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PROJECT PROFILE

LEED® Facts

NASA Johnson Space Center

Building 20

Houston, TX

LEED for New Construction version 2.1 -

Certification Awarded September, 2010

Platinum 55*

Sustainable Sites 11/14

Water Efficiency 4/5

Energy & Atmosphere 13/17

Materials & Resources 7/13

Indoor Environmental Quality 15/15

Innovation & Design 5/5

*Out of a possible 69 points

Johnson Space Center

Building 20

Houston, Texas

LEED for New Construction

29% Regional Materials

30% Recycled Content

40% Reduced Potable Water Usage

57% Less energy 

96% Construction Waste Diverted

100% Tradable Renewable Certificates
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PROJECT PROFILE

NASA Johnson Space Center – Building 20

A Significant Milestone for the Agency

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Building 20 is distinguished as the first LEED Platinum building within the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration. The building features a demand control ventilation 

system, an under floor air distribution system, a highly efficient domestic water system, and an 

energy recovery wheel for the pre-treatment of outside air. 

SUSTAINABLE SITES (11/14)

The project site is located within 0.5 miles of 11 community services and a residential district 

with a minimum density of 10 units per acre. Building 20 also provides bicycle storage for 5% 

of the building occupants and shower facilities for 0.7% of the building occupants. There are 9 

preferred parking spaces for low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles have been provided which 

represents 5.2% of the total onsite parking provided for the project. 54% of the site area (not 

within the building footprint ) has been restored with native planting. 289,500 square feet of 

vegetated area is set aside by NASA JSC that will not be developed. 100% of the total roof 

area consists of an Energy Star rated roofing material with emissivity of at least 0.9.

WATER EFFICIENCY (4/5)

The project has reduced potable water use by 40.25% from a calculated baseline design 

through the installation of waterless urinals, dual-flush water closets, and low-flow lavatories 

and sinks. Water efficient landscaping was reduced by 50% through incorporation of a 

condensate holding tanks for irrigation.

ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE (13/17)

Energy efficiency measures incorporated into the building design include lower lighting power 

densities, a more efficient envelope, occupancy and day light sensors and an under floor air 

distribution system. The project performs 57.8% better than ASHRAE 90.1-1999 requirements 

using the ECB method. Additionally, Building 20 has a 2-year purchase agreement to procure 

100% of the project's regulated annual electric energy is purchased from a power supply that 

meets the Green-E definition for renewable power. No CFC-based refrigerants (ozone 

depleting) substances were used in the HVAC nor fire suppression systems. 

MATERIALS & RESOURCES (7/13)

The project has diverted 2,243.65 tons (96.92%) of on-site generated construction waste from 

landfill. 29.45% of the total building materials content, by value, has been manufactured using 

recycled materials. 

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (15/15)

The project has installed a CO2 monitoring system that provides feedback on space 

ventilation performance. Designated smoking areas have been located at least 25 feet from 

building openings and air intakes. The design achieves an air change effectiveness of 0.9 or 

greater in each ventilated zone. Low emitting materials were used in construction that comply 

with the VOC limits . The project has achieved a minimum 2% daylight factor in 75% of all 

space occupied for critical visual tasks, and has enabled direct line of sight views from a 

minimum of 90% of all space occupied for critical visual tasks. 

INNOVATION IN DESIGN (5/5)

The project received exemplary performance for its innovation in materials and resources, 

potable water reduction, use of Tradable Renewable Certificates, and open space 

accommodation.

“Facility occupants will benefit 

from a building designed to 

provide natural daylight to all 

office spaces. The design 

includes natural light in the 

stairwells, bicycle racks, and 

showers to encourage 

employee health and fitness.” 

Charles Noel, NASA JSC 

Project Manager for Building 20

Owner: NASA, Johnson Space Center 

Architect: HOK Architects

Structural Engineer: Walter P. Moore

MEP Engineer: HOK Architects

Commissioning Authority: Page 

Sutherland Page

Contractor: Satterfield & Pontikes

Project Size: 83,205 SF

Project Cost: $25,303,516

Completion: January 2010

Photography: NASA

ABOUT LEED

The LEED Green Building Rating 

System is the national benchmark for 

the design, construction, and operations 

of high-performance green buildings. 

Visit the U.S. Green Building Council’s 

Web site at www.usgbc.org and the TX 

Gulf Coast Chapter of USGBC at 

www.usgbctexasgulfcoast.org to learn 

more about how you can make LEED 

work for you.