The Renovation and Rehabilitation of Stopwaste.org, the First LEED-NC v2.2 Platinum certified building

Komorous-Towey Architects completed the renovation and rehabilitation of the new Downtown Oakland Headquarters for StopWaste.Org (Alameda County Waste Management Authority). This building was the first renovation project in the country to earn LEED Platinum certification under the LEED-NC v2.2 Green Building standard as defined by the US Green Building Council.

This renovated building includes office space as well as Board and training room facilities, and houses staff of StopWaste.Org and the Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board. The design includes wide use of sustainable building materials, energy efficient mechanical systems, and other green building features. In addition to meeting the Platinum standard, it is intended that the building will serve as a model that will promote StopWaste.Org’s goals of “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.”

The scope of work included a full seismic upgrade with steel brace frames and concrete shear walls. New stairs, elevator and restrooms contribute to full accessibility. The building’s solar electric panels power 10% of anticipated electrical use. The building also features a rain catchment system.

The original goal for the project was to attain a minimum LEED NC-Silver certification. Through the efforts of the design team it became apparent that a much higher level of sustainable design could be achieved. The decision to submit for LEED Platinum certification was made well into the construction process, creating challenges for the design team. With KTA’s design leadership and ideas, the extra design features were added without compromising the design and at a minimal added cost. In fact, the Platinum certification was achieved for less than a 3% incremental cost over standard construction costs.

At the time this project was certified, there were only 13 LEED Platinum certified projects in the county under any LEED rating system. None of them were located in CA north of LA, and this building was the first project to earn Platinum by reusing an existing building.

This project is featured on USBGC.org in the article “Leading by Example”.

Read more about how we earned LEED Platinum for the renovation of Stopwaste.org in this Brochure: “1537 Webster Street – A Green Renovation in Downtown Oakland”.

• Status : Complete
• Client : StopWaste.Org
• Location : 1537 Webster Avenue, Oakland, CA