Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center

Rocky Mountain Institute’s new headquarters in Basalt, Colorado is intended to serve as a practical model for the design, construction, and occupation of deep green buildings. Designed to be a 100-year building, the team utilized a variety of tools to achieve LEED Platinum, Net-Zero energy (NZE), Passive House Institute (PHIUS), and Living Building Challenge Petal certification. The building features a highly-insulated envelope with framing that includes structural insulating panels (SIPs) to provide the dual benefit of super insulation and airtightness. A unique two-way CLT floor with integrated electrical and plumbing systems permits higher ceilings on the first floor and maximizes the benefits of daylighting and natural ventilation. The roof holds an 83 kw solar-electric system and is designed to collect rainwater for on-site irrigation. The building includes offices for 50 employees and a conference center that holds 80, and has been designed to accommodate a future 4400-sf addition.