The building is sited directly opposite an existing building in an effort to create an urban, pedestrian-friendly space between the two structures and provide convenient access between departments.  The tree-shaded and native landscaped space will include seating areas and an evaporative cooling water feature, which rains from the façade of the new building. 

Staff parking will be located to the north of the building while city vehicles will park on the western side of the yard.  Larger rigs will be sheltered from the elements by a photovoltaic array of approximately 7,000 sf, which will offset over 12% of the yearly energy consumption.

Included within the building are an expanded emergency operations center, designed to employ the latest communication technology, and the city’s relocated water quality lab and utility network system.  This LEED Gold building will serve as a model of sustainable design and construction for future development in Pasadena.  The cost of the building is estimated at $10 million.

Sustainable strategies employed in the project:

·Bicycle racks to promote sustainable means of transportation
·Parking preference for vanpools, carpools, hybrid alternative fuel
  vehicles
·Native landscaping that after one year will not require an irrigation
  system
·Heavily landscaped and shaded parking area reducing heat island
·Pervious paving capturing rainwater
·All lighting will be 'cut-off' to minimize light pollution
·Daylight and views will be maintained for 90% of the building
  occupants
·Exterior screening systems will capture and dissipate heat into the  
  atmosphere prior to entering the building
·A portion of the roof will be a demonstration “Green roof,” which
  restores the natural habit. The remaining roof area will be a “Cool
  roof,” which reflects the visible light spectrum and reduces the heat
  load within the building.
·A walk-off mat at the main entry will minimize and control cross-
  contamination of indoor air with pollutants
·Products will be chosen for low levels of odors, irritants or
  harmfulness
·No ozone depleting chemicals in the refrigerant
·Ventilation will be increased and the system monitored for proper air
  quality
·Water-use inside the building will be reduced by 30% compared to the
  baseline standard
·Energy performance will be 28% above the baseline average and the
  building envelope will be designed to maximize energy performance;
  lighting controls will be coordinated with daylight and occupancy
  sensors
·Thirty percent of materials used in the project will be of recycled
  content; 10% will be mined, extracted and manufactured within 500
  miles of the project; at least 50% of all wood will come from
  sustainable harvested trees; 75% of construction waste will be
  recycled and diverted.

The building owner will purchase 100% green power for office functions for four years.