San Francisco Building to Raise the Bar on Sustainability

KMD Architects' design for a new 12-story headquarters for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is expected to be a leader in demonstrating energy efficiency, water recycling and reduced carbon footprint among major office buildings nationally, according to P.U.C. officials.

"What better organization than a major municipal power and water agency to create one of the most advanced buildings in green design in the U.S.," said David Hobstetter, KMD principal.

"Our intent from the beginning was to create the most energy-efficient office building developed in an urban setting in the United Statesto date," said P.U.C. deputy general manager Anthony Irons.

The $178 million, 254,000-square foot headquarters will include features uncommon in buildings today, but "would be commonplace in years to come," he said.

Officials say construction will be paid by selling surplus real estate holdings and by issuing bonds against future rent savings, not by funds from rate-paying customers.

Dozens of wind turbines on the roof, solar panels embedded in outer walls, and a natural-cooling "thermal chimney" are among the features enabling the structure to supply 40 percent of its own energy needs, said Hobstetter.

On windy, sunlit days, it will go off the power grid completely.