Rocky Mountain Institute, CO

Project Overview

The Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center: A Model of Sustainability and Innovation

When an institute (with more than 500 experts working globally), whose mission is to help deliver a carbon free future, chooses structural insulated panels for their new headquarters, people take notice. Located in the picturesque town of Basalt, Colorado, the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Innovation Center stands out as an environmentally sustainable building, designed to showcase the institute's commitment to creating a better world for all.

Designed to be a 100 year building, the finished project is certified by top environmental certification agencies, and won an incredible amount of project awards (see below). Recognition is well deserved because the project team delivered a commercial RMI building that is beyond net-zero energy, emits no carbon footprint and produces more energy than it consumes. Hear directly from the design and planning team on their approach to this spectacular facility in the video here. 

This award-winning building is a testament to the environment, boasting a plethora of sustainable features such as a super-insulated envelope using Premier SIPS for the roof and walls creating an airtight building shell, and an appropriately sized, extremely energy-efficient HVAC system (a no cooling system and a small, distributed heating system with equivalent capacity of 1 mid sized home).

Because the RMI Innovation Center serves as a hub for innovation and collaboration for this global non-profit, the building includes open spaces, green roofs, and ample natural light that imbues the space with an inspiring and interactive atmosphere. 

Environmental Certifications:

• LEED Platinum Certified (NC v2009)
• International Living Futures Institute Zero Energy Certification Certified
• PHIUS+ Source Net Zero Certified
• Architecture 2030 Challenge Target Exceeded
• Energy Star Targeting score of 100
• International Living Futures Institute Petal Certified

Awards:

• Fast Company Innovation by Design Award
• Engineering News Record Mountain States Award: Winner, Best Green Project and Safety Project of the Year, 2016
• Architect Magazine Award ZGF named Top Firm Overall in Sustainability, 2016
• PHIUS Award: Winner, Best Overall Project and Best in Office/Institutional Category, 2016
• Associated General Contractors of Colorado Award: Winner, Best Building Project ($10–40m), 2016
• World Architectural News: Commended Project, Sustainable Building Award, 2017
• Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture & Design: Green Good Design Award - Green Architecture, 2017
• Structural Insulated Panel Association: Building Excellence Award, 2016
• CoreNet Global: Sustainable Leadership Award, 2017
• Center for the Built Environment: Livable Buildings Award, 2018
• International Interior Design Association, Oregon Chapter: Design Excellence Award – Best in the Maker Category, 2016
• AIA Portland 2030 Challenge Award Winner 2016

Building Features: 

• Insulation: The Innovation Center has more than triple the code required levels of insulation. This is due to R-50 walls, achieved with structural insulating panels, and R-67 roof, R-20 below slab, and R-5.6 windows (with frame) overall (with a range of 4.8–7.1).
• Air Tightness: One of the most airtight office buildings measured, with 0.36 air changes per hour, and 97% more airtight than the conventional commercial building, the Innovation Center uses advanced materials combined with strict construction details to avoid leakage and make the building's incredible air tightness possible. SIPs panel walls covered with two coats of air tape and air barrier applied outside the SIPs ensure tight seals among the panels.
• Daylighting: The building’s window area, narrow floor plate, southern orientation, and ‘butterfly’ roof design allow the building to be entirely daylit, reducing the need for energy-intensive internal lighting. The daylighting also increases productivity and reduces stress. Along the south façade, three-foot-deep interior light shelves bounce sunlight into ceiling surfaces deeper in the space, reducing interior lighting needs and controlling glare.
• Cooling and Natural Ventilation: Cooling and natural ventilation are achieved in several ways. First, opening and closing windows with automated controls that open low-south and high-north windows creates cooling air currents. The night before particularly hot days, a night flush brings in Colorado’s cool night air to cool the mass and interior surfaces of the building, and thermal mass reduces interior temperature swings. Concrete floors serve as thermal mass that reduces interior temperature swings by absorbing cold from night air and releasing it during the daytime. Ultraefficient air-to-air heat exchangers maintain indoor air quality and temperature by passively transferring 90% of heat or cold from the outgoing air to the incoming air. This is one-quarter the size of a normal office ventilation system. Large, energy-efficient ceiling fans help move air throughout the open floor plan. Finally, exterior automated sunshades control heat gain by opening to allow sun in when it’s cold and closing to prevent overheating.
• Windows: The Innovation Center window-to-wall ratio is 29% overall (52% on the south, 18% on the north, 23% on the east and 13% on the west). This is a good ratio for our cold climate since it maximizes southern gain while minimizing heat loss on the north. This design feature was heavily studied and finely tuned per facade as part of our passive design approach

One of the most impressive features of the RMI Innovation Center is the data visualization panel. A massive, touch-sensitive screen that displays data related to energy usage and emissions, among other things. The screen showcases the importance of data in attaining environmentally sustainable goals, which is a core part of the RMI's work.

The building exhibits the research and development of green technologies, from solar to geothermal and digital building systems. It also serves as a hub for facilitating Global RMI teams in their research and testing of advanced green innovations, practices and technologies. Learn more about the work and research of the institute here. 

The RMI Innovation Center is a symbol of hope for those who seek to move towards sustainable carbon free living. It manifests Rocky Mountain Institute's commitment to innovation, environmental conservation, and sustainability, inspiring everyone who learns and works in the building to be more conscious of their impact on the environment. This center is here to pave the way for a brighter and greener future, showing that sustainability can be combined with functionality.

Case Studies & Profiles: 

• Architect Magazine: Less than Zero
• ASHRAE.Org High Performing Buildings Profile
• RMI: One Year Insights - Includes Design Strategies & Outcomes
• Passive Institute RMI Profile
• Living Futures, Petal Certified Profile Rocky Mountain Institute
• Insight Brief: Redefining & Delivering Thermal Comfort in Buildings

The Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center Design Team: 

ZGF Architects, JE Dunn, Architectural Applications, PAE Consulting Engineer, David Nelson & Associates, True North Management, Graybeal Architects, TG Malloy, Sopris Engineering, KPFF Consulting Engineers, DHM Design, Resource Engineering Group, Collective Sun, SunPower