Platt/Whitelaw's remodeled office features extensive natural daylighting from skylights and solar tubes, outside air delivered from roof scoups, and an unfinished, exposed ceiling that says “under construction” – appropriate for an architect's office. 

Project Info Architect Platt/Whitelaw Architects Builder Cantamar Construction Project Size 5,000 sq. ft. Sustainable Features Building envelope Use of “Kalwall” for translucent roof Alternative Framing Steel stud framing and trim Windows/daylighting Translucent skylights, tube skylights Energy efficiency High-efficiency HVAC & lighting Roofing system Cool Roof (reflective, insulative and emissive) Air Supply Passive-partial-full methods for ventilation and air movement Sustainable lumber Agricultural waste board – sunflower seeds Non-toxic materials Paint, carpet, base molding, cork Recycled Materials Steel studs (content), reception counter (reuse) Construction waste mgmt. Demolition materials reuse (ceiling & demising wall framing)

For the past 20 years, Platt/Whitelaw Architects has conducted ongoing research into sustainable design principals and techniques. In 2003, they were able to apply the expertise they use for designing their clients’ projects to tenant improvements for their own building. The ensuing design allows Platt/Whitelaw Architects to realize the pleasures and economies of sustainable design in their new workplace.

    The location and configuration of the building offered challenges in daylighting and air circulation, since the north and south walls abut neighboring businesses and have no windows, the west wall fronts a street, busy with the noise and dirt from bus and car traffic, and the east wall faces an alley. The roof, therefore, became the mediator between indoor and outdoor environments.

    The exterior walls and the roof of the existing building were retained, and construction material removed from the interior of the building was recycled. Despite the two windowless side walls, numerous skylights and light tubes added to the roof allow natural daylight into the building, reduce the use of electric lights, and increase the connection to the outside. A tubular skylight in the lobby provides enough illumination that lights in the area are never turned on during the day. Task lighting at each desk and zoned direct-indirect lighting throughout the office augment daylighting. Much of the time the direct-indirect overheads, which use highly efficient T-5 fluorescents, are not even necessary.

Strategically placed ducts bring outside in outside air from roof wind scoups.

    The ventilation strategy is three-tiered: passive; passive/mechanical; and forced air. In passive mode, wind scoops penetrating the roof capture the prevailing breezes and draw them down into the building, where they are delivered at floor level, providing the best air quality available from outside the building. In passive/mechanical mode the wind scoops are supplemented by an roof-mounted exhaust fan and ceiling fans inside the building which circulate the air for added comfort. If needed, the HVAC equipment can be operated in a “fan only” or economizer mode. In forced air mode, to maintain comfort in extremely hot or cold weather, active heating or cooling is employed. The result of this tiered strategy is that power bills are lower than with a standard, conditioned air system.

Light ducts (upper right) provide natural lighting, making use of artificial lighting unnecessary much of the time. Open-ceiling offices provide natural air flow.

    To reduce the cooling load, highly-efficient insulation and a white membrane have been installed on the roof, creating a “cool roof” which reflects much of the sun’s heat energy. Installation of exterior roof insulation also allowed reduction in interior ceiling finishes.

    Platt/Whitelaw chose finish materials based on their environmentally-friendly qualities. The most noticeable is the post-agricultural waste product “Biofiber” boards, created from fiber and sunflower seed hulls, and used to create desks and trim. Any building element not requiring finishes was allowed to remain unfinished. Purchase of new furniture and fixtures was minimized by finding, salvaging, and reusing materials from the prior office and other locations. The reception desk, shelving, cabinetry, filing cabinets, seating, and storage units were not new.

    AThe carpet-tile flooring system allows removal and replacement of damaged areas a tile at a time, rather than a room at a time, reducing maintenance cost and waste. The carpet tiles contain 51% recycled content, their integral rubber mat is recyclable, and its manufacture is more environmentally friendly than vinyl products. The custom-designed steel shelving contains an extremely high level of recycled material because it is fabricated from steel framing studs.

All interior window and door frames and office shelving are made from “Biofiber” boards, made from sunflower seed hulls, as used in this storage cabinet on the right. Book shelves on the left are made from recycled steel framing.

    Durability and flexibility are important strategies in reduction of waste and long-term cost. Building systems, finishes and fixtures were designed for long use and adaptability to changing needs.

    Platt/Whitelaw’s contractor, Cantamar Construction, was chosen in part for their willingness to implement the sustainable design vision responsibly. They actually improved the design by suggesting that the excess Biofiber board cutoffs from the built-in desks be used to trim the doors and windows, reducing construction waste and cost. Platt/Whitelaw considers this enhanced sense of partnership between architect and contractor to be another benefit of sustainable design.

    Platt/Whitelaw also conducts its daily operations mindful of the tenets of sustainable living and have adopted the following program:

Divert resources from waste stream

• Recycle – paper, all plastics including plastic films, cardboard, containers are recycled by Recon, batteries and fluorescents
• Reuse –use blank side of waste copy paper before disposal

Reduce consumption

• Conserve energy
• Conserve materials – print and copy two-sided, use blank side of waste copy paper before disposal, repair broken furniture and fixtures rather than summarily replace
• Collect and use rainwater

Reduce Pollution

• Reduce harmful chemical use/emissions – use environmentally friendly cleaning products and methods, use benign solvents and glues
• Reduce carbon footprint

Make a difference

• Educate – each other, our colleagues, our neighbors, our government
• Inspire – practice what we preach, preach what we practice.

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