Boulder County Recycling and Composting Center

Project Summary

Boulder County Recycling and Composting Authority
Boulder, Colorado

Project Type:
Office Building and Recycling Center

Size:
65,000 square feet

Year Constructed / Occupied:
2000 / 2001

Project Details

Responding to client requirements for an energy- and environmentally-responsive Recycling and Composting Center, the design team created a master plan for the office building and recycling center which was sensitive to unique site conditions and to worker satisfaction, safety, and well-being. The design successfully integrates recycled building materials, passive solar heating, daylighting, and sensitivity to site. Built adjacent to a wetlands, the Recycling and Composting Center responsibly connects with local natural resources on all levels. Extensive use of daylight and recycled materials minimize resource use while creating a productive, comfortable, healthy, and safe working industrial environment.

Sustainable Design Features

Use of high-performance glazing, high R-values in the walls and roof, and high efficiency mechanical equipment.
Daylighting throughout the building — Kalwall clerestories in the processing plant, clerestories and high windows in the office area, and lightpipes in the restrooms.
LEED rating system used as a framework for sustainable design — Silver rating achieved.

Integrated sustainable design approach combining aggressive load reduction, renewable, energy systems and high efficiency mechanical and electrical systems:

Daylighting used in both the office building and the recycling center.
Natural Ventilation to reduce cooling loads.
High performance glazing tuned by orientation and function.
High efficiency HVAC and electrical light systems.
Low-environmental impact materials used throughout, with high recycled material content.