Sustainable Research Campus Planning at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden Colorado

Laura Burnett, Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC
Marc Stutzman, and Martin Eiss, RNL Design
Nancy Carlisle, National Renewable Laboratory

Objectives:

1. Introduce a brief history of campus planning and its current values and goals
2. Outline standards and goals for achieving and maintaining a sustainable site
3. Present the recently completed NREL master plan's methods and results as a case study.

The ideal campus, as a human gathering place to create and refine ideas, has been in the making for thousands of years. The best of these institutions, whether intended for study of theology, commerce, the arts, or science and technology share fundamental principles in their composition of elements (buildings, circulation and open space). These places contribute to the long-term success of an institution by attracting and retaining quality people and extending the identity of the institution to the greater community.

The ideal campus master plan documents a comprehensive vision addressing the following interrelated components:

• Mission of the institution
• Program for growth and operations
• Site issues and opportunities
• Implementation and on-going refinement of the master plan

Findings:

With the campus master plan for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory as a case study the findings illustrate how principles of sustainable design are planned for:

• Parking and circulation
• Density
• Campus Image
• Security
• Material Handling
• Storm water management
• Energy design strategy

The unique mission of NREL is to develop renewable energy and energy efficient technologies (RE/EE) and practices. NREL initiated its yearlong master planning process with establishment of a working group to identify and engage stakeholders, work with executive management to establish values and guide the process.

Goals for the master plan included consolidating Department of Energy staff and operations to a main campus that serves to inspire world interest in RE/EE technologies and demonstrate sustainable design and environmental stewardship. Growth is expected to be 3-5% annually for the 25-year planning horizon.

The 327-acre property is located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains providing beautiful views and a harsh climate. The few existing buildings are aligned along the mile long access drive/utility corridor. Adjacent property offers riparian habitat, historic military decommissioned district and a growing residential community.

The master plan contains descriptive and graphic recommendations including:

• Framework for sustainable buildings around a core of attractive and useful open space served by circulation and utility routes
• Establishment of an enterprise zone for private development related to NREL
• Public education and community outreach and partnering opportunities
• Safety and security as a DOE facility
• Onsite storm water detention basins
• Campus character and identity
• Phased implementation based on the realities of funding
• Evaluating progress

Labs21 Connection:

NREL is a leader in RE/EE research and technology. Its current facilities are widely recognized as advances in sustainable building design. Its staff and researchers are dedicated and enthusiastic to share their discoveries within their community and the world. With necessary growth and consolidation theirs will be a self sustaining campus, creating its own energy, recycling its waste, enhancing the lives of the community, celebrating the past and inspiring the future.

NREL's master plan addresses the challenge, shared by every growing institution, to not compromise goals in sustainability (consumption of resources and quality of life for the community) for the sake of short-term gain. Its master plan is based on a strongly supported foundation of its mission and goals, a realistic understanding of the challenges and a clearly defined vision for its campus character.

Biographies:

Laura Burnett, ASLA, is a licensed landscape architect with over 18 years of experience in a range of projects for public agencies, universities and multi-agency organizations, including urban design, habitat restoration, transit-oriented facilities, and park and open space resource projects. Ms. Burnett is a Senior Associate with Wallace Roberts & Todd, Inc. in San Diego, CA. Throughout her work in the planning and design of campus facilities, parks, cities, and regional open space systems, the focus is on the functional and aesthetic interface of human activity and natural systems. Her involvement in highly creative projects includes the design and management of collaborative projects with architects, engineers, economists, public artists, and specialist consultants.

Education:
Master of Landscape Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Boston, MA, 1986
Bachelor of Science, Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University College of Forestry and Natural Resources, 1983

Marc Stutzman, ASLA, is a Senior Associate and Studio Director for Urban Design/Landscape Architecture at RNL, Mr. Stutzman has more than thirteen years experience as a Landscape Architect and Planner. He has managed many types of master plans including university campuses, public open spaces, civic centers, private business parks, and public facility complexes. Other project experience includes downtown and business park streetscapes, large-scale park projects, transit oriented developments, urban plazas, residential developments, and golf course projects. His concern for the environment and ultimate sustainability of each project brings unique perspective to the multi-disciplinary teams he manages.

Martin E. Eiss, AIA, Associate Principal. Since joining RNL in 1983, Martin Eiss has been involved in many architecture, master planning, and interior design projects as Project Architect, Planner and Manager. As a seasoned veteran of RNL, Mr. Eiss brings a balance of design talent and management experience to his project teams. He enjoys working in team situations that take advantage of his natural ability to inspire project communication and enthusiasm.

Nancy Carlisle, AIA, is a Senior Program Leader at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden Colorado and liscenced Architect in the state of Colorado. At NREL, she is leading the effort to develop NREL's 25 Year General Development Plan, is the team leader overseeing the technical assistance support provided by NREL to the Federal Energy Management Program to support Federal agencies incorporate energy efficiency and renewables in building construction and has been a member of the Labs21 core technical team since the program's inception. She has worked at NREL over 20 years, in research, analysis, design and outreach activities that promote the design sustainable low energy buildings. She is a LEED™ accredited professional and recognized as a Fellow in the American Solar Energy Society. She holds Masters degrees in both Architecture and Urban Planning and a bachelor's degree in Economics (with an emphasis in environmental studies).