Image courtesy of Tim Griffith
Image courtesy of Tim Griffith

Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center

Basalt, CO

Project Categories

Living Buildings + Net-Zero
LEED Platinum
Commercial + corporate office

Business Type

Headquarters/Commercial office

Size

16,000 square feet

This Net-Zero Energy building is in one of the coldest climates in the lower 48 states. An envelope tuned for passive operation allows the building to operate without cooling systems and very little heating to maintain comfort. Personal comfort systems are included to heat the people, not the space.

Architect

ZGF Architects

Owner

Rocky Mountain Institute

PAE Role

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

BAM

Technology design

LEED Platinum

Beyond Net-Zero Energy

63

Percent better energy efficiency

than code requirements

40

Percent better water efficiency

than code requirements

Sustainability

Certifications

Living Building
Passive House
Net-Zero Energy
LEED Platinum

Progress Report

Largest commercial office to achieve Passive House
Living Building Petal Certified
Achieved 63% energy efficiency
Achieved 40% potable water efficiency
EUI of 17.2

Special features

A 83 kW rooftop PV array and off-site community PV plant will power 90-100% of the building
The project team is investigating the potential of providing additional PV-sourced power for employees to commute via electric car, taking the project beyond Net-Zero
In a section of the building, the design team is experimenting with a direct-current power system which is theorized to be more efficient than alternating-current power when traveling short distances
Rainwater reclamation with onsite pond storage
Greywater reuse infrastructure provided for future installation of full system
Passive heating and cooling

Media coverage