Pasadena-based La Cañada Design Group is the architectural design firm of the Los Angeles Community College District’s first LEED project completed with Proposition A/AA funding, the $2.2 billion bond program approved by voters in 2001 and 2003.
LCDG designed the L.A. Valley College’s new Sheriff’s Station/Maintenance and Operations building, which opened this past week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and L.A. City Councilmember Wendy Greuel spoke at the event, praising the efforts of those who are helping to make the college district the country’s leader in environmental efficiency and conservation. Approximately 100 people were in attendance, which included college administrators, student representatives, project managers, consultants and contractors, as well as the building’s new tenants.
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System® is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. The U.S. Green Building Council members, representing every sector of the building industry, developed and continue to refine LEED.
The project broke ground in April 2005.
LCDG designed the $6.6 million, 28,000 square foot, single story building to LEED certification standards that will help to reduce energy consumption in the following ways:
§ A cool roof reduces the heat island effect
§ Water efficient landscaping reduces water consumption by 50 percent
§ Energy use in the building is optimized and surpasses California’s Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards by 38 percent
§ Liberal use of skylights coupled with a light dimming system to help reduce electrical usage
§ Renewable energy, in the form of photovoltaics, produces as much as 10 percent of the building’s energy
§ Specific low volatile organic compound emitting materials such as paint and adhesives help improve indoor air quality
§ Commissioning process to ensure that systems interact properly
LCDG’s design places the Sheriff’s Station and Maintenance and Operations offices side by side with joint use of the break and conference rooms. Interiors consist of office-type spaces, shops and receiving/storage. The offices are grouped around an open reception area.
LCDG also designed the Inland Empire Utilities Agency’s Chino headquarters, which was in 2004 certified LEED Platinum 2.0, only one of three buildings worldwide at that time to achieve the organization’s highest rating. The IEUA facility also was recognized with the state’s 2003 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, Sustainable Facilities.
For more information on LEED certification and green building, visit www.usgbc.org. Information about the LACCD’s green building program is at www.propositiona.org/side_green_room.html.
Los Angeles Valley College is located at 5800 Fulton Ave. in Valley Glen.
LCDG is an award-winning, medium-sized, regional architectural practice that specializes in the education, high tech and office/interiors sectors. The firm was founded in 1981 by AIA-LA member Lance Bird, FAIA. LCDG’s other principals include Michael E. Shea, AIA and Veronica R. West, AIA. For more information about LCDG, visit www.lcdg.com or contact Kathy Buttrey at (626) 351-4301, x113.
The Los Angeles Valley College’s new LEED certified Sheriff’s Station/Maintenance and Operations building.
The entrance to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Station.
