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Research Support Facilities

Computer image of the proposed Research Support Facilities design.

This computer rendering from the RSF concept design shows the proposed orientation of the building looking west.
Credit: RNL

NREL's Research Support Facilities (RSF) is planned to be the laboratory's next sustainable green building, due to be completed in the summer of 2010. This 218,000 ft2 office building will hold up to 800 employees and will be a showcase for energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

The energy goal for the building is 25kBtu/ft2/year. A rooftop photovoltaic system implemented through a Power Purchase Agreement; daylighting; natural ventilation; and a next-generation, energy efficient data center are just a few of the proposed energy features of the building.

Technical Objectives

As part of the design-build process, the following technical objectives have been established for the RSF:

  • Incorporate the concepts of safe design into the planning, design, construction and operation of the facility;

  • Designed to the "Platinum" level as defined by the US Green Buildings Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®)

  • Meet the requirements of the workforce of today and tomorrow while maximizing the total number of occupants;

  • Provide the lowest attainable energy use per square foot; and

  • Provide a facility that is consistent with the site and NREL's identity.

Design-Build Contract

A design-build contract of approximately $64 million has been awarded for the RSF, and the design-build team includes Haselden Construction and RNL. The benefits of the design-build process are:

  • One contractor performs architecture/engineering and construction to improve project efficiency, cost, scope, and schedule performance

  • The competitive market provides the most technically-sound and cost-effective solution based on well-defined user performance standards

  • Project delivery and execution improves

Transformational Energy Action Management (TEAM) Initiative & Executive Order (E.O.) 13423

The RSF will exceed the TEAM Initiative goal of achieving LEED Gold for all new DOE buildings. It contributes to the E.O. and TEAM goal of reducing energy intensity across the agency by 30%. The RSF design and construction experience will be chronicled and shared widely to promote the production of high-performance building designs at competitive costs.