Check out the 2021 USGBC-LA's Annual Sustainable Innovation Awards (SIA) virtual tour featuring the most sustainable buildings in SoCal in 2021.
801 Tower
2021 Sustainable Innovation Awards Merit: Water Award
The 801 Tower is a 356,195 square foot office tower in the heart of Downtown. Renovations Include:
• Variable speed drives to a subterranean water circulating pump system and rooftop cooling towers
• Completed installation of hands-free faucets, toilets, and urinals in common area restrooms
• Completion installation of auto-flush urinals and toilets in common area restrooms.
• OnDemand tenant programmed usage of HVAC during the low occupancy months of April and May
• Ongoing installation of temperature sensors throughout building programmed to BAC / EMS software system.
• Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system underneath the subterranean parking structure. The TES reduces the water usage and the carbon footprint of 801 Tower by operating during off-peak hours o The TES tank holds 750,000 cryogel ice balls. The Ice balls made of plastic polyethylene contain a special liquid to enhance crystallization. 180,000 gallons of glycol and water mix in the tank, which regenerates nightly.
More on the project achievements: http://www.gbig.org/buildings/249356
The Trust Building
2021 Sustainable Innovation Awards
Merit: Zero Waste + Circular Solutions Award
The Trust Building is a mixed-use tower in DTLA originally built in 1928. Recent renovations have both preserved the building’s historic form while drastically slashing its energy expenditure. Retrofitting the tower, rather than tearing it down to build a new one, reduced the embodied carbon necessary for decreasing operational carbon. The cultural advantage to this approach is the preservation of a classic LA landmark, central to LA initiatives like the “Bringing Back Broadway” plan that aims to preserve architectural icons of downtown. Partners such as ARG, Gensler, Morley Builders, and Gaia were key to planning and implementation. Energy and Design Upgrades:
• ADA accessibility
• Increased protection from seismic and fire hazards
• Better ventilation
• Energy efficient electrical and lighting
• Reused building envelope (savings on embodied carbon)
More on the project achievements: http://www.gbig.org/buildings/214174
Flor 401 Lofts
2021 Sustainable Innovation Awards
Merit: Equity + Environmental Justice Award
Skid Row Housing Trust’s Flor 401 Lofts are home to 98 individuals previously experiencing homelessness. Located in the heart of Skid Row, the building provides safe, open, and inviting spaces for residents with features that enhance sustainability. Part of a housing-first approach to homelessness, Flor 401 Lofts offers many services on site such as case management, addiction help, and employment resources. Sustainability was pivotal to the design since day one, and coordination among the architect, energy consultant, and engineers was key to achieving LEED Platinum certification. Community & Sustainability Design Features:
• An overall warm and inviting design around a central courtyard with ample community gathering space and natural light
• Full-service suite of mental health and case management services
• Rooftop space designed for full utilization, includes: o Solar rooftop water preheating o Solar PV system o Rooftop gardens where residents can gather
• Trees and outdoor seating line the central courtyard, providing a green space unique to Skid Row
• Water reuse system recycles laundry water for irrigation o System utilizes native plants and no conventional turf o Supported with low-flow water fixtures and a cool roof
• Bike racks and nearby transit accessibility make car ownership optional
More on the project achievements: http://www.gbig.org/buildings/209195
Kilroy Realty Corporation Southern CA Portfolio
2021 Sustainable Innovation Awards
Portfolio of the Year
KRC is a leader in its industry in many ways and a global leader in utilizing ESG’s to minimize the impact they are making within the natural and built environment through their real estate portfolio. One of KRC’s fundamentals and drivers is reducing the environmental and social impacts of their portfolio. One unique step that KRC has taken to meet this fundamental is aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), which they use as a driver to refine their objectives for the future.
Additionally, KRC has spent time and resources to obtain multiple certifications and recognitions that put them ahead of anyone else in their industry.
In 2020 alone, KRC achieved Carbon Neutral Operations, EnergyStar Certified – Sustained Excellence, #1 in Americas, Listed 2020 Global Sector Leader and Listed Office 2020 for GRESB, Leader in Light Award Office Sector 2020, Dow Jones Sustainability World Index Member 2017 -2020, Best in Building Health Fitwel Excellence Award and Most Certifications of All-Time, Green Lease Lender Gold, Bloomberg Gender Equality Index for 2020 and Organizational Leadership Award from the Climate Leadership awards.
This has culminated in KRC’s WELL Portfolio enrollment in 2020.
The vision of “Sustainable communities that protect and maintain the health and well-being of residents and visitors” has and will continue to the be the driver for KRC’s excellence inside and outside of their industry. The dedication comes from these drivers of helping the environment while protecting and maintaining the health and well-being of the people inside their buildings.
As soon as Covid started in 2020, KRC stepped up as leaders and innovators. KRC registered into the International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI) WELL Portfolio program and committed to Portfolio wide goal setting, benchmarking, Portfolio level WELL Health-Safety Ratings, WELL certifications and WELL re-certifications.
