| New Toyota Office Building Constructed Using 250 miles of Reinforced Steel from Recycled Automobiles |
Glumac provided mechanical engineering services to the architecture firm of LPA Inc. for this new three-story office building constructed at the existing campus. The project received a Gold Level Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED® Green Building rating system. The complex, the largest ever to receive a LEED® Gold rating, has 624,000 sf of office space and will initially house about 2,000 Toyota associates. Features of the project include a high-performance thermal envelope and 2,700-ton direct-fired natural gas absorption chiller plant. Maintenance of excellent indoor air quality is a priority for Toyota - outside air quantities in excess of minimum code requirements were used as well as air filtration systems using 95% efficient air filters, which exceed code requirements for even hospital operating rooms. The energy efficiency of the building exceeds the state requirements by more than 20%.
Some of the keys to earning "Gold" certification include:
• The widespread use of materials with recycled content. The project achieved a 95 percent recycled content based on LEED®calculations including more than 250 miles of reinforced steel used throughout the complex -- made up primarily of recycled automobiles.
• One of the largest commercial solar electric systems in North America. The system, developed by Powerlight Corporation, generates enough electricity during the day to power more than 500 homes and greatly reduces the complex’s demand on the local utility grid load during peak hours.
• The installation of a special pipeline by the West Basin Municipal Water District to supply recycled water to the complex for cooling, landscaping and restroom flushing. Combined with other efforts to reduce potable water consumption, including drought resistant landscaping, waterless urinals and low-flow fixtures, the complex is expected to conserve more than 11 million gallons of drinking water a year, enough to supply about 180 homes annually.
• Energy-efficiency features such as direct-indirect lighting, high efficiency insulation and thermally insulated glass help the complex exceed State of California energy efficiency targets by more than 20 percent.
The complex also features a hydrogen fueling and service station to support Toyota’s fuel cell vehicle development program. The station, built in partnership with Stuart Energy, is the first of six planned by Toyota for California as part of its efforts to create a fuel cell community in conjunction with government industry and educational organizations.
The building features a 2,700-ton central plant using natural gas fired absorption chillers, one of the largest photovoltaic arrays of any building in the country, reclaimed water for irrigation, cooling tower make up and toilets, waterless urinals, etc.
2003 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award Winner for Sustainable Facilities
Recognizing exemplary building projects that showcase leadership in the area of green construction practices.
Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. - Toyota South Campus - Los Angeles County: The Toyota Earth Charter calls for Toyota associates around the world to reduce the environmental impact not only for Toyota products but also in every aspect of the business. Toyota South Campus (624,000 sf) was designed for convenience and flexibility that a green building can provide, as well as Toyota's dedication to a sustainable environment through their Process Green initiative. It has the largest solar power system in the United States and exceeds Title 24 by 25 percent.
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