The 13,000 square feet facility has been designed by Dallas-based Page Southerland Page, LLP and developed by McKinney’s MYCON General Contractors. It is claimed to be the only research and development facility of its type in North Texas to secure the certification.
The building incorporates several green features such as installation of solar panels on the roof which reduce energy usage by cutting down electricity supplied by the grid. Glass constitutes 95% of the facility’s envelope which allows optimum natural light penetration and outside views throughout. The exterior of the building is equipped with high-performance and low wattage lighting fixtures which slash light pollution. The building interior comprises fluorescent lighting fixtures with photocells which vary their intensity depending on the percentage of natural light.
The office furniture items, laboratory casework and accent panelling have been made from renewable bamboo as well as reclaimed materials. Creation of carpools with high albedo concrete adds to the sustainability by acting as a heat repellent. The facility also features preferred parking space for vehicles with less carbon footprint to boost the green initiative. Other eco-friendly features include employing measures to upgrade indoor air quality, procuring building materials within 500 miles of the project site, as well as protecting and repairing native habit during the construction process.