As part of this commitment to health, wellness and safety; Kilroy committed to achieving 53 WELL Health-Safety Ratings within a few months. 25 of those assets are located in Southern California, consisting of 3,523,385 sf. Kilroy easily submitted enough features to obtain the required 15 features necessary to achieve the Rating. On March 1, 2021, Kilroy achieved 53 Health-Safety Ratings, meeting 16 features, making it a first in many categories. 25 Projects in Southern California are part of those first achievements in the country and world!
Check out
this virtual tour featuring some of the KRC buildings in the greater Los Angeles.
Santa Monica City Hall East
2021 Sustainable Innovation Award
Honor: Zero Waste + Circular Solutions Award
Intended to amass and streamline access to city services, the Santa Monica City Hall East was completed in April 2020, reflects one community’s commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge, timeless design. SMCHE is the largest municipal building in the country designed to achieve full Living Building Challenge certification, including Net Zero Water and Net Zero Energy. To achieve these groundbreaking results, our team worked together closely and collaboratively. SMCHE is the first in California permitted to convert rain-to- potable water on site, and the first in the U.S. to feature more than a dozen composting toilets.
The 50,000 square-foot SMCHE was designed to complement the existing City Hall building (Parkinson and Estep, 1939.) Its simple form and “quiet” exterior glass cladding respects historic landmark’s physical and architectural prominence. The façade’s transparency offers
increased visual connection to a progressive city striving for accessible and inclusive governance. A new internal courtyard features an “edible garden,” to be harvested for use on-site and by surrounding community establishments, including local shelters for the unhoused. Tables and chairs invite lingering by city employees and the public.
Visitors to SMCHE’s first floor conduct business in a daylight-filled permit center. Staff-only upper levels increase operational functionality, as well as enhance interdepartmental synergy. Meeting rooms and offices flank open work areas modeled on contemporary non-hierarchical workplace strategies, and each floor features expansive, café-like breakrooms. Whether in conference or huddle rooms, at kitchen islands or coffee bars, or at long, window-facing desks, fluid movement and easy interaction is encouraged.
2020 Sustainable Innovation Award
Project of the Year
The city of Santa Monica’s City Hall East Building meets the world's most rigorous criteria for sustainability, resiliency and long-term cost-effectiveness. It is an inspiring model of green design aimed at efficient operations, a healthy and productive workplace, and positive contributions to one of America's most successful municipalities. Connected to historic City Hall, the building brings all core municipal operations out of expensive leased office spaces around the City into one City Hall Campus and creates a centralized hub for public counter services. The building is designed to meet cutting-edge criteria for the Living Building Challenge - all supporting the city's commitment to sustainability with goals for carbon neutrality before 2050, water self-sufficiency by 2023, and zero waste by 2030.
As a Living Building, the new facility will produce the energy and water it consumes on site. Utility costs will be saved over the life of the building and it will never have water or electric bills. Only healthy materials have been used,
In addition, the new structure must be self-sufficient and remain within the resource limits of its site - producing more energy than they use, collecting and treating water on the site, and ultimately "creating a positive impact on the human and natural systems that interact with them.”
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Park
2021 Sustainable Innovation Awards - Project of the Year
Honor: Equity + Environmental Justice Award
Honor: Water Award
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park has been vital to the unincorporated Willowbrook community, Watts, and surrounding South LA neighborhoods since its conversion from an oil tank storage site by LA County in the 1980s. Community engagement meetings were initiated in 2014 to envision the park’s current master plan. Mainly 120 acres of open space, the community is now building resources previously unavailable to most of majority Black and Latinx South LA within the park, such as a new LEED Gold and WELL certified 19,801 SF community event center. Ongoing environmental remediation presents both a challenge and opportunity in technological innovations. Community and Environmental Amenities:
• A methane mitigation and monitoring system for ongoing petroleum hydrocarbon remediation
• A storm water recycling system that collects runoff from the park and a 375 acre urban watershed, transforming the park’s manmade lake infrastructure into a Net Zero Water system
• A 19,801 SF community center that provides one of the only civic spaces in all of South LA - potential uses include conferences, events and weddings
• Enhanced security lighting and walking paths
• A splash pad and children’s play area
• Exercise equipment
• An outdoor wedding pavilion
More on the project achievements: http://www.gbig.org/buildings/1073417
Coastline Equipment Long Beach Headquarters Building
2021 Sustainable Innovation Awards
Merit: Energy/Operational Carbon Award
Coastline Equipment’s Long Beach HQ is the 22,800 SF official dealer and retail space for John Deere, Writgen, and Hitachi. Sustainability was embedded in early meeting and design phases with total buy-in from architects, engineers, and owners, who attended LEED Kick-Off Charrettes. As a commercial venture, ROI was deemed a deciding factor in which sustainability measures to implement. The modern and sustainable design of the HQ is all the more significant considering that the dealership provides educational resources and wields large influence in the construction industry. Energy and Sustainability Breakdown:
