Case Studies

Submit Case Studies to WBDG!

The WBDG is seeking case study examples that demonstrate the Whole Building Design process. The template below has been developed to get at information specific to that process so that others may learn and implement these concepts into future projects:

Case Study Template (MS Word 48 KB)

To submit a project to WBDG, please insert text in all sections as requested. Maximum words counts have been provided. If information is not available or not applicable to the project, simply type N/A in the space. Send the completed template to the WBDG Site Manager with any additional information you feel would be pertinent. The site manager will review the template and forward it to the appropriate committee for consideration.

EPA Region 8 Headquarters NEW!

Project Size: 248,849 RSF
Building Type: Leased Office Building
Project Type: New Construction

The design and construction of the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 Headquarters in Denver, Colorado came as a result of outgrowing a leased space and having staff displaced over 23 floors in two separated towers, in the Denver Place building in downtown Denver. Additionally, the previous situation presented security risks and the building's character did not reinforce EPA's core mission of sustainability. Moving to a new building created the opportunity to consolidate EPA's staff on fewer floors, increase building security, and emphasize sustainability through the building's design, construction, and operations.

Center for Neighborhood Technology

Project Size: 13,800 ft²
Building Type: Institutional
Project Type: New Construction

The Center for Neighborhood Technology purchased an abandoned light industrial building that dates back to the 1920s when it originally served as a textile factory. CNT planned the green renovation as a model template and educational program to demonstrate to industry specialists, building professionals, and the general public that green renovation can be achieved, economically, efficiently, and without compromising aesthetics. Rather than pursuing state-of-the-art techniques and materials (which are often costly), CNT chose to integrate "state-of-the-shelf" technologies to affordably reduce the building's energy costs and to demonstrate to the community that simple choices can have substantial energy savings.

EPA New England Regional Laboratory

Project Size: 72,000 ft²
Building Type: Single story laboratory and administrative office office and support space, with hazardous materials storage building and boat storage
Project Type: New construction

The EPA's New England Regional Laboratory (NERL), a project constructed by Acquest Development Company in Chelmsford, Massachusetts has been an industry leader in its Construction Waste Management (CWM) program since its completion in June of 2001. From conception the project was charged to "make use of the best commercially-available materials and technologies to minimize consumption of energy and resources and maximize use of natural, recycled and non-toxic materials." During design, a large number of building products with high recycled content were specified, diverting large quantities of otherwise waste by-products from becoming landfill. Finally, exemplary construction waste management on site, throughout construction has surpassed current building practice and set a new standard for the industry. This building contains 24 laboratories with laboratory support space, administrative office and support space, conference rooms, training rooms, a computer room, lunch room, and a library.

NAVFAC Building 33

Project Size: 156,000 ft²
Building Type: Office building
Project Type: Renovation/Modernization

The project, completed in July, 1998, is located in the Washington Navy Yard, an historic district in Washington, DC, and included complete renovation of four existing historic industrial structures and construction of one new linking structure for office, conference, and support spaces. The project consists of an "L" shaped main building linked to a cluster of three smaller courtyard buildings, providing approximately 156,000 gross square feet of office and conference space.

One and Two Potomac Yard

Project Size: 654,000 ft²
Building Type: Office building
Project Type: New Construction

One and Two Potomac Yard represent one of the first "green," new speculative office building projects in the Washington, DC area. The project is located on a formerly abandoned railroad yard in Arlington, Virginia. Within this urban setting, the two twelve-story buildings total 654,000 SF and consist of office and retail spaces as well as a fitness center for use by building occupants. One and Two Potomac Yard has earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System® Gold for New Commercial Construction (NC) certification.

Strategic Computing Complex

Project Size: 300,000 ft²
Building Type: Super computing facility with office space
Project Type: New construction

The Strategic Computing Complex (SCC) is a 300,000 square foot facility built specifically to house world class super computers and a nuclear weapons design staff. The facility design staff had to carefully consider and balance safety, security, efficiency, life cycle costs, working conditions, and the need for flexibility to address changing computing technology. The project went through the planning phases from late 1997 through 1999. The design/build contract was signed in October 1999 and the building was completed in December 2001.