FROM THE AIA:
The Edith Green – Wendell Wyatt Federal Building is a model for sustainable high-rise renovations worldwide. The project team’s goal was to transform this 1974 energy hog into one of the premiere environmentally-friendly buildings in the United States. More than two years after completion, EGWW has exceeded its modeled efficiency, cutting its energy use by 55% and water use by 65% over the original building. This was achieved through innovative design strategies including a custom curtain wall and shading system, a water-catching 180 kW photovoltaic array, and a 160,000-gallon underground rainwater storage tank. Its occupants are happy too, giving EGWW an overall 75% satisfaction rating.
JURY COMMENTS:
This project transforms a generic concrete office building into a high-performance, environmentally responsive, comfortable place to work. There are a lot of existing, low-performance buildings out there that don’t contribute much to the urban fabric. In terms of impact, these are the buildings we need to address. This sets a great precedent for re-use and upgrade, and demonstrates the potential for creative, green reuse projects.
BY THE NUMBERS:
- Estimated percent of occupants using public transit, cycling or walking: 85%
- Daylighting at levels that allow lights to be off during daylight hours: 65%
- Rating Systems Awarded: LEED Platinum
- Lighting Power Density: 0.5 watts/sf
- Views to the Outdoors: 98%
- Percent reduction of regulated potable water: 93%
- Total EUI actual (kBtu/sf/yr): 30
- Net EUI actual (kBtu/sf/yr): 28
- Percent reduction from National Median EUI for Building Type (actual): 62.70%
