in 2004, the nonprofit had barely moved in before it started tinkering to improve building performance. The organization, which seeks to advance sustainability, renovated the space into a multi-tenant nonprofit center, reducing energy use to 42 kBtu/ft2, despite increased occupancy. The project provides examples of ongoing, cost-effective and relatively simple measures to reduce building energy consumption and reduce environmental impact. The Alliance Center began life in 1908 as a warehouse. Like many of Distinctions/Awards LEED Gold-EB, 2006; LEED Silver-CI, 2006; LEED Gold-O&M, 2011 its neighbors in the area near Union Station in Denver’s Lower Downtown historic district, it was strictly utilitarian in character, with post-andbeam construction, plank floors, a brick façade and an elevated loading platform served by a rail spur. More than a century later, bits of those old rail lines can still be seen peeking through the asphalt of the street out front, but the building has been transformed into an example of cost-effective high performance in existing buildings — and a ENERGY STAR Leader (85 rating), 2006 USGBC National Leadership Award for Education by an Organization, 2006 When Built 1908 (Kennicott-Patterson Transfer and Storage Building) Major Renovation 2005–06 Renovation Scope Plumbing, lighting, build-out of individual office suites, cosmetic improvements including new carpet, paint, fixtures, furniture and equipment Total Cost $867,000 Cost Per Square Foot $22.82 Substantial Completion/ Occupancy 2006 Top The original 1908 post-and-beam construction is visible throughout the building and is typical of the Lower Downtown Denver warehouse district. Right Built in 1908, the Alliance Center’s building began as a warehouse for shipping companies using the nearby train station. It later served as the first official offices of the Wynkoop Brewing Company, Colorado’s first brewpub, founded by Gov. John Hickenlooper. Opposite Denver’s Alliance Center is operated according to the belief that society cannot afford not to demand high performance in all buildings. The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado aims to show how building owners can make their buildings high performance, benefiting their bottom line, the building’s occupants and the larger environment. All photos courtesy of The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado Fa l l 2 0 1 3 HigH PerForming Buildings 7

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of High Performing Buildings - Fall 2013

High Performing Buildings - Fall 2013
Commentary
Contents
Alliance Center
Malaysia Energy Commission HQ (Diamond Building)
IAQ in HPB Case Studies
EcoCommercial Building, Noida
25 York Street
Technology
Advertisers Index

High Performing Buildings - Fall 2013