California State University Northridge Sustainability Center
Setting the standard for environmental stewardship
Project Facts
| Location | Northridge, California |
| Owner | California State University, Northridge |
| Size | 3,000 SF |
| Cost | $4 million |
| Status | Completed 2017 |
| Certifications | LEED Platinum |
Overview
Walter P Moore provided structural engineering services for California State University (CSU) Northridge’s Sustainability Center, conceived as the cornerstone of the university’s sustainability program. Standing as a central showcase for the university’s evolution into a pioneering sustainable campus, the LEED Platinum-certified building houses spaces for both the Associated Students Recycling Operations and offices for the Institute for Sustainability.
Services
Challenges
Performance and Cost
The building’s large square footage and the goal of meeting high performance standards created budgetary challenges addressed in the design of the primary structural system.
Sustainability Objectives
Per the university’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2040, the structure must adhere to high-level sustainability standards such as LEED criteria, net zero energy use, and Living Building Challenge requirements.
Roof Design
The design featured a lightweight structure with a mono-slope faceted roof, and this arrangement ran the risk of toppling over in an earthquake. This presented a challenge due to the structure being located in a seismically active zone.
Solutions
Value Engineered Design
Walter P Moore used a hybrid structural system consisting of a pre-engineered utility building using a traditional steel frame. This helped incorporate high performance building systems into the structure within budget constraints.
Targeted Design Strategies
By specifying that 55% of the building’s structural steel had to be repurposed from other buildings located in the U.S and using a simple steel lateral system of X- and inverted-V wide flange beams on hollow structural section columns, material usage and assembly were optimized.
Seismic Coordination
To ensure the building remained anchored during an earthquake, engineers designed larger footings in several locations and tied columns together. This design confirmed the building relied on the foundations as opposed to its own weight for stability.
Results
Self-Sufficient Operation
The hybrid structural design helped accommodate a 2,000 square feet solar photovoltaic canopy. Additionally, a solar hot water system, composting toilets, and systems for rainwater and greywater capture, facilitated in meeting the building’s operational needs.
A Sustainable Beacon
CSU Northridge Sustainability Center’s efficient, environmentally conscious design embodies the university’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2040 as part of their pledge to the Second Nature’s Presidents’ Climate Commitment.
Earthquake Resistance
The engineering solutions implemented in the final design passed rigorous peer reviews to ensure the structure would remain stable during earthquake events in the seismically active L.A. basin.
Project Team Leaders
