GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVE™ RECOGNIZES THE COUNTY OF EL PASO NEW YSLETA ANNEX FOR SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

El Paso's first building to receive this distinction

Wright & Dalbin Architects Inc. is proud to announce that The County of El Paso Ysleta Annex was recently awarded three Green Globes for achievements in sustainable design and construction. In addition, the buildings have been awarded the "Designed to Earn the Energy Star" recognition.

This is the first construction project in El Paso to achieve this distinction. The benchmarks were identified using the Green Globes™ environmental assessment and rating system for commercial buildings. “One of the goals of high performance building is to combine the innovation of environmental design with functionality." said Ward Hubbell, president of the GBI. "Buildings like The County of El Paso Ysleta Annex have achieved a balance between environmental considerations such as energy‐efficiency and a healthier and more inviting workplace for employees. They also reinforce the fact that green building is appropriate and attainable for all types of structures."

The Annex is just one of many buildings that have achieved a Green Globes rating in North America. Others include, the Clinton Library in Little Rock, Ark.; University of Arkansas’ Duncan Avenue Apartments and Community Center.; the Pfizer Inc. Clinical Research Unit in New Haven, Conn.; and Newell Rubbermaid's global headquarters.

To achieve a Green Globes rating, the team led by architect Frederic Dalbin, completed during the design process, the online Green Globes for New Construction assessment protocol. This provides an initial calculation of points the project is likely to achieve, as well as a report noting opportunities for improvement. Following completion of the assessment, a GBI authorized third‐party building science expert was engaged to review the completed construction documents, energy and daylighting modeling reports as part of GBI’s Stage I review process. The third‐party expert conducted a site visit and walked through the building with members of the project team. This site visit, which includes additional documentation review, is part of GBI’s Stage II review process. Following the Stage II review, the third‐party assessor adjusted and confirmed the percentage of points achieved. Based on this final rating, the County of El Paso Ysleta Annex achieved three Green Globes out of four possible rating.

The design has led to a substantial drop in energy and water usage due to building orientation and site development along with energy efficient envelope and systems, environmentally friendly materials, and indoor air quality. The current construction phase consists of two one‐story buildings positioned around an open space comprised of parking, landscape areas and a small plaza to maximize energy efficiency and accessibility to the buildings. The design allows for the future expansion on the site with a third building.

The intent of the multiple one‐story structure design is to provide a traditional Southwestern plaza feel between the buildings allowing users and accompanying persons to wait, elegantly providing storm water harvesting for a central landscaped space, and offering a highly visible and secure parking and open area.

Green building is good for the environment. It's energy efficient, which reduces the need to burn fossil fuels and helps fight CO2 emission—one of society's most pressing environmental issues. It also makes efficient use of water and other resources, minimizes pollution and waste, and reduces overall environmental impact.

However, as building professionals and consumers are increasingly discovering, there are as many advantages to building green as there are techniques.

For instance:
Green buildings cost less to operate because they use less energy and water, and require less maintenance.
• They have better indoor air quality because they minimize chemicals, mold and other harmful substances.
• They have excellent resale value—because green buildings are quality buildings that are built to last.
• Building green demonstrates a commitment to occupants and community, and gives a company a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
• There is peace of mind in knowing that the structures built are better for the environment, healthier for occupants and saves money over the long term.

Green buildings also offer indirect financial benefits. They are cleaner, fresher and tend to take advantage of natural lighting. Many also establish a connection to nature. They're more comfortable and offer healthful amenities such as gyms, casual meeting rooms and colorful dining areas. As a result of all this: A study conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that improving indoor air quality could save U.S. businesses up to $58 billion in lost sick time each year, with another $200 billion earned in increased worker performance.

For more information about the Ysleta Annex contact Frederic Dalbin or about Green Globes, visit www.thegbi.org.