ENERGY STAR Building Design Profile

Located in Houston, TX, Energy Center Phases I and II together represent 670,000 square feet of energy-efficient office space. In designing and developing these projects, Trammell Crow Company, the owner, was interested in exploring the many advantages that green building offers to tenants and management. The owner collaborated with HOK on the design, as sustainability is a core value of the architect. HOK follows an integrated, holistic approach to design and seeks to identify and incorporate optimal strategies.

Given that energy efficiency was a priority in both building projects, HOK and Trammell Crow used EPA's Target Finder to set goals and measure design strategies against established baselines. Energy Center Phases I and II rated 94 and 95 out of 100 respectively in the tool and achieved Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR.

Because the projects are located in the center of the energy corridor of the city of Houston, Energy Center Phases I and II represented a great opportunity to showcase efficiency. The buildings also reflect the critical importance of conserving energy — and water — particularly in the hot and humid climate of Houston. With rising energy and water prices, the economic advantages of efficiency measures are clear and the environmental benefits are abundant.

Energy-saving features of the designs include: a high-performance building envelope, low-E insulating glass curtain wall, architectural precast concrete spandrel panels, high-efficiency variable speed chillers for heating and cooling, an energy recovery wheel, and energy-efficient lighting. Additionally, the base-building system has the built-in capability to monitor and record individual tenant electrical consumption and provide monthly bills if the tenant desires, and carbon dioxide monitors are planned for the building.

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