While NASA’s shuttle program has come to an end, other, more earth-bound NASA programs are just beginning.

The goal of one new program, Renovation by Replacement (RbR), aims to achieve sustainability by replacing dated, inefficient buildings with new, high-performance ones. Building N232, otherwise known as Sustainability Base, was the first to undergo transformation on the 213-acre NASA Ames Research Center. This new 50,000-square-foot office, research and conferencing facility — created through a partnership between AECOM, William McDonough + Partners, Loisos + Ubbelohde, and collaboration with NASA’s researchers and consultants — is “a lunar landing station on earth.”

As the first building in 20 years to be built at NASA Ames Research Center, it was likely going to have the smallest environmental footprint and be a healthier work environment than any of the other buildings on the campus. But, in the spirit of exploration, the project team took Sustainability Base further. The result is a building that sets the tone for a change-management process focused on building a sustainable campus infrastructure.

Principles to Design By

Three proven economic principles are put into practice on Sustainability Base: lean, mean and green. Lean is the practice of using the least resources possible, mean is the method of achieving highest output using low-cost/passive strategies, while green exploits renewable power generation to its greatest capacity with regard to human health. Keeping these three principles in mind, the project team was able to achieve a net-zero facility that is projected to save approximately $30,000 per year in energy savings. Without roof-mounted solar panels, Sustainability Base achieves 87 percent better energy performance over ASHRAE 90.1 and goes beyond 100 percent with the panels.

Two, two-story structures are joined by a glass bridge to make up the facility that is designed to achieve LEED Platinum. The radial plan references the sites’ circular driveway access, while the narrow depth of the building, 55 feet, enables operable windows on both sides to take advantage of the local climate for natural ventilation and daylighting.

AECOM’s June Grant, project manager for Sustainability Base, says that the key to the building’s achievements was an understanding that the whole comprises the parts. “There is a tendency to view sustainable design as a list of features,” says Grant. “In fact, for buildings with high goals, such as Sustainability Base, these features must operate as an integrated unit. On average, AECOM and consultants estimated as a base case before green features, NASA Ames’ energy use for per California Code ASHRAE Standard 90.1 energy consumption would have been 850 mWh and 1 million gallons of potable water per year respectively. As a result of an integrated approach, energy use is expected to be net positive at approximately 200 mWh/year, and water consumption should be reduced by approximately 87 percent.”

Grant goes on to explain that the engineers on the project undertook a great deal of simulating and prototyping to optimize the strategies used to tie systems together, including façade performance, daylighting and interior electric lighting. And it was through this analysis that some problems with the desired design solutions were found. “Initially, the desire was for a fully naturally ventilated building,” she says. “However, analysis showed a case for zero air-conditioning was not practicable. During peak summer, interior temperatures would have peaked at around 97 F, and it was estimated that 16 days of a year would be lost.

“As a result, Sustainability Base is designed with a mixed-mode ventilation system. Operable windows will allow the building to be cooled naturally and, when necessary, augmented by a chilled ceiling and underfloor air distribution system.”

Structured Systems

Grant says that one of Sustainability Base’s initial design goals was to create a bolted building for easier dismantling of all steel members. That idea was abandoned for noncompliance with structural code since the base is required to meet high structural and safety standards similar to emergency services. But the idea of creating a long-lasting structure with reuse possibilities, as well as achieving a higher performance life-safety level, stuck. That idea led to a unique solution.

“One of the most visible aspects of the new facility was its innovative steel-frame exoskeleton, which required close coordination between the architects and structural engineers, who utilized Revit Structure software,” says Grant. “Revit Architecture, in tandem with Revit Structure, enabled transparency in identifying structural changes which impacted the architecture.”

The exoskeleton offered structural support, while also supporting other goals. It allowed the architectural and engineering team to maximize daylight and natural ventilation and helped to create a column-free interior for flexible space planning. Additionally, the structural system relates to the history of other NASA structures.

NASA Inside

It wouldn’t be a NASA project without incorporating some of the cutting-edge technology available to the organization into the project. And given that research is part of Sustainability Base’s function, it was an opportunity to learn more about the building and how its systems perform.

“Like the old Intel advertisement,” Grant says, “the heart of Sustainability Base is the diagnostic devices which have been installed into the building. NASA research such as the Forward-Osmosis Water Recycling System, Intelligent Control Technology and Prognostics devices will provide continuous data about the building from which NASA will be able to monitor and fine-tune its performance. 

“Like a lunar module, Sustainability Base is alive. From its computer-operated windows and intelligent solar sensitive lighting and interior shade devices, Sustainability Base is an adaptive ‘lunar module’ on earth.”

The Sustainability Base also incorporates numerous water-conserving strategies as a part of its overall commitment to sustainability and setting the tone for later NASA projects. The collaborative effort on this project shows what a committed team can do when it reaches for the stars.