by ArchitectureWeek

In celebration of Earth Day, the Committee on the Environment (COTE) of the American Institute of Architects annually selects ten buildings that demonstrate exemplary "green" design and construction methods. The AIA's 2006 "Top Ten Green" buildings successfully integrate architecture, technology, and natural systems.

Each project was evaluated on ten measures, which are documented extensively on the COTE Web site. These include design innovation, land use, bioclimatic design, water and energy conservation, materials, and indoor environment. In addition, each winning team reveals its "lessons learned." These are often insights into unexpected interactions between the various sustainability measures.

One of the 2006 Top Ten Green buildings is the new Alberici Corporation Headquarters, in Overland, Misssouri, designed by Mackey Mitchell Architects. The platinum LEED-certified building is the adaptive reuse of a former manufacturing plant on a brownfield site.

The original building had very long spans supported by steel-trusses that were ideal for the open office environment desired by the client. The original plant faced southwest, but an added "saw-tooth" pattern of projections reoriented the building, in effect, to the south and provided ample glazing while blocking western sunlight with masonry walls.   >>>

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Alberici Corporation Headquarters, designed by Mackey Mitchell Architects, was selected as one of the "Top Ten Green" projects for 2006. Photo: Debbie Franke Alberici Corporation Headquarters was constructed from a former factory. Photo: Alise O'Brien   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.