AlfaTech Big Book - SVA Architects

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SANTA MONICA PUBL IC SAFETY FACI L ITY – LEED SI LVER

Santa Monica, CA

Type: Government, Public Safety Facility Size: 15,000 SF

This new public safety facility was the City of Santa Monica’s first major facility designed and built with the intent of minimizing its life-cycle impact on the natural environment, and thereby served as a catalyst for their sustainable city vision. The city is now heralded as one of the most progressive jurisdictions within the state of California. The building houses the fire department’s administrative offices, an emergency operations center, and the police department’s headquarters complete with a new jail and dispatch facilities.

The sustainable building strategy included: • Under-floor air distribution system • Daylighting controls • High-efficiency/low-density lighting • Recycled water for irrigation and toilet flushing • Air-cooled chillers • High-efficiency pulse boilers

The interior of the building features a two-story public lobby that is illuminated by a skylight and light walls that are sequenced to create a subtle transition of gradient light. Those entering through the public entrance are greeted by an impressive water feature that cascades from the upper plaza to a pool filled with aquatic plants in the lower plaza. Together, these measures achieve energy performance that exceeds Title 24 Code by 36%.