Page 16 - CCD-Mag-Summer-Fall-2020

Denver Water’s New Administration Building is a Focal Point for First-of-its-Kind Water Reuse Initiative
Denver Water, Colorado’s oldest and largest
water utility, recently opened its new six-story, 186,000-square-foot administration building, the central focus of its 35-acre operations complex. Global integrated design firm, Stantec, designed the building to both LEED Platinum and Net Zero Energy standards as part of the public agency’s multiphase modernization project. The firm provided master planning, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, lighting design, and sustainable design on the project. Mortensen Construction served
as the General Contractor and Trammell Crow Company was the Owner’s Representative.
Sustainable strategy for LEED and Net Zero
The innovative, new office building serves as the administrative heart of Denver Water’s redesigned campus, linking eight new or fully renovated facilities including the new warehouse, meter shop, trades and fleet buildings completed in 2017. Long and thin in its form, the building evokes a slot canyon sculpted by the natural flow of water over many years. The building form maximizes daylighting and views, while reducing the need for artificial lights. Targeting LEED-NC Platinum certification and Net Zero Energy, the building’s sustainable features include: onsite solar; a radiant slab powered by the complex’s central utility plant to conserve heat and energy; a high-efficiency triple pane-glazed window system; and biophilic design. Further ingenuity in energy efficiency is realized by tapping into one of the adjacent potable water conduits from Denver Water’s own water supply as a variable temperature heat-sync.
Denver Water Administration Building Interior Photo courtesy of Stantec
Holistic Plan for Water Use and Reuse
Perhaps the most pioneering aspect of the campus, and particularly of the admin building, is how it addresses water sustainability. Called “One Water,” Denver Water has developed a holistic plan for water efficiency and reuse that promotes the right water source for the right use. The philosophy is integrated into and around the building’s core design, through a number of effective potable and non-potable strategies, including low water-use landscaping, bioswales, wetlands for water quality and control; as well as low flow, WaterSense- labeled fixtures for restrooms, break areas, and the employee cafeteria.
The facility’s two most innovative “One Water” strategies are the rainwater capture for irrigation and onsite wastewater treatment and recycling for reuse in the building and on the site. The design of these systems
is a first in Colorado, with Denver Water working to expand state regulations, clearing the way for other new developments to work on their own One Water solutions.
Castle View High School Breaks Ground on Career Technical Education Addition
Eidos Architects and Douglas County School District celebrated a socially-distanced ground breaking at the site of Castle View High School for a new Career Technical Education (CTE) addition in late May.
The 28,000 square foot addition will feature CTE spaces for journalism, engineering and science laboratories, and supporting classrooms. The space will accommodate up to 22,000 students, grades 9-12 to support their growing student body.
The first-of-its-kind ceremony quickly transformed from a large community celebration to an invitation-only event amidst the coronavirus pandemic. All attendees were required to wear masks, gloves, and socially distance
themselves as the district broke ground on their new project.
Along with Owner’s Representative NV5, construction will be completed by Adolfson & Peterson Construction. Expected project completion date is August 2021.
16 | Colorado Construction & Design
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