• Achieved 85% of Energy and Atmosphere and 60% of Water Efficiency LEED credits
• 93.9% energy savings overall, due to: o Efficient building envelope with motorized roll down shading systems o LED lighting with occupancy sensors o Multiple HVAC zone
• Solar PV system offsets 179,887 kwh/year
• 40.8% water reduction, due to: o Low flow and flush fixtures o Native and drought tolerant plants
• 80% of construction waste was diverted from landfills
More on the project achievements:
http://www.gbig.org/buildings/1071240
Billie Jean King Main Library
2021 Sustainable Innovation Awards - Project of the Year
Honor: Health and Wellbeing Award
Long Beach’s new Billie Jean King Memorial Library replaces an older library from 1977 with an open plan timber structure adjacent to park space and the LA Metro Blue Line. The City of Long Beach formed a P3 with architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to embed sustainability and community principles into the design from initial conception of the project in 2014 up through completion. Design & Sustainability Features:
• Exposed timber superstructure with captivating display of girders, joists, and plywood decking
• Unitized curtain wall system maximizes daylight and views while mitigating solar glare
• Passive lighting and temperature regulation measures reduce energy expenditures
• Atrium space and several large meeting rooms provide flexible community event spaces
• One entrance is accessed from the street to the north, a second entrance is accessed from the park to the south
• Building’s timber overhang provides shaded outdoor area where visitors are invited to linger
• Park landscaping contains California native plants that are drought tolerant
• Easily accessible by transit (off the LA Metro Blue Line)
More on the project achievements: http://www.gbig.org/buildings/1057757
Cal Poly Pomona Student Housing
2021 Sustainable Innovation Awards
Merit: Health and Wellbeing Award
Cal Poly Pomona’s Student Housing Replacement Phase II is the keystone to an overarching mission of transforming the school’s commuter culture into an on-campus community. The project achieves a baseline 17% reduction in Energy Use Intensity and was designed with student oversight, including a committee of non-binary students for input on all gender bathroom facilities. The 980 bed and 680 seat dining hall is intended primarily for first year srudents. Design & Sustainability Features:
• All materials Red List Free
• All gender sustainable showers and bathrooms
• Spaces permeated by natural light and have operable windows with views of rolling hills, optimal for mental health o Nooks are scattered over common areas so students can enjoy sweeping views of the whole campus
• Balconies on upper floors connect all students to the outdoors
• Direct access to walking paths and greenscapes
• Irrigated with 100% grey water
• Native and drought resistant plants throughout landscaping
• Student maintained garden at entryway for herbs and vegetables
More on the project achievements: http://www.gbig.org/buildings/35628
San Bernardino Valley College Technical Education Building
2021 Sustainable Innovation Awards
Honor: Energy/Operational Carbon Award
The San Bernardino Valley College Technical Education Building is designed as a “Living Lab.” An interactive display system will communicate the building’s energy, water, and carbon emissions data in the lobby for all to see. That data will also go straight to industry partners for research. Aiming for Net Zero Energy and LEED Gold Certification, the project already operates at 31% below Title 24 status and has an annual EUI of 29 kBTU/sf/year, amounting to $25,961 in savings. Technological and Sustainability Features:
• Net-Zero operating pilot
• Interactive lobby display system will show energy usage data to occupants and industry partners
• High performance building envelope & solar response facade
• Solar chimneys with natural ventilation
• Underground water storage
• All electric mechanical design
• Rooftop solar
• Solar glazing canopy
• Solatubes
• High velocity, low speed fans
• Modular wetalnds
• Direct/indirect evaporative cooler and heat recovery chiller • DC power and battery storage demonstration
Crafton Hills College Performing Arts Center
2021 Sustainable Innovation Awards
Honor: Energy/Operational Carbon Award
The Crafton Hills College Performing Arts Center strives to integrate higher sustainability standards and strong arts programming with into campus life. The 24,100 SF center will include a 264-seat proscenium theatre, black box theatre, and backstage facilities like dressing rooms, a green room, rehearsal/office spaces, and music educational spaces. Currently targeting a Net-Zero Energy Goal and LEED Gold and Platinum certifications, the project is still in the planning phase after an intensively iterative design process. Students, faculty, and facility workers were engaged in multiple design charrettes to form a vision aligned with community goals. Design and Sustainability Features:
• The building’s Energy Use Intensity of 38 Kbtu/sf/yer will be offset with 160 KW DC of solar power from centralized campus renewable energy system (as opposed to on roof solar panels and equipment that would over burden the performing arts center with equipment maintenance)
• Exceeds Title 24 Energy Compliance by 42%
• Flexible gathering spaces that accommodate small and large groups
• Decorative shade screens create shaded courtyard spaces
• “Eddies” along circulation paths will provide natural areas for people to pause and converse
More on the project achievements: http://www.gbig.org/buildings/48786