USGBC Natural Talent Design Competition 2009 - Puerto Rico (Caribbean Chapter)

Design a LEED Platinum, multiuse facility that will serve as the USGBC Caribbean Chapter Headquarters. An important part of the challenge to our designers is to provide building facilities that showcase the best of tropical green building practices, while sensibly preserving the building character, structure and historic relevance in the Rio Piedras’ neighborhood.

Besides the Chapter’s administrative offices, this facility will also be the host of continuous green building educational programs. We strongly recommend the use of flexible and multiuse spaces to satisfy the program needs. This facility shall be integrated into the community and surroundings, paying special attention to the possibilities of providing and/or activating open public spaces.

An important characteristic of the project is to be a ‘Living Laboratory Facility’ that should be located on the rooftop area. This area will provide a suitable space, capable of testing and monitoring the integration of a variety of new sustainable materials and technologies in our characteristic bioclimatic conditions.

The project will utilize LEED for New Construction and Mayor Renovation as the design standard to achieve LEED Platinum certification.

Brief (PDF)