PORTLAND, OR - TVA Architects' innovative adaptive reuse of the Social Security Administration Teleservice Center in Auburn, WA, has resulted in a LEED® Silver Award, as recently announced by the U.S. Green Building Council.
TVA was selected as the lead architect on the federal government's General Services Administration project through a national competition held in 2003. As part of the GSA's "Design Excellence Program," the project became an exercise in reclaiming and recycling a minimally used federal asset - a drab World War II military warehouse - and converting it into a 120,000-square-foot, first-class, contemporary office space worthy of the 21st century to house a Social Security Administration call center.
Sustainable features include preserving over 75 percent of the original structure, recycling over 80 percent of demolition and construction debris, implementation of a raised access floor and efficient underfloor air distribution system, abundant daylighting and energy-saving lighting controls, indoor air quality measures, 30 percent water-use reduction, 10 percent recycled content of building materials, a landscaped bio-swale/security buffer that treats and infiltrates 98 percent of surface stormwater runoff, and a percolation trench that treats and infiltrates 100 percent of roof stormwater. TVA's integrated, synergistic design approach also shortened the construction phase by one year, resulting in significant time and budget savings.
According to TVA design principal Robert L. Thompson, FAIA, "Achieving LEED Silver and giving an old building an exceptional new lease on life should further encourage the government's efforts in environmental stewardship, responsibility to the taxpayer, and use of resources in an innovative and sustainable manner."
"This facility is one that both the community and its customers can be proud of," stated Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chair of the USGBC. "The Auburn, WA, SSA Teleservice Center is a showcase for high-performance, energy-efficient, healthy workplaces, and an inspiration for others."
In addition to TVA, the project design team included sustainability consultant Konstrukt, IA Interior Architects, RoseWater Engineering, Glumac International, KPFF Consulting Engineers, Murase Associates, Absher Construction, and CNJA Architects.
The project previously garnered a GSA Design Honor Award for Sustainability/Adaptive Reuse - one of only four Honor Awards in 2006. It also received a 2007 GSA Environmental Award for Sustainable Design/Green Buildings, and a Public Buildings Service "Reclaim Award" for capital projects exhibiting excellence in construction and demolition waste management.
