Responsible design was a key factor for Vans during the process of building out their current home base. This project included shell and core upgrades and tenant improvements in an existing 179,000 SF commercial office building. The building is far more efficient than a typical Title 24 building- achieving 95% energy savings over the 2005 California Energy Code used as the LEED standard at that time. The project earned a LEED Platinum certification scoring 118 points, while the range for a Platinum Score is 80-110. In addition to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services, tk1sc also provided low voltage systems design, commissioning, and LEED administration services for this project.

• Key sustainability features on this project include:
• Natural daylighting to help achieve a 54% lighting power reduction
• 56% energy use reduction
• 1,000 kW PV canopy system over parking 40% water use reduction
• 38 electric vehicle charging stations
• 75% construction waste diversion rate
• 70% FSC wood and a circulation design that promotes the health of building users through physical activity

This project used a host of holistic energy-saving strategies. This included maximizing natural daylight to reduce lighting by over 50%, reducing exterior lighting by 75%, installing high-efficiency plumbing fixtures to reduce hot water demand, and optimizing the use of free heating and cooling with ventilation air. These energy conservation measures add up to a predicted 27 EUI or an overall 56% energy use reduction. When combined with the 1,000 kW PV canopy over parking spaces, the project manages to offset 95% of total site energy use, realize a 117% energy cost savings, and provide a 96% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions that aligns with the goals set forth for 2025 by the AIA 2030 Commitment. The project further recognized the value of energy conservation by reusing an existing building to take advantage of embodied energy savings and provides 38 electric car charging stations.  The procurement of renewable energy credits rounds off the project to help establish a carbon-neutral project when considering energy use.

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From day one of the project, Vans recognized the importance of reducing the environmental footprint of their operations and products.  The project team adopted their 'Green Sole Operations' ideology to find solutions to energy savings, water savings, employee comfort, health, and community impact. The project team utilized an integrative design process that included all trades and design partners in finding the right solutions for the project that met a triple bottom line social, environmental, and financial framework. 

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Sustainability strategies were examined by project stakeholders and the design team throughout the design process to understand better the tradeoffs among energy, site, water, health, and materials choices.  Energy use reduction became a significant project driver.  We determined that many other sustainability issues would fall into place if the project team focused on energy reduction.  One fundamental strategy was to take advantage of all the available free site energy resources, including daylighting, solar energy, and economizing the introduction of outside air and then use those load reduction strategies to determine the feasibility of providing 100% on-site renewable energy.  Modeling scenarios were created to analyze the energy use considerations for each of these and weighed against financial, social, and environmental impacts. 

As part of the collaboration, a commissioning agent was an integral part of the collaborative team to ensure the owner's energy conservation expectations were met. The installed equipment met the performance standards set forth by the design team and executed by the construction team.

One of the most significant community impacts of the energy use reduction strategy for the project was recognizing how energy use impacts air quality, environmental quality, and human health.  Energy conservation measures combined with on-site renewable energy and green power procurement provide an example of how carbon neutrality can be achieved.  The carbon reduction strategies implemented on the project will last for decades to come and positively impact the health and wellbeing of the Vans community and the community at large by decreasing the introduction of air, water, and soil contaminants into our shared environment.