Public & Civic Qualifications

Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center

San Leandro, CA

SIZE: ACCREDIATION”

379,000 SF

LEED Gold

The firm provided the MEP engineering design for this LEED Gold certified facility and the only detention center in the nation to achieve this status. The Juvenile Hall (providing capacity for 360 minors), the administration building, and the court building cover 379,000 SF and form the full-service justice center in San Leandro, California. The USGBC awarded the project 43 points towards the certification, with a perfect score in the categories of Energy and Atmosphere, and Innovation and Design Process. The Juvenile Justice Center, which has exceeded California’s Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards by over 40%, relied on a varied strategy for achieving sustainability that included a photovoltaic solar array, bio-diesel excavation, and site clearing. Exceptional levels of efficiency were achieved in the following areas. Water-efficient irrigation technology reduces site water consumption by more than 50 percent, which saves over 5,000,000 gallons annually. Waterless urinals and water-efficient plumbing fixtures reduce water consumption by 41 percent, which saves more than 2,000,000 gallons annually. The building complies with Title 24 requirements (more stringent than national standards), but is nearly 66 percent more efficient than the baseline and saves 500 kW annually. An 880 kW solar panel array on the rooftop provides over 60 percent of the building energy demands, over 1000 MW annually. The project contracted to purchase 100 percent of the building energy needs — equivalent to 2,629 MWh — from wind generation. Ninety-three percent of construction waste was recycled and diverted from landfill, and 23,800 gallons of bio-diesel fuel were used in the site grading equipment, which saved 200 tons of CO2.

Awarded the Design-Build Excellence award by DBIA in the Public Sector Building Over $15 Million category.