Open House at our Phoenix Office
The office is a demonstration of sustainable, environmentally-conscious renovation.
Located along Central Avenue, the main corridor of Phoenix, the project transforms what was a stark, heat generating site and building into a cool, multi-layered oasis that buffers the building from the movement and noise of the street and creates a canopy that shades the building from the hot Arizona sun. The subdivided interior was opened up, creating a light-filled studio that encourages collaboration and discussion. Multiple strategies minimize impact on the environment: careful removal of unwanted exterior finishes eliminated need for major changes to the existing building shell, whilce a bold insertion of a transformative reception/conference room divider/table piece maximized usage of existing space. Out front, scavenged concrete sidewalk remnants became as porous driveway surrounded by native Sonoran desert trees, grasses and cacti. A street-side courtyard composed of brightly colored, translucent eco-resin panels shields against noise and provides usable outdoor space.
Thanks to all of our clients, compatriots and kin for joining us for a great night.
Energy Award received
The award was the highest award ever given by San Diego Gas & Electric, and was apart of SDG&E’s Savings By Design Program which awards buildings that are exceptionally energy efficient.
The High Technology Building employs natural lighting, extra insulation, a computer-controlled heating and cooling system, and light-switch controls controlled by occupancy sensors. These green features have helped earn the community college cash incentives from San Diego Gas & Electric Company through the statewide Savings By Design program. Efficiency measures designed into the $32 million, 107,000-sq.-ft. science building will save the district about $275,000 annually in energy costs compared with a conventional building. That equates to a savings of about 1.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, or enough to power about 200 medium-sized homes annually. “When you look at the cost of energy — for electricity, gas, water and sewage — it continues to rise,” said Mike Ellis, the Director of Facilities at Palomar College. “The more we can control the costs in the design phase, the cheaper we can operate these buildings forever.”
The High Tech Lab wins Energy Award
The award was a part of San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)’s Savings By Design program, an incentive program aimed at encouraging whole building integrated design. The award is the largest ever given by SDG&E. The Lab will save approximately 1.3 million KWH of electricity and 100.2K of electric demand, and is expected to save the Palomar College District over $100K a year.