Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists, based in Pasadena, California, designed the 15,000 square foot building, which is named after longtime conservationist Robert Redford. (LEED refers to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a widely acknowledged benchmark for creating energy-efficient green buildings.)

The new structure rose from the bones of an existing 1920's building, and 98 percent of the materials from deconstruction were recycled either back into the building or elsewhere. The site itself is located near public transportation, and is within walking distance to neighborhood amenities such as Santa Monica's popular Third Street Promenade. All three factors are used in determining a building's LEED score.

The NRDC's building uses 60 percent less water than comparable-sized buildings, thanks to a gray water system that treats sink waste onsite, and re-uses it for landscape irrigation and toilets. The building is also equipped with waterless urinals, each of which saves approximately 40,000 gallons of water annually—without noticeable consequences.

An Energy Star
The architects also designed the building to reduce energy consumption by 60 to 75 percent by directing natural light into every office, adding occupancy sensors, and installing energy efficient fixtures. Internal transoms help funnel cool ocean air through the building, while a "cool roof" acts to reflect the sun's rays, reducing the need for artificial air-conditioning. In addition, rooftop solar photovoltaic cells generate 20 percent of the building's electrical needs.

To supplement the electricity from the solar panels, the NRDC buys "renewable energy generation credits," or wind certificates, from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. As a result, the building produces no carbon dioxide emissions associated with coal-fired power plants.

Occupants of the building also benefit from the building's Platinum LEED status. Most of the countertops, for example, are made from non-toxic resins. Cupboards, shelves and interior and exterior doors contain no formaldehyde. Paint is a water-based low VOC variety. Even the copy room is designed with negative pressure, where high efficiency fans pull out the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the equipment.

While the safeguards may seem over the top to some, consider this: researchers have identified about 5000 harmful compounds indoors, where we spend 90 percent of our time. In fact, the EPA estimates that poor indoor environments cause productivity to plunge, while side effects add up to nearly $2 billion in health care costs.

As a finishing touch, both furniture and flooring also sport a green pedigree. Bamboo floors, recycled carpets and padding, tiles and FSC-certified lumber are used for desks and more. Even the reception desk is embedded with recycled glass chips and abalone shells collected from restaurants.

The building's front, rear and side facades—as well as three interior light wells—feature HardiePlank™ lap siding. Not only is the material a sustainable wood substitute, but its stable, non-shrinking characteristics significantly reduce "maintenance, replacement costs, and material resource consumption," according to the NRDC.

The NRDC points out that if all U.S. commercial buildings were as efficient as the organization's buildings around the country, the energy saved would amount to 100,000 megawatts—enough to power New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, Dallas and Houston.

While the general perception is that green building adds significantly to the cost of a structure, a 2003 study commissioned by the State of California found that on average, it adds just two percent to the overall cost of construction. That same study also concluded that a green building yields savings of over ten times the initial investment during the first two decades alone.

Photography by Tim Street-Porter

Streetscapes Online, Volume 14 <