DPR has taken a typical San Diego suburban office building nearing obsolescence and turned it into a forward thinking, sustainable, and vibrant new office space. The rehabilitation of the 1978 Governor Park one story tilt-up building is a great example of the potential of the San Diego inventory of existing buildings. “Bringing the Outside In” was the theme for this remodel, which was designed and constructed to achieve Net Zero Energy and LEED Platinum.

Taking advantage of San Diego’s mild climate, the building was designed to use natural cross-ventilation and daylight to cool and light the office. This was achieved by constructing roof monitors or clerestories on the south side of the roof to balance the north façade of curtain wall and create a spectacular volume of light over the main traffic corridor. North and south operable windows create the passive stack effect of ventilation. This strategy reduced the HVAC and lighting energy consumption by 51% better than a typical Title 24 compliant space.

“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” directed the decision-making for materials. 95% of the structural walls, slab, and roof deck intact in the new design as well as most of the existing curtain wall. Reuse of materials from the site and other sites were used throughout such as, doors, frames, windows, casework, desks, steel, finish wood, and structural lumber. High recycled content materials were selected throughout such as carpet, tile, drywall, metal studs, and composite wood, and more than 80% of the new wood used was FSC Certified lumber.

The theme of “Bringing the Outside In” is as much about creating a quality environment as it is about saving energy. All employees have access to views and outside air as there are few walls to impede access to perimeter glazing to the north, northwest, and southern facing roof monitors. Many aspects of DPR’s culture are thoughtfully designed into the space. The open office environment, the wine bar, the commitment and respect for the environment as well as the environment created for the employees: all are intentional reflections of DPR’s culture. Even the surfboards behind the reception desk are carefully selected representations of DPR’s four core values. The new DPR office respects the employees and the San Diego community and could potentially influence others how to create space that better fits the San Diego environment.

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