by Mary Morissette, AIA
Senior Associate, Bennett Wagner & Grody Architects

GSA Achieves Excellence in Sustainable Design
In 2002, GSA initiated a four-year design and construction process to modernize the Byron G. Rogers U.S. Courthouse in Denver. Over the past 40 years, little had been done to upgrade the building’s systems, functions, or appearance. As a means of evaluating and measuring green building achievements, GSA requires major modernization projects like this to exceed basic LEED® certification, achieving at least a LEED Silver rating. Working with Bennett Wagner & Grody Architects of Denver, GSA planned and executed a comprehensive interior renovation that carefully integrated sustainable design features, resulting in a LEED Gold rating. The courthouse renovation was one of 50 projects designated for the USBGC's LEED EB (Existing Buildings) pilot program.

Renovation overview
Constructed in 1965, the five-story Byron G. Rogers U.S. Courthouse (BRCH) and 18-story federal office building are icons in the downtown Denver federal district. Many local historians consider the complex (named after a Colorado congressman) to be a Formalist masterpiece, and the renovation preserved and recreated important architectural details of the Formalist style, notably two self-contained blocks with symmetrical elevations and flat roofs that incorporate artwork and ornament. Both buildings are faced with precast stone, marble, and glass—additional qualities of the Formalist style.

The planning and design effort included reprogramming the building; a new public entry and lobby; renovation of the entire building interior; complete mechanical, electrical, life-safety, security, and technology upgrades; full asbestos abatement; ADA compliance; rejuvenated exterior façade; and site upgrades that integrated security elements, landscape design, and public art. The courthouse contains two levels of underground parking. The landscaped plaza consists of the entry canopy, trees, lawn panels, and outdoor seating.

Sustainable Features

Sustainable site:

• Reuse of the existing building and site. The building area is about 260,000 gross square feet
• Easy access to both bus and light-rail transportation lines
• Increased open space, with more than 50 percent of the site area planted using native and low-water-consumption materials
• New white, high-emissivity roofing to reduce reflectance
• Low cut-off fixtures to minimize light pollution and light trespass.

Reuse of existing materials:

• Wood wall paneling, judges' benches, and spectator seating in the courtrooms
• Marble panels and terrazzo floors in the lobby and public corridors
• Stainless-steel and brass elevator doors and frames and decorative radiator covers
• Painted metal decorative bands and original plaster reveal details.

New materials:

• Most of the new wood installed meets the Forest Stewardship Council guidelines for sustainable harvested wood products
• Half of all materials used on the project had some level of recycled content.

Indoor environmental quality:

• The entire structural system's fire protection was asbestos-containing material, which was completely removed; the structure is re-protected with non-asbestos-containing materials
• Materials painted with lead-based paints also were removed and replaced
• The abatement process took an entire year to implement.

Optimizing energy performance:

• The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system replacements are anticipated to achieve an Energy Star score of 88, which equates to 6 out of the 10 possible LEED credits for Optimizing Energy Efficiency
• The BRCH renovation is anticipated to save 30 percent on energy costs
• Plumbing fixtures, such as faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads, save 20 percent compared to typical plumbing fixtures
• The courthouse is 100 percent wind-powered, which is anticipated to eliminate 3,678,500 pounds of CO2 and 7,930 pounds of NOx.

In addition to achieving LEED EB Gold, the project has been recognized by AIA Denver with a Design Honor Award and Sustainability Award.