The Packard Foundation’s 49,000-sf headquarters recently achieved Net Zero Energy Certification through the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), making it the largest such building in the world. The Los Altos, Calif., structure generated more than enough electricity to meet its needs during the first full year of occupancy.
Sustainable strategies that allowed the building to achieve Net Zero and LEED Platinum certifications include:
- Electricity production via 915 rooftop solar panels
- Effective use of daylight to supplement artificial lighting
- Efficient heating and cooling using innovative chilled beam technology
- Storing up to 20,000 gallons of rainwater for irrigation and toilet flushing
- Use of living green roof and rooftop gutters to assist with rainwater collection
- Recycling 95% of materials from pre-existing buildings
- Crafting all interior doors from locally salvaged eucalyptus trees
- 100% outside air for ventilation
- Desktop alerts that indicate when doors and windows can be opened for natural ventilation
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