By Ritchie Lafaille, Office Fellow
Built by Chapter Sponsoring Partner, Columbia Construction Company, this facility was designed by an integrated design team of passionate green builders.
The LEED Platinum Net-Zero Energy Building, one of the Commonwealth's first, forecasts exceptional energy reduction of 50%. The building is oriented to optimize energy production from the 290 kW rooftop photovoltaic array and minimize heating and cooling energy use. The envelope includes structural insulated panels and triple-glazed windows. The high performance mechanical system includes radiant heating and cooling, direct outside air system, mechanically assisted natural ventilation, energy recovery units, LED lighting and a closed-loop geothermal ground source heat pump system, all of which is tracked with real-time building energy management system.
The three-story 45,000 SF Net-Zero headquarters houses over 120 Mass Wildlife biologists and environmental reviewers, and is shared by the information and education program staff as well. It is a showcase for the conservation mission of the agency. The Office of Fishing and Boating Access maintain over 275 fishing and boating public access facilities statewide. Flexible by design, program areas include offices, classrooms, meeting rooms, a library, GIS laboratory, and a wet lab for research. This Net Zero Energy Building is open to the public year-round and is a venue for environmental education.