U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science and Technology Center (Kansas City, KS)

Sustainable Sites

• Brownfield redevelopment site
• Near Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) (EPA) Regional Office and public transportation
• Bike racks, showers and changing rooms provided

Water Efficiency

• Rainwater capture/reuse system supplies graywater for toilets, cooling tower makeup and landscape faucets
• Sustainable landscaping (xeriscaping)
• Low-flow plumbing fixtures

Energy & Atmosphere

• Low E glass for all windows
• Energy-efficient T-5 and halogen lamps for indirect lighting and T-8 lamps for direct lighting
  5 modular natural gas-fired boilers
• 3 small, water-cooled chillers; one primary variable-speed chiller and one that employs water heat recovery
• Variable volume fume hoods

Materials & Resources

• 97% percent recycled-content building materials & furnishings
• Construction recycling diverted 72% of debris from landfills
• 76% of construction and furnishing materials from within 500 miles

Indoor Environmental Quality

• High indoor air quality with low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials
• Sequencing of finishes installed absorptive materials last
• During construction, the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system and duct work were sealed to prevent infiltration of dust or contaminants
• High-ceiling, open-bay offices with large clerestory windows allow natural light into the building

Innovation & Design Process

• Energy efficient equipment reduces laboratory process loads
• Use of captured stormwater reduces potable water use in cooling tower by 15%

“As we went through the planning process, GSA saw how close we were getting to qualifying for Gold.  They participated in additional engineering that allowed us to get over the hump.” 

- Dan Carr, SVP, CB Richard Ellis