NASA is working to provide solutions to some of the Earth’s biggest problems — including climate change. The organization will be holding a groundbreaking ceremony for its newest facility, Sustainability Base, on the site of the Ames Research Center in Sunnyvale, California.

 

“Sustainability Base will serve as a window to the future of humankind and a symbol of NASA’s continuing leadership in seeing, understanding and benefiting life on Earth.” Source: NASA

 

The contract for the project was just awarded last week. San Francisco-based Swinerton Inc will be building NASA Sustainability Base for a fixed price of $20,626,000.

 

“The name for the new facility is an homage to the Tranquility Base from the Apollo 11 moon landing of July 20, 1969, when NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to land and walk on the lunar surface.” Source: LiveScience

 

Upon completion, NASA Sustainability Base is expected to be the highest performing federal building and should easily qualify for LEED Platinum certification. In order to reach this lofty goal, the building is designed to achieve zero net energy consumption, reduce its operating and maintenance costs, and drastically reduce its water consumption. Initial plans call for a 90 percent reduction in potable water consumption. Additionally, the building will be cooled by 72 geothermal wells, smart lighting will be installed, and an on-site storm water management system will be used.

 

Sustainability Base is the newest project from NASA’s Greenspace Initiative.