Cincinnati, Ohio

Photo of Cincinnati Annex 2 under construction.

This facility features the following green attributes:
LEED-NC 2.1/2.2 Gold
Green Power
Native Landscaping

Research Support Annex (Annex 2)

Total Facility Area: 42,750 gross square feet (GSF)
Estimated Personnel: 90 persons
Energy Consumption: not available
Btu per GSF per Year: not available
Total Water Consumption: not available
Gallons per GSF per year: not available

Annex 2 does not report its own numbers for energy and water use. They are reported as part of the overall reporting data from the Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center (AWBERC), to which Annex 2 is attached.

Description

EPA's 42,750-GSF Annex 2, is attached to the Agency's Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center (AWBERC), located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The north wing of Annex 2 was completed and occupied in September 2007, and the west wing was completed and occupied in January 2008. Half of Annex 2 is being used as permanent office space for various agencies, and the other half is serving as temporary "swing space" during a major Infrastructure Replacement Project (IRP) at AWBERC. The IRP is a multi-year, multi-phase, multi-million-dollar project that will replace all of the air handlers, vertical and horizontal supply ductwork, control systems, exhaust systems, and associated equipment at AWBERC. Eventually, Annex 2 will permanently house 70 EPA employees and will free up office space in AWBERC that can be converted to accommodate new laboratories. Photo of the rooftop of the West Wing at Annex 2.

Unique Environmental Features

Annex 2 received the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold-level certification for new construction (LEED^®-NC) in December 2008. The LEED rating system is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings, which promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability. View the LEED scorecard for Annex 2 (PDF) (1 pp, 76K, About PDF).

Energy Conservation

Annex 2 features state-of-the-art, energy-efficient building systems, including temperature controls, variable air volume air and water side economizers that allow for 100 percent outside air ventilation when possible, and under-the-floor ventilation that reduces energy use by an average of 6 percent. The ventilation system also allows for optimum comfort levels for building occupants.
Because of its energy-efficient design, no additional heating or cooling equipment needed to be installed in Annex 2. The facility draws all of its heating and cooling needs from the existing primary system located in the main AWBERC building.
Extensive daylighting around the perimeter of the building, a skylight in the ceiling, and occupancy sensors throughout the building combine to provide maximum daylight exposure and minimize the use of artificial light.
An 8,322-SF green roof helps conserve energy by providing thermal insulation.
Advanced metering at the facility, including sub-metering for electrical and water use, helps building facility managers identify and fix any power drains and water leaks before they continue or get worse.

Green Power

EPA offsets 100 percent of the electricity consumption at Annex 2 with renewable energy certificates (RECs) purchased through the Agency's current blanket green power contract. Learn more about EPA's current and past blanket green power contracts.

Water Conservation

In addition to advanced metering for water use, all plumbing fixtures installed in Annex 2 are water-efficient (e.g., dual-flush toilets) and are expected to reduce the facility’s water use by 35 percent from the baseline fixture performance requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
The facility grounds feature xeriscaping and native vegetation that requires no additional water for irrigation.

Stormwater Management

In the triangular courtyard between Annexes 1 and 2, EPA incorporated low impact development sustainable landscaping, including permeable pavement and native vegetation. This feature, along with the building's 8,322-SF green roof, will help to manage stormwater runoff in the area and minimize the heat island effect of the building.

Waste Reduction and Recycling - Construction

During the construction process, EPA selected recycled-content and/or local materials and supplies and diverted 95 percent of construction wastes from landfills through exemplary waste management.

Waste Reduction and Recycling - Operations

EPA installed recycling bins throughout Annex 2 and implemented a recycling program for mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum cans, fluorescent lamps, and batteries.

Additional Features

In coordination with the above activities, EPA's Cincinnati facilities have established an Environmental Management System (EMS).

For More Information About This Facility

For a more detailed summary of Annex 2's environmental features, including photos, view Sustainable Facilities at EPA: Research Support Annex 2, Cincinnati, Ohio (PDF) (4 pp, 690 KB).

Website: www.epa.gov/oarmcinc/index.htm

Rhonda Hampton (hampton.rhonda@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA
26 W. Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Phone: (513) 569-7270