DPR Construction (DPR), one of the nation’s leading builders focused on highly complex and sustainable projects, announced today the official certification of its new San Francisco Bay Area Regional Office as a Net-Zero Energy Building (NZEB) by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) through its Living Building Challenge(SM) program. Producing more energy than it consumes, DPR’s San Francisco office is the first commercial office in San Francisco to achieve NZEB certification to date. By being both the owner and contractor for the renovation project, DPR was able to push the limits on its sustainability goals for the 24,010-square-foot building and create a true living lab of sustainable business practices for San Francisco.

“San Francisco is a city that has no fear when it comes to attempting the impossible. It was here that a city picked itself up after earthquakes and massive fires; and it was here that some of the world’s greatest inventions – both physical and cultural – were born. So it makes sense that we would build the kind of commercial space that will change the way we look at buildings in the next generation,” said Mike Humphrey, Regional Manager, DPR Construction. “Our SF office also represents a living lab that stimulates creativity and celebrates DPR’s culture, brand and commitment to ‘building great things.’”

The modern workplace is located along San Francisco’s Embarcadero on Front Street. In eight months, DPR, design firm FME Architecture + Design, Oakland-based consulting firm Integral Group and 58 other essential partners, researched, designed, permitted, and built a highly-efficient, modern workplace with a number of innovative sustainability features including:

• Three hundred and forty-three SunPower 345-watt photovoltaic (PV) panels to produce a 118kW renewable energy system and provide power throughout the office
• Complete structural renovation and roof replacement to support the PV system
• Rooftop solar thermal water heating system
• Nineteen (19) Solatube750 DS Daylighting System
• Eight (8) Velux solar-powered, automated operable skylights over the atrium
• Two (2) large atrium skylights that were retrofitted with View Dynamic Glazing to control heat gain and diffuse natural light
• Nine (9) 8-foot Essence and four (4) Haiku® Big Ass® Fans that efficiently promote air flow within the office
• Three (3) living walls installed by Habitat Horticulture in addition to a living wine bar – live plants growing beneath the glass bar top
• Reclaimed redwood from the deconstructed Moffett Field Hangar One in Mountain View, Calif. and reclaimed Douglas Fir from piles salvaged from the San Francisco Transbay Transit Center Project
• AER-DEC Sink and Ultra-low flow and flush plumbing fixtures by Sloan Valve Company
• Honeywell Command Wall Touch technology incorporated BMS System
• First deployed LEED Dynamic Plaque assisting with tracking building performance

Dylan Connelly from Integral Group says, “The integrated design process DPR set up for this project led to incredible results. The team’s collective experience allowed the project to achieve 20% Net Positive Energy and create a fantastic space. The project blurred the lines between Net Positive features and design enhancement features, leading to cost savings and a huge success.”

As a one-of-a-kind building that is uniquely San Francisco, the office is inspired by like-minded clients that share a commitment to the environment, community and employees. The office serves as an event space where organizations can host events learn about the most intelligent energy efficient technologies available. The San Francisco office is the third DPR office to serve as a living lab for sustainability – the Phoenix office achieved net-zero energy certification in 2013 and the San Diego office received certification in 2014.

"As we continue to work with organizations to raise the bar for deep green design, it is inspiring to see Net-Zero Energy Buildings come to life through creative structures like DPR’s San Francisco Office,” says Amanda Sturgeon, CEO for ILFI. “This project demonstrates a tipping point for the green building industry, as San Francisco, a leader in urban sustainability, paves the way for mass adoption of Net-Zero Energy Buildings across the country.”

About DPR Construction

DPR Construction is a forward-thinking national general contractor and construction manager specializing in technically complex and sustainable projects for the advanced technology/mission critical, life sciences, healthcare, higher education and corporate office markets. Founded in 1990, DPR is a privately held, employee-owned company that has grown to a multi-billion-dollar organization with offices around the country, making it one of the largest general contractors in the nation and a great story of entrepreneurial success. It ranked on FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for five consecutive years.