Steele Associates
U.S. Forest Service Headquarters Building
There was much celebration and relief when the U.S. Forest Service finally opened their new, permanent headquarters. A symbol of successful inter-governmental and multi-disciplinary design collaboration, the LEED gold building is now home to over 100 Forest Service, Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District, and Fish and Wildlife employees.
Bend, Oregon
Client: Steele Associates Architects
Building Size: 45,000 sf
Project Cost: $8.5 million
Certifications: LEED Gold
Sustainability was a major drive in the headquarters’ design, with 75 percent of the building funded by ARAA and an executive order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Elements such as abundant daylighting; high performance glazing and exterior shading; HVAC systems that included variable frequency drives (VFD) and premium motors; plus low-flow and sensor operated plumbing fixtures all helped bring the facility to LEED Gold certification. The most creative sustainable feature however is the biomass boiler.
Combined, Interface’s building systems have significantly cut energy and water use over 40 percent less overall building energy usage (vs. ASHRAE 90.1-2004), indoor lighting energy was reduced by 30 percent; exterior by 68 percent, envelope measures reduced energy use by 9 percent, HVAC system decreased overall energy use by 12 percent, and domestic hot water use decreased 53 percent.