National Wildlife Federation New Headquarters Office Building
(NWF Headquarters)

The left side of the southern facade, shown in this photo, features a "green trellis" that will form a screen wall 6 feet (2 m) in front of the building face. Deciduous vines will provide shade during spring, summer, and fall. In the winter (pictured), the building will benefit from heat gain. Energy modeling proved this system to be less expensive than architectural sunscreen designs.

Photo credit: Hedrich Blessing

Overview

Location: Reston, VA
Building type(s): Park, Commercial office, Interpretive Center, Recreation
New construction
95,000 ft2 (8,830 m2)
Project scope: 3-story building
Suburban setting
Completed 2000

The new headquarters for the National Wildlife Federation is a 95,000 ft2 (8,800 m2) office building located in Reston, Virginia, adjacent to the 475-acre (190 ha) Lake Fairfax Park.

The building houses office space as well as an education and training center dedicated to education outreach. The J. D. Hair Center, which is located on the ground level, receives visitors of all ages interested in learning about wildlife and conservation.

A communicating stair, open conference areas, a community lunchroom and fitness center, picnic areas, and trails through the site have all been developed to create a positive workplace environment that will enhance collaboration.

Environmental Aspects

While NWF initiated its move to a new facility in order to reduce operating costs, the new headquarters building was also seen as an opportunity to expand its educational outreach mission—in terms of both the work housed in the headquarters and the design. NWF embraced the tension between its ideals and its program funding objectives and described its vision for the building as one that would follow a "common sense and common ground" approach to conservation.

The goal for the new facility was to create an inspiring, healthy workplace with modern communication tools and daily contact with wildlife and their habitats in order to foster continuous learning and advance educational outreach. Additional goals identified by NWF included the desire to enhance quality of life and productivity; to encourage community, teamwork, and collegiality; and to reflect the history and culture of NWF.

Owner & Occupancy

Owned and occupied by National Wildlife Federation, Corporation, nonprofit

Building Programs

Indoor Spaces:	Lobby/reception, Dining, Office, Gymnasium, Restrooms
Outdoor Spaces:	Interpretive landscape, Wildlife habitat, Patio/hardscape, Restored landscape, Pedestrian/non-motorized vehicle path, Parking

Keywords

Green framework, Simulation, Wildlife habitat, Indigenous vegetation, Stormwater management, Efficient fixtures and appliances, Massing and orientation, Lighting control and daylight harvesting, Efficient lighting, Benign materials, Recycled materials, Local materials, Occupant recycling, Connection to outdoors, Daylighting, Ventilation effectiveness, Low-emitