NASA’s science building breaks eco-friendly ground

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is LEED Registered and actively pursuing LEED for New Construction Silver Certification. It has integrated sustainable design initiatives on sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff August 9, 2007

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., received its official groundbreaking ceremony July 16. The three-story office and laboratory building, known as the Exploration Sciences Building, was designed by EwingCole.

Speakers at the ceremony included Dr. Edward Weiler, NASA Goddard’s center director, Laurie Leshin, director of sciences and exploration at NASA Goddard, and Congressman Steny H. Hoyer, Representative of Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District. Armed with their golden shovels, they each assisted with the first dig on the site.

“NASA’s new eco-friendly science building will provide state of the art laboratories and technology for our scientists, giving them access to modern tools and facilities for continued world class research in space and Earth science, and in support of NASA’s mission,” Weiler said.

The multi-million dollar Exploration Sciences Building is the first building project of the Goddard Space Flight Center’s campus master plan, and serves as a launching pad for NASA-driven space science research over the next 50 years and anchors a new pedestrian-friendly science neighborhood.

EwingCole created a flexible layout with collaborative spaces strategically located in coordination with NASA’s organizational structure and the building circulation to facilitate informal interaction between scientists.

Working in conjunction with laboratory planning consultant M+W Zander, the project team developed a design which allows for the efficient and effective configuration of utilities and laboratory spaces, including new chemistry, electronics and research laboratories.”

The new building will be occupied by personnel from the Astrophysics Science Division, the Solar Systems Exploration Division, as well as the Directorate office itself.

The building is LEED Registered and actively pursuing LEED for New Construction Silver Certification.

What makes this a green building is that EwingCole has integrated sustainable design initiatives on sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

NASA has determined that all new facilities projects will reach the Silver rating. The Silver rating signifies a high level of commitment to designing, procuring, and installing environmentally friendly materials and incorporating sustainable practices in both design and construction.

For more information about NASA Goddard, click here.