Photo courtesy Jacobsen Construction

The remodel of this design firm’s space is among the first in Utah to be certified by the Living Building Institute. Designed and built to reach net positive energy, the project’s biophilic design elements include living walls, gray-water systems for landscape watering and toilet flushing, highly efficient HVAC systems, a new interior courtyard and 34 photovoltaic-covered parking stalls.  

Building materials were selected with priority given to reclaimed and local materials to promote both environmental and human health. At least 20% of new materials are sourced from within 500 km of the jobsite, with an additional 30% of materials coming from within 1,000 km. The living walls act as a natural absorber of air pollutants and enhance the aesthetic atmosphere of the building without requiring any additional water to sustain them.  

Rainwater collection and gray-water recycling support all non-potable uses for a net positive water result. More than 90% of demolition and construction waste was recycled or donated—including recycling 99% of metals—with many of the existing materials being repurposed to minimize the need for new ones. Outdoor courtyards also were cut into the interior of the building to provide direct access to the outdoors and to bring daylight to interior workspaces. More than 130 solar reflective tubes were added to this space and to the roof to provide additional daylight inside.

Photo courtesy Jacobsen Construction

This level of sustainability is central to the client’s vision, and Architectural Nexus shared its lessons learned from other Living Building Institute projects with Jacobsen and the trade partners. The philosophy behind this process aims to enable buildings that are not simply “less bad” for the environment but also to design and build spaces in a way that makes them truly regenerative. The revamped space also includes nature-inspired murals, open workspaces, hoteling offices, lounge areas, design labs, community meeting spaces, a café and a gym.