Photo by Sincereduncantudios.com
U.S. Dept. of Energy�s Research Support Facility
Photo By Kevin Eilbeck Photography
Paleontology Building at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Photo By Kevin Eilbeck Photography
Paleontology Building at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Gold: Outstanding Community Contribution
U.S. Dept. of Energy’s Research Support Facility
Submitted by Haselden Construction
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is the primary lab in the U.S. for renewable-energy and energy-efficiency research and development. The Research Support Facility integrates high-performance building design and construction practices. It is registered to obtain LEED-Platinum certification and expected to become an industry-changing project—a new model for large-scale, net-zero-energy buildings. The building is a living laboratory for NREL researchers who are continually monitoring the building’s performance.

The energy model drove the design of the RSF. The lazy-H configuration allows daylight to penetrate the workspaces. A bridge connects two narrow, multi-story office wings. In addition to the maximization of daylighting, energy-efficient features include: under-floor air-distribution systems, radiant heating and cooling; an underground thermal labyrinth, triple-pane windows, next-generation, high-efficiency data center, solar panel roofs and occupant/system-controlled windows.

The result is an energy-efficient and inspirational workplace environment for NREL and DOE staff.

Golden, Colo.

$64 million
Owner: DOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Contractor: Haselden Construction
Architect: RNL
Engineers: KL&A Inc., Martin/Martin Inc., Stantec
Among the Subcontractors: Trautman & Shreve, Weifield Group, Rocky Mountain Prestress, JR Butler, OfficeScapes, Paxton and Vierling Steel Co., Architectural Energy Corp., Technology Plus
Start: Feb. 2009 Finish: June 2010

Silver: Outstanding Green Building Project
Paleontology Building at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Submitted by Mark Young Construction Inc.
The new Paleontology Research Laboratory at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a two-story, 30,000-sq-ft building that includes a geology chemistry lab, the most up-to-date equipment for working with fossils, hands-on teaching areas, collections and an atrium where the public can view people working in the lab.

The exterior features a smooth brick pattern with alternating raked brick every third course and precast coping and sills.

Because research in the facility focuses strongly on environmental issues, the project team set a goal of LEED-Silver certification at the onset of design. The new laboratory on campus was recently award LEED-Gold certification.

Rapid City, S.D.

$6.2 million
Owner: State of South Dakota Board of Regents
Contractor: Mark Young Construction Inc.
Architect: Anderson Mason Dale Architects
Engineers: Renner & Associates, S.A. Miro Inc., West Plains Engineering
Among the Subcontractors: Heil Mechanical, High Tech Mechanical, Clarke Electric, MYC’s Concrete Division, Big Horn Masonry, Hagen Glass Windows & Siding, Lind-Exco Inc.
Start: March 2009 Finish: May 2010