Robert Redford Building, Santa Monica, California, USA

Located in Southern California, this LEED Platinum-certified office building occupies 1393 square meters (15.000 sq feet). The architect is Moule and Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists, from Pasadena. The 3-story building houses two offices. One of the advantages of the premise is that it’s very close to the public transportation system. The original structure was built in 1917, and then renovated in 1975. The last “platinum” renovation of the building, which cost over $5 million, began in 1999 and was completed in 2003. The engineering was made by Syska Hennessy Group.

Due to rainwater collection, landscape irrigating system, double-flush toilets and waterless urinals, the building uses 60% less water, compared with other buildings of the same type. Operable windows, sensors and other green technologies help to cut down consumption of electricity by 60-70 percent. Photovoltaic cells installed on the roof of the building produce 20 % of needed electricity. The air conditioning is closely connected with the displacement ventilation system. As in most green buildings, temperature, humidity, CO2 levels and solar radiation are always monitored. The owner of the building is Natural Resources Defense Council - a national, non-profit organization. 98% of waste accumulated during construction was recycled. Besides, during renovation only low VOC paints and construction materials were used.

By Astghik Atabekyan, www.building.am