The Center was dedicated in March 2000. From the outside, it takes on the traditional lines of nearby buildings constructed in the early 1900s. Inside, it's engineered to allow its 400 occupants a great deal of control over their workspace environment. According to the Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics , uncomfortable temperatures are the most common complaints about office environments. Overheated or overcooled spaces are not only uncomfortable, they waste energy.
Sensors switch off the functions when workstations are empty.
Employees can also give feedback about their comfort level directly from their desktops to the building operator, so that temperature and airflow can be adjusted by building zone if needed. Using the DDC, the building operator adjusts the volume of fresh air brought inside based on the number of people in the building, rather than its size. Offices are fitted with pendant-mounted fluorescent fixtures that reflect light off the exposed interior structure of the building, left ceilingless so visitors can see controllers and actuators. The floor configuration is arranged to take advantage of daylight to further decrease lighting requirements. Photo by The company is pleased that the Center's features will educate the public about the advantages of a comfortable work environment.