NASA Sustainability Base

NASA Sustainability Base is located on the campus of NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California.^[1] It was named in recognition of the first human outpost on the moon, Tranquility Base.^[2] It was designed to exhibit and test the latest energy-saving technologies as part of the federal government's drive to eliminate fossil-fuel consumption in all new government buildings by 2030. The building was not initially conceived as a "sustainability base", but associate director Steven Zornestzer worked with architect William McDonough to create an energy-efficient building for the 21st century.^[3] McDonough, previously published "Cradle to Cradle", which argued for building architecture to move out of the "life cycle" model (birth, use, and disposal) and become a more circular system, lasting for indefinite periods of time. This belief, along with other influences from looking at urban design and architecture through a biological perspective, provided inspiration for the NASA Sustainability Base.^[4] Energy-saving features include water recycling, fuel cell electricity generation, natural lighting, solar panels, and a geothermal well system.^[5] The building takes advantage of the sun's arc and winds from San Francisco Bay in addition to being able to adjust to changes in sunlight, temperature, wind, and occupancy.^[6] Also, the building had normal budget and actually a shorter than normal production time.^[7] One of the nation's greenest buildings, the NASA Sustainability Base was awarded the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum status.^[8] It was completed in December 2012 and cost $27.8 million.^[2]

The building also employs biofeedback systems for employees, providing an energy monitoring dashboard to review personal energy consumption habits over time.^[9] Work areas are open and collaborative, with a few private offices, "huddle" rooms, and quiet study and library areas. Waste and refuse are either recycled or collected.^[10] They are testing a gray water recycling system, using a three-stage process to reclaim water from sinks and showers. This, along with other water-saving features, have reduced this building's potable water demand by 85-90% of a similarly-sized office building.^[11]

Design

The orientation and the lunar-shape design of this 50,000 square foot base allows it to take advantage of the prevailing winds of San Francisco Bay and the sun’s arc.^[2]^[6] The sustainability base receives an unobstructed flow of air, due to structural supports on the exterior of the building.^[5] The building’s narrow width of 54 feet and its floor-to-ceiling windows also allow daylight to reach every inch of the floor.^[12]

Sustainability

The sustainability base harnesses space technology, commercially available technologies, and the surrounding environment to leave virtually no ecological footprint.^[6] For example, the building features automated windows that help flush the building with cool air at night and a ground-source heat pump system.^[12] The building is also equipped with a water recovery system, in which the water used to flush the toilets is filtered and used for irrigation.^[12] As a result, the building uses about 90 percent less potable water than conventional buildings of comparable size.^[6]^[3] The building is also able to generate more energy than it needs to operate, due to the Bloom Energy Box and photovoltaic solar panels onsite.^[4]^[12] To encourage further energy conservation at the base, each employee has a personal energy dashboard that captures their energy usage.^[3]^[6]

Awards

In April 2012, the sustainability base received LEED Platinum, the highest level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.^[12]^[13] LEED is a worldwide green building certification program that includes a set of ratings for the construction, design, and maintenance of green buildings, aimed at encouraging building owners to use resources efficiently and be environmentally responsible.^[14] The sustainability base has received other national awards including the 2010 U.S. General Services Administration Award for Green Innovation; the 2011 White House Greengov “Lean, Clean and Green Award”; and the Center for Environmental Innovation and Leadership “Leadership in Innovation Award.”^[13]