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Sonoma State University Recreation Center
Rohnert
Park, California
Photography:
Chris Costea, Costea Photography
2006 CMACN Awards Edition, “CMU Profiles in Architecture”
Sustainable Jury Comments: Energy efficiency is the foundation of good sustainable design and this building, which is located in a hot climate, is able to achieve good thermal comfort largely through natural ventilation and passive cooling strategies. Efficient evaporative cooling is used in the areas that require mechanical cooling. Daylighting is used effectively to increase the environmental quality of the space and to save electric energy. The use of masonry and other durable materials will reduce the need to replace materials over the life of the building.
Sustainability was a driving force in the design of the
building and its systems; and this is the first building on
the Sonoma Campus to use the LEED rating system as a
guideline for design.
The two-story recreation center includes a large and small gymnasium, indoor track, game room, and wellness center to create a 52,000 square-foot building. Almost 70% of the building is naturally ventilated and cooled: the campus will “night flush” the building of all hot air at night, and use it to moderate the temperature of the building. Vents in the lobby skylight and under the built-in seat assure air movement and the natural ventilation of the lobby.
An indirect evaporative cooling system was used for the office, multi-purpose, and fitness rooms. An indirect destratification/ventilatin system is used for the small gym. Along with proper orientation and an efficient exterior skin with thermal mass; this building is 51% more efficient than a typical Title 24 building. In addition to these performance standards, significant use of green materials was accomplished in the carpet, linoleum, solid surface transaction counters, recycled glass tile, and wood from certified forests.
All these sustainable decisions add up to a substantial amount of energy savings. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG & E) project the energy savings will be 114kw; 339,000kWh; 19,446 therms per year. The project qualifies for the Silver rating from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
While stone was the preferred look and material, concrete masonry units proved to have many of the same aesthetic qualities while being a more economical and flexible building material. Oversize blocks were used at the base to scale up the building and bull nose blocks were used to separate the base from the upper block used in the walls. The parapet was offset, and originally had a cap block to top off the CMU walls. Oversize grey block was used on the tower, and running bond and stack bond were used for aesthetics. Colors were used to reflect the surrounding desert and ground face unites were used to bring out the color of the aggregate giving it a natural stone-like finish.
Architect:
LPA,
Inc.
5161 California Avenue,
Suite 100
Irvine, CA 92617
Jim
Wirick, AIA
Principal
Wendy Rogers, AIA
Design Principal
Brandon
DeArakal, AIA
Project Manager
Structural
Engineer:
Structural Design Group
General
Contractor:
Wright Construction
Masonry
Contractor:
Gene Amato Masonry
Block
Producer:
Calstone Company, Inc.
Owner:
Sonoma State University
