Recent Environmentally and Socially Responsible Buildings That Have Won Accolades
In 4/23, COTE (The American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment) awarded HGA a Top Ten Award, the industry’s highest honor for sustainable design, for designing the Westwood Hills Nature Center, located in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. The honor was awarded for coupling design excellence with environmental achievement.
The Westwood Hills Nature Center functions as an interpretive retreat center. It’s located in the center of a 160-acre park; prairies, forests, marshes, and a lake surround it. Used for environmental learning classes and public events, it educates and entertains patrons. By exhibiting Minnesota landscapes and wildlife habitats, the center highlights local environments while providing a respite from city life.
The Net Zero Energy/Net Zero Positive design serves to teach visitors about using energy efficiently. On-site renewable resources provide 100% of energy needs. Sustainability goals are also reached by including features such as LED lighting, rooftop solar panels, timber construction, and a geothermal heat pump.
In addition to the COTE award, this center has won at least ten other sustainability or design awards.
Exterior and Interior Views of Westwood Hills Nature Center
Secondly, in 2024 COTE awarded a Top Ten Award to Pacific Landing Affordable Housing in Santa Monica, California, designed by Patrick Tighe Architecture. On the site of a former gas station, this development now comprises 37 energy-efficient homes for vulnerable residents, including those with disabilities and limited incomes.
With its all-electric design, improved insulation, and on-site renewable energy, this project achieves net-zero energy standards and LEED Platinum certification. The building includes green spaces for residents and an interior courtyard that includes a playground for children. Additionally, it provides vital social services and commercial spaces at the street level, underscoring its commitment to supporting environmental sustainability and community needs. The residents also enjoy other common spaces, like a rooftop terrace with views towards Santa Monica Bay.
The building incorporates advanced systems that drastically reduce energy consumption compared to typical structures of this kind. The project operates entirely on electricity, utilizing cutting-edge central electric heat pump water heaters, high-efficiency split system heat pumps for heating and cooling, and electric appliances. Therefore, no fossil fuels are used. To further enhance energy efficiency, the building is insulated with high-resistance materials and features high-performance windows that minimize thermal transfer. The roof is designed to reflect sunlight and mitigate the heat island effect. Altogether, these strategies are expected to reduce the building’s energy use by approximately 44% compared to an average, code-compliant building in Santa Monica.
The project was designed for the Community Corporation of Santa Monica at a cost of approximately $15 million.
Exterior Views of Pacific Landing
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