Located at Rancho Bernardo, the newly relocated sustainable office of Swinerton Builders is a transformation of the vacant industrial storage facility. The new office is a 24,000 square feet, single-storied building, which has been designed by focusing on sustainable elements.
Seeking LEED Platinum certification, the facility has incorporated maximum sustainable design strategies in its construction. It features eight GPS-tracked skylights, which save energy as well as provide natural light to the building. Additional light enters the space through dozens of windows. Apart from that the storefront glazing has been put in place of the building’s old dock doors.
All mechanical, plumbing, electrical, data and fire sprinkler elements are exposed to fully utilise the 18-foot ceilings. The walls of open-top offices vary in height but do not extend to the roofline, maximising the open space created by high ceilings while maintaining workspace privacy.
Converted to an open patio with a garden and citrus tree, the old loading dock area in the back of the building has been used for entertaining guests. The patio is connected to the office’s large, open kitchen and lounge area by two glass garage doors. A structure composed of frameless solar panels provides shade for the patio as well as power for an electric car charging station near the building’s entrance. A 75 KW photovoltaic solar array atop the roof offsets 100% of the building’s annual energy consumption.
The building has used natural and recycled materials in its construction and design. It features recycled glass countertops and accents of repurposed barn wood and Java wood. Recycled building components and FSC-certified products as well as VOC paints, glues, and adhesives have been used during the reconstruction.
