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PROJECT PROFILE

Johnson Space Center

Building 26 “Columbia Center”

Houston, Texas

LEED for New Construction

21% Less energy 

30% Regional Materials

40% Reduced Potable Water Usage

45% Recycled Content

88% Construction Waste Diverted

LEED® Facts

NASA Johnson Space Center

Building 26

Houston, TX

LEED for New Construction version 2.2 -

Certification Awarded September, 2010

Gold 42*

Sustainable Sites 9/14

Water Efficiency 3/5

Energy & Atmosphere 6/17

Materials & Resources 5/13

Indoor Environmental Quality 14/15

Innovation & Design 5/5

*Out of a possible 69 points
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PROJECT PROFILE

NASA Johnson Space Center – Building 26 

“Columbia Center”

Enhancing Astronaut Performance

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Building 26 is the Center for Human Space Flight Performance and Research (CHSFPR), now 

named the “Columbia Center”. This facility is used for enhancing the health and well-being of 

astronaut crews preparing to support or returning from space flight. This facility promotes crew 

health and performance by housing a variety of aerobic and resistive exercise equipment, 

rehabilitation treatment areas, dedicated treatment personnel, specialized in-flight exercise 

hardware, and a two lane lap pool (natatorium) all in one location. 

SUSTAINABLE SITES (9/14)

2 bicycle storage facilities and 7 shower facilities have been provided. 3 preferred parking 

spaces for low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles have been provided on site. 70,146 square 

feet of dedicated open space has been provided. The project has implemented a storm water 

management plan that protects receiving stream channels from excessive erosion through 

stream channel protection and quantity control. 65.3% of the non-roof impervious surfaces onsite have been paved with highly reflective materials, and roofing materials used on the 

project have an average SRI value of 89.34.

WATER EFFICIENCY (3/5)

Installed irrigation systems reduce potable water consumption by 72.2% from a calculated 

baseline case. The project has reduced potable water use by 40% from a calculated baseline 

design through the installation of low-flow showers, sinks, lavatories and urinals, and dualflush water closets.

ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE (6/17)

The project has achieved an energy cost savings of 22.4% using the ASHRAE 90.1-2004 

Appendix G methodology. Energy efficiency measures include an improved thermal envelope, 

high efficiency glazing, reduced lighting power density, high efficiency boilers, and an efficient 

HVAC system. The project has purchased Green-e accredited Tradable Renewable 

Certificates (RECs) equal to 4437.9% of the predicted annual electrical consumption over a 2 

year period.

MATERIALS & RESOURCES (5/13)

The project has diverted 168 tons (87.9%) of on-site generated construction waste from 

landfill, and 45.4% of the total building materials content, by value, have been manufactured 

using recycled materials. 30.7% of the total building materials value is comprised of building 

materials and/or products that have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as 

manufactured within 500 miles of the project site. 

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (14/15)

CO2 concentrations are monitored within all densely occupied spaces and that direct airflow 

measurement devices have been provided for each mechanical ventilation system serving 

non-densely occupied spaces. The project to demonstrate that a minimum daylight 

illumination level of 25 footcandles has been achieved in a minimum of 85.59% of all regularly 

occupied areas.

INNOVATION IN DESIGN (5/5)

The project received exemplary performance for its innovation in recycled content usage, 

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

accommodation.

This facility enables the Johnson Space 

Center to implement a high level of 

strength conditioning and rehabilitation 

of astronauts to support existing and 

new initiatives directly related to human 

space flight. The consolidation of 

strength conditioning and rehabilitation 

functions was required to efficiently and 

closely monitor crew health, safety and 

performance. These two functions 

provide critical health maintenance 

services to every crew member on every 

human space flight mission. Each 

requires very close contact with medical 

and strength personnel to monitor 

astronaut’s physical status.

Owner: NASA, Johnson Space 

Center Architect: AECOM

Structural Engineer: AECOM

MEP Engineer: AECOM

Commissioning Authority: Page 

Sutherland Page

Contractor: LMC

Project Size: 22,621 SF

Project Cost: $8,676,539

Completion: February 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.