Award of Merit: Interior Renovation: DPR Net Zero Office

ARCHITECT: Callison Architects, P.C.
OWNER: DPR Construction, Inc.
DESIGN TEAM: KEMA (Consultant), Pacific Rim Mechanical (Consultant), Bergelectric Corporation (Consultant)
Photos by Hewitt Garrison


Serving in the capacities of owner, client, and designer/builder, DPR Construction, Inc. completed a remodel of their 24,000 sq. ft. multi-tenant office building in San Diego. The remodel completely transformed a standard suburban office building into a cutting-edge facility embracing the environment, as well as the people and culture of DPR. The building was designed to be Net Zero Energy and is currently pursuing LEED Platinum certification. Environmentally conscious elements such as natural ventilation, daylighting, efficient HVAC and lighting systems, and renewable energy via the Sustainable Communities program were all incorporated.
The interior renovation project helped the Net Zero Office achieve some significant savings, such as decreasing water usage by more than 51% through installation of low-flow fixtures, dual flush toilets, waterless urinals, 0.5 gpm lavatories, and 1.25 gpm shower heads; 60% decrease in landscape water usage by installing drip irrigation, climate control devices, and planting drought tolerant plants; reducing lighting energy consumption by 53% through installation of Solatube skylights, a savings of 29,000 kWh annually; lowering HVAC usage by 79% through the use of cross and stack ventilation strategies, and the installation of operable windows; and installation of a 64 kw-AC roof-mounted photovoltaic panel system. 75% of construction waste was diverted from landfills.
As part of the 2010 Savings By Design Energy Efficiency Integration Awards, the DPR Net Zero Office received the Award of Merit for Interior Renovation. This project was described as “a great example of reuse that demonstrates how focusing on sustainability and energy efficiency can lead in creating an exciting interior office space no matter how ordinary the shell.”
For more information about DPR Construction, please visit www.dprconstruction.com.