Another recently completed Sundt project has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council for its contribution to the sustainability movement. The $42.3 million Richard E. Arnason Justice Center in Pittsburg, Calif., has earned LEED Silver certification, putting it into an elite category of civic buildings that serve the public good while reducing their impact on the environment. It is the first new California courthouse to earn LEED Silver certification.
The three-story, 73,500-square-foot courthouse gained LEED points for its high-efficiency mechanical systems, extensive use of local and recycled materials, and the incorporation of natural light and ventilation. To help save on energy usage and costs, motion sensors control the building’s lights, turning them off whenever a room is unoccupied, while the HVAC system lessens its environmental impact through the use of a chemical-free water treatment system. One of the most unusual features is the jury assembly room, which is covered by a 2,900-square-foot “green roof” planted with a variety of native grasses, reducing heat load and conserving water.
The building includes seven courtrooms, judges’ chambers, administrative space, conference rooms, a library, and in-custody detention areas, plus state-of-the-art systems for security, access control and video surveillance.