Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Philipsburg Office Building
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The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (PA DEP) Philipsburg office building is home to the Moshannon District Headquarters. In line with several other PA DEP office buildings, design of the Philipsburg office space prioritized energy and water efficiency, a high quality indoor air environment and the use of sustainable building materials for a total cost comparative to that of a conventional office building. In addition, the eight-acre building site is located on a former strip mine, of which less than three acres was allowable buildable area. Originally consisting mostly of shale chips, this site was converted to a native meadow in conjunction with facility construction.
7group provided high performance integrative building design, energy modeling and commissioning services for this facility. After focusing on systematizing and integrating energy systems when completing energy analyses of the building, it was found that a concentration on the synergies between building systems could yield significant cost savings. Site constraints prohibited building orientation that would maximize southern wall and window exposure, resulting in alternative improved daylighting measures such as the use of several rows of clerestory windows.
Efforts were made to minimize the environmental impact of materials - over 40% of the building materials contain recycled content and over 60% were manufactured locally. This building uses 30% less water than a conventional office building, and a grey water system collects rainwater to reduce dependence on local water utilities. Savings well over 10% were achieved on the building’s total energy budget exclusively from the use of energy saving appliances. Annual energy consumption cost reduction was modeled at 21%, and water consumption reductions were projected at 20%.
Operable windows function as part of a passive comfort and fresh air enhancement strategy.
As a passive solar strategy, the offices at PA DEP Philipsburg use mirrored aluminum light shelves to reflect daylight inside.
Individual thermal comfort and lighting controls are provided for occupants of the PA DEP Phillipsburg offices, and 80% of all rooms in the building are lit using natural daylight.
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Location
Philipsburg, PA, USA
Project Owner
MBC Properties, Inc.
Architect
Davis Gardner Gannon
Pope Architecture
Building Size
15,000 sf
Cost
$6,300,000
Completed
November 2003
LEED® Status
LEED Gold (NCv2.0)
Certified
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