WATER + LIFE MUSEUMS
The Center for Water Education and The Western Center for Archaeology and Paleontology
Hemet, California

Architect: Lehrer + Gangi Design Build

Services Provided:
Mechanical and Plumbing

The Water + Life Museums complex is the first museum project to attain a LEED® Platinum rating. A collaborative project between the Municipal Water District and the Center for Archeology and Paleontology, this museum explores the relationship between water and life. The 85,000 square foot campus is spread over eight buildings: two main exhibit and research centers, two meeting centers, a café, small auditorium and a larger auditorium capable of seating over 300 people.

The development of the Water + Life project is a true design success story. The original HVAC and building design consisted of individual roof top package units with gas-fired furnaces for heating, and adequate glass for solar protection. Discussions within the design team and with the owner, about the nature, purpose and intent of the campus lead to an initiative to improve the performance of the campus and make it an example of effective, efficient design. This initiative not only covered energy reductions but also improvements to occupant comfort and the architectural integration of the conditioning systems. Taking a lead role with the design team IBE outlined critical areas of improvement, and helped set criteria for energy and envelope performance. Design enhancements included: Improved glazing, insulation, the introduction of a central plant system, hybrid air-radiant systems consisting of air handling units, radiant floors and radiant panels, and displacement ventilation in the main exhibit areas.

The final scheme designed by IBE also improved occupant comfort to below the recommended 10% PPD levels indicated in ASHRAE Standard 55, 2004.

The overall improvement to the building envelope and design of the HVAC system lead to the design of a complex which exceeded the original design by 47.6%, and was 30.2% below the requirements of the California Energy Code. The reduction of energy consumption also resulted in a reduction of predicted utility costs for the client which has been calculated to be in the order of $13,000 per year. In addition to this achievement, the campus was successfully enrolled in the Savings by Design program and recognized as meeting the requirements to receive a monetary incentive to the Owner for supporting the design of such an efficient campus.

This museum also received the following awards: the Beyond Green High Performance Award from the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council; the AIA Los Angeles Honor Award; the AIA Pasadena/Foothill Design Honor Award; and two Gold Nugget awards (Best Sustainable Commercial Project Grand Award and Best Public/Private Use Facility Merit Award).