Albuquerque is becoming a hot spot for green innovation. From solar power to wind energy, City Government and local companies are leading the way in developing and utilizing sustainable technology.

Green building is one way to take charge of our future. Here are just a few examples of local leadership in developing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified green buildings.

Double Eagle Airfield Maintenance Facility

• The Airfield Maintenance Facility is designed to meet the USGBC’s LEED Gold level certification when completed and is the City of Albuquerque’s first Green Path public project.
• Sustainable features include ample daylighting of and views for nearly all occupied spaces, natural ventilation, cool roofs, and an efficient building envelope design.
• MEP equipment selections are projected to reduce energy consumption by at least 28% and water use by 30% compared to similar facilities.
• Superior indoor air quality will be achieved with low to no toxic off-gassing finish materials, increased ventilation, and HVAC outside air delivery monitoring and controls.
• The airport site is designed to protect and restore habitat while maximizing open space, includes native drought-resistant landscaping requiring no potable water, and incorporates reflective permeable paving, which taken together will minimize the adverse effects of storm water drainage and runoff.

Albuquerque Police Department
SIXTH AREA COMMAND HEADQUARTERS

• The new 25,000 square foot community-based facility located at Ellison and Cibola Loop NW will serve the Albuquerque Police Department’s newly defined Sixth Area command which encompasses most of northwest Albuquerque.

• The facility will be designed and constructed to achieve a LEED-NC “Silver” certification.
• Currently entering the design development phase, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) and Rohde May Keller McNamara Architecture, P.C. are designing the facility to maximize the outstanding views of the Sandias and the City of Albuquerque for all employees.
• Using LEED guidelines, the building will excel in the following areas of energy efficiency: 
  • Efficient lighting
  • Daylight dimming
  • Photovoltaic electrical power
  • Geothermal heating and cooling
  • Materials (recycled content, local procurement)
  • Indoor environmental quality (outside air, low-VOC materials)
  • Water (use reduction and rain harvesting).

Thomas Bell Community Center Gymnasium Addition

A gymnasium addition is currently out for bid for the Thomas Bell Community Center. The gymnasium is designed to meet requirements for LEED Silver Certification which supports the Mayor’s initiative of sustainability in the design of new City Facilities.

The gymnasium will optimize energy performance by using energy efficient light fixtures, HVAC units, and low flow plumbing fixtures. Also, all paints, carpet, tiles and adhesives will have low VOC levels which will reduce the toxic gasses produced by the facility. (US Green Building Council, LEED for New Construction Version 2.2)

APS-Susie Rayos Marmon Elemenatary School

by Project Architect, DWL Architects + Planners of New Mexico

To design a better quality learning environment and reduced energy needs, Albuquerque Public Schools determined that they wanted Susie Rayos Marmon Elementary School to be Leadership, Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) for New Schools Silver Certified. The decision reinforces Mayor Chavez’s Green Path program to make Albuquerque a better place to live and will reduce energy use and dependence.

Advent Solar Building

by developer Forest City Covington, and Advent Solar, Inc.

Forest City and Advent are pursuing LEED-CS certification for the building shell and LEED-CI certification for the tenant improvements. As the first employment center building, this facility will set a precedent for future construction and promote the overall vision of creating an environmentally sensitive, progressive, mixed-use community.

This LEED certified building reinforces Mesa del Sol’s commitment to creating a sustainable community.

Square Footage: 87,596

Major Tenants: Advent Solar, Inc.

Location: Mesa del Sol, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Special Features: Advent Solar will feature use of their own solar panels for electric power generation.

PNM Resources Building

by Claudio Vigil Architects, Jaynes Corporation, Bridgers & Paxton Engineers, and Environmental Dynamics, Inc. as the LEED Accredited Professionals

A new PNM building is the first in New Mexico to earn silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council using the LEED Green Building Rating System. The office building is located in Albuquerque and houses 50 employees.

See the full story: PNM Building Earns State's First Silver LEED-NC Certification for New Building

“This building is one example of how our company is seeking a more environmentally sustainable path, where we consider not just financial impacts of business decisions, but the environmental impacts as well.”- Jeff Sterba, Chairman, President and CEO of PNM Resources                 Photo by Patrick Coulie

 

Major Tenants: PNM Resources

Location: NE Albuquerque, New Mexico

Special Features: Water consumption was reduced by 47%. Energy use requirements have been reduced by 25%.

Jefferson Green

by Dekker Perich Sabatini

Jefferson Green is the first building to be LEED-CS pre-certified in the state of New Mexico.

The developers, Dekker Perich Sabatini, have stated that their goal is to showcase this building in order to demonstrate to the business community that “green” commercial buildings can be built and operated cost effectively without sacrificing the comfort of their occupants.

"It is the long-term impact of this approach that is most important to us – better buildings, happier people, and a healthier planet."

- Bill Sabatini, Design Principal

Square footage: 85,000

Major Tenants: Dekker Perich Sabatini

Location: NE Albuquerque, New Mexico

Special Features: 30% less water and 45% less energy than a typical office building in Albuquerque. Over 90% of the structural steel is recycled. Responsible construction practices resulted in reuse and recycling that diverted over 4,000 tons of material from landfill.

Jefferson Green Achieves Double LEED Gold Certification

Jefferson Green Recognized by EPA

Mesa Del Sol Firestation

Fidelity Investments

What's Your Story?

Is your Albuquerque building LEED certified? Send us an email and tell us your story.