The General Services Administration’s (GSA) San Francisco Federal Building has been lauded as a model of sustainable architecture by the Federal government, industry leaders, NGOs, and professional organizations nationwide. The building stands 18 stories tall and has 523,000 square feet of rentable space.
Siting. Located at the south end of the city’s Civic Center, the Federal building contributes to a process of urban renewal in a transitional neighborhood. Additionally, the location is served by numerous public transportation options, allowing employees and visitors to minimize their automobile use.
Materials. During construction, only low- or zero-toxicity building materials were used. Additionally, around 50 percent of the Portland cement used in the concrete contained blast-furnace slag. As a result, approximately 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide were prevented from being released into the atmosphere. During construction, more than 90 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfill through on-site separation.
Energy Efficiency. The building was designed to consume one-third of the energy of a typical California office building, approximately 30,000 BTUs per square foot per year. The total estimated utility bill savings to the government as a result is approximately $500,000 per year. GSA will purchase at least 50 percent of the electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power.
Water Efficiency. In an effort to reduce water usage, drip irrigation and dual-flush valves were installed on all toilet fixtures. This reduces potable-water consumption by more than 30 percent, saving more than $50,000 per year in water utility bills.
Indoor Environmental Quality. The building’s floor plan is only about 60 feet wide and was designed to allow natural light to penetrate through the workstations and into the central offices, providing light and fresh air for everyone. Occupants have the ability to open or close windows as needed, giving them direct control over their microenvironment. The natural ventilation system is so effective that air conditioning was entirely eliminated in those spaces.
Operation and Maintenance. A large, protected, sun-filled public plaza is prominently located on the property and was designed with a permeable, decomposed granite surface that allows rainwater to percolate back into the earth. This prevents surface-generated runoff pollutants from entering the San Francisco Bay, as well as provides an aesthetically-pleasing plaza for public enjoyment.
For more information, please contact David Leites at 415-522-3284 or david.leites@gsa.gov or Maria Ciprazo at 415-522-3128 or maria.ciprazo@gsa.gov.
