Green building case studies

Minnesota examples

Our brief case studies of new and renovated buildings in Minnesota demonstrate real-world applications of sustainable building principles and strategies in the state.

• ERSystems, Rockford (2004)
• St. Paul Public Housing Agency, St. Paul (2004)
• Hartley Nature Center, Duluth (2003)
• Karges-Faulconbridge, Inc. Headquarters, Roseville (2003)
• Lebanon Hills Trail Head and Visitor Center, Eagan (2003)
• Pierre Bottineau Public Library, Minneapolis (2003)
• Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center, St. Paul (2003)
• Rogers High School, Rogers (2003)
• Dakota County Northern Service Center, West St. Paul (2002)
• Kroening Interpretive Center at North Mississippi Regional Park, Minneapolis (2002)
• Minnesota DNR's Consolidated Field Office, Tower (2002)
• Minnesota DNR's Consolidated Field Office, Windom (2002)
• Municipal Center, Apple Valley (2002)
• Thompson Park Center/Dakota Lodge, West St. Paul (2002)
• Town Hall, Livonia Township (2002)
• Church of St. Joan of Arc, Minneapolis (2001)

Community initiatives

Dakota County's Building Sustainability program has created long-lasting buildings that were systematically planned, designed, constructed, and now operated to create minimal impact to the environment. Their website provides case studies of four buildings that have implemented the Dakota County Sustainable Design and Building Standards. Adopted in 2001, the new standards united pre-planning, design and construction for all Dakota County facilities.

Minneapolis Green Government Initiative | PDF (1.2Mb)
This Green Buildings presentation (January 2005) highlights five sustainable design projects by the city of Minneapolis: Animal Care and Control, Precinct #3, Columbia Heights Filtration Plant, Fridley Maintenance Facility, and Fire Station #14.

Generation Green Program: City of Oakdale | PDF
In 2001, Oakdale launched a voluntary program to encourage businesses to design and construct buildings that are more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly. Generation Green provides incentives for participation, including publicity through the city's newsletter and a 15% reduction in building permit fees.

More Minnesota buildings

This section highlights some earlier examples of Minnesota green buildings, many of which used the Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide as a source for comprehensive strategies to design a sustainable building.

Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District
  In December 2005, District staff moved into a new building with green architecture, stormwater best management practices, and native landscaping. Their web site provides detailed information on their use of porous asphalt, rain gardens, a green roof, green building strategies, and more.

Hennepin County Public Works Facility | PDF
  Hennepin County's new public works facility is a compelling example of the county's commitment to sustainable design practices and the principles of waste reduction, reuse and recycling. The facility opened in June 1998.

Interdistrict Downtown School | PDF
  Nine school districts collaborated on an architecturally innovative and culturally diverse public school in downtown Minneapolis. Designed for sustainability, the Interdistrict Downtown School makes efficient use of space and other resources while serving as a learning tool to its students.

Phillips Eco-Enterprise Center (PEEC) | PDF
  The Phillips Eco-Enterprise Center, which opened during fall 1999, is one of the nation's first comprehensive green office and light manufacturing facilities. The facility design focuses primarily on occupant health, energy-efficient operation, and overall resource-efficient construction.

Pollution Control Agency office, Duluth | PDF (180Kb)
  The mission of the PCA is embodied in the design of our regional offices in Duluth. This building has been restored and adapted for mixed use, includes energy- and water-conserving technologies, and features a few examples of recycled and less-toxic building materials.

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Post-occupancy evaluations

It is important not only to design buildings intended to be more sustainable, but to evaluate their subsequent performance. The building community needs to understand what works and what does not, so that green building continually evolves to achieve greater cost-effectiveness, improved occupant health, and lower environmental impact. A post-occupancy evaluation (POE) may involve gathering data about energy and water usage, occupant satisfaction, and the observations of key design, construction and operations/maintenance personnel regarding the installation, performance and durability of materials and systems.

LEED Post-Occupancy Evaluation: Taking Responsibility for the Occupants (1.2Mb)
  The Center for the Built Environment (CBE) at the University of California (Berkeley) researched the performance of green and LEED-certified buildings in comparison to conventional buildings, in terms of occupant satisfaction with indoor environmental quality. Preliminary findings were presented at the USGBC Greenbuild conference in November 2005.

Post-occupancy evaluations of county buildings in the Twin Cities
  In 2004, the Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University of Minnesota was commissioned by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) to conduct post-occupancy evaluations of five recently constructed county buildings. The research was part of SWMCB's commitment to reduce non-municipal solid waste specifically generated through building projects in its constituent counties. The research methodology consisted of general building data gathering, observational walkthroughs, plan and specification reviews, and collection of energy, water and waste data. Interviews were conducted with key participants. Surveys about indoor environmental quality were given to building occupants.

• Carver County Public Works Facility (750Kb). No guidelines were required at the time of this project. Sustainable design experience and qualifications were not included in the RFP, but the consultant selected did have experience. The design process was underway and the budget was set before sustainable strategies were identified using the Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide. Energy analysis was not performed on the project.
• Dakota County Northern Service Center (700Kb). The county used its own Sustainable Design and Construction Standards for this project, the first in a series of prominent county buildings that incorporated sustainable design standards. Energy analysis was performed and led to good economic and environmental outcomes for the building, according to the POE analysis.
• Dakota County Lebanon Hills Trailhead and Visitor Center (750Kb). This was the third prominent building on which Dakota County used its Sustainable Design and Construction Standards. The RFP required sustainable design experience and qualifications. The county had champions within the organization, as well as County Board support. Due to the small project size, energy analysis was not performed. Since Lebanon Hills had just recently opened at the time the POE was conducted, there was not much useful performance data available.
• Hennepin County Public Works Facility (575Kb). This facility in Medina was built before any sustainable design guidelines existed, but Hennepin County was a leader in developing and applying such standards. Sustainable design experience and qualifications were not included in the RFP. Some integrated design principles were followed, and some sustainable strategies were introduced midway through the process. Energy analysis was not performed on this project.
• Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center (750Kb). Ramsey County followed the Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide to some extent, beginning midway through the process without buy-in from all parties. Sustainable design experience and qualifications were not included in the RFP. Energy analysis contributed to significant outcomes according to the POE.

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Other sources

AIA/COTE Annual Top Ten Green Projects | www.aiatopten.org/hpb/
  The American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment believes that the best architecture integrates the natural and built environments in a way that improves and sustains quality of life. COTE selects their annual Top Ten Green Projects based on such criteria as site, ecosystem, design process, community connection, high performance, low energy use, water conservation, and materials and resources.

High Performance Buildings Database | www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/database/
  The U.S. Department of Energy hosts a public database of high-performance buildings featuring innovative work in fields such as energy efficiency, materials use and water conservation. Projects of all types and sizes are listed, including commercial and government buildings, schools and affordable housing.

LEED Case Studies (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system)
  Now available online. Click on a project name to view detailed project information: site, energy, water, finance, project team, images, and more. Sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council, in conjunction with BuildingGreen and the DOE High Performance Building Database.