Green Project, Award of Merit: The Zero Net Energy Center, San Leandro
The meeting and learning center is the first large-scale commercial building retrofit to meet the U.S. Dept. of Energy's definition of an annual net-zero energy use building. Once an energy hog, the precast concrete building now serves as a demonstration project to instruct thousands of electrical apprentices each year on how to install renewable energy systems. The design incorporates wind and solar power generating technology in the facade, on the roof and on the site. The systems are designed to reduce energy use by 75% compared with similar commercial buildings.