ASHRAE to move to net-zero HQ
16th January 2019
USA: ASHRAE has announced it is to create and relocate to a new world headquarters building designed for net-zero energy efficiency.
The $15.7m renovation of the 1970s-era building, approximately 10 miles north of ASHRAE’s current location in Atlanta, will create a modern, high-performance building with an anticipated net-zero operation.
“ASHRAE is excited to demonstrate innovative leadership in our industry by transforming an existing commercial building into a state-of-the-art built environment,” said ASHRAE president Sheila J Hayter. “We want our new world headquarters to be an example of all that we stand for as a society and all that our industry has to offer. This project will serve as an exemplary model for other organisations looking to incorporate similar approaches and designs into new and existing facilities across the globe.”
ASHRAE says renovated world headquarters building will be designed to provide a technologically updated, cutting edge work space for ASHRAE members, staff and the public.
The 67,000ft² three-storey office building will be renovated to reduce energy consumption to a level below 22kbtu/ft²/year, with a limit of maximum daytime plug load to 0.5W/ft².
“We believe that renovating existing buildings represents the single best opportunity for making a significant impact on sustainability, resiliency and energy efficiency,” Hayter explained. “Reuse of existing buildings and the embodied carbon in those structures is the ultimate form of sustainability. Our challenge is to undertake a retrofit process that will address the uniqueness of this building and to do so cost effectively.”
ASHRAE plans to move into the new building by October 2020.
