The integrated design team led by HOK and Weidt has decided on the project after a 10-month virtual design exercise. The team selected St. Louis in Missouri as the project site taking into account its challenging four-season climate. The fact that electricity costs in Missouri are among the lowest in the US and the region’s electrical fuel profile is 81% coal also encouraged the team to select the site as it will make the design affordable.
The Net Zero Co2urt office building spanning 170,735 square feet comprises two 300ft-long office structures that are positioned east-west. These structures are connected by two 60ft links. These links are designed to enclose an attractive courtyard for the enjoyment of building tenants.
The Net Zero Co2urt has been designed to reduce carbon emissions by 76% through energy efficiency strategies. In order to provide the remaining clean energy required to reach zero carbon emissions, on-site renewable energy systems will be constructed. These systems include approximately 51,800 square feet of rooftop and wall-mounted photovoltaic panels and 15,000 square feet of solar thermal tubes.
HOK and Weidt have stated that their focus would be on net zero emissions, not energy, since buildings are responsible for 39% of the carbon dioxide emissions in the US. According to the design team, if they become successful in creating a carbon neutral design for this difficult site, they would be able to reproduce it in any other location.
The innovative design of Net Zero Co2urt will be showcased at HOK’s booth at Greenbuild 2010 in Chicago, an event for design of sustainable buildings from 17-19 November 2010.
The Weidt Group is a specialist provider of software and sustainable design consulting services to architects, engineers, and owners in the process of building design.
