GSA Transforms Historic Building To Innovative Sustainable Building Model
Wayne Aspinall Federal Building and Courthouse Balances History with Modern Technology
After 23 months of construction, the U.S. General Services Administration is rededicating its 95-year old Wayne N. Aspinall Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse. Project partners will join in celebrating the completion of this project at 1:30 p.m., at 400 Rood Avenue, Grand Junction, CO, February 20, 2013. The formal ceremony is not open to the public; however, GSA and its project partners will today host a public open house with tours from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Delivering on GSA’s mission to create a more sustainable government, the goal of this $15-million-dollar project is to be GSA’s first site net-zero energy building on the National Register. Designed to achieve LEED® Platinum, this innovative model turns a 1918 building into an electric utility by having it produce as much energy as it uses. The facility is more than 50% more efficient than a typical office building as a result of the upgraded systems. If the goal of net zero is realized, the building will produce 100% of its energy needed throughout the year.
"This project is one of our crown jewels in the Rocky Mountain Region. It's been a unique project in that we've converted the building into a model of energy efficiency and sustainability, while preserving its original character. We're thrilled to have had the opportunity to give this building new life and have it continue to be an integral part of the Grand Junction community," said Susan Damour, GSA Rocky Mountain Regional Administrator.
The Beck Group and Westlake Reed Leskosky have implemented a wide range of technologies and building techniques on this project. To drive down energy consumption in the building, they've designed a geo-exchange system which is tied into the VRF mechanical system. The project has installed highly efficient lighting systems, increased insulation at the building's envelope, interior window systems which maintain the historic windows but increase thermal performance, and plug strips with desk mounted individual occupancy sensors to name a few. There are now 385 photo-voltaic roof panels that generate enough power to meet the electricity needs of 15 average American homes or 123 kw.
“What GSA did on this project cannot be carbon copied. The decisions made are tailored for this building, climate, and location; however this project can serve as a proving ground for many innovative technologies, how these technologies can work together, and how they can be implemented as a tool to support the preservation of historic buildings,” said Jason Sielcken, GSA Project Manager.
GSA has a strong commitment to historic preservation owning an inventory of 478 historic buildings, 10 of them are national historic landmarks. Today, fewer than 2,500 historic places bear this national distinction. GSA not only transformed this building into a high performing green building, it provided extensive restoration efforts that brought many of the building's original historic features back to life. For example the main lobby has been transformed from a small entry vestibule to its original grandeur; after 40 years, the three-floor height historic curved stairwell was reopened from being hidden behind a wall; and original arched windows, interior arched colonnade, decorative column capitals, marble-bordered terrazzo floor, and other historic elements are now exposed and visible in the lobby.
More building information is available at www.gsa.gov/wayneaspinall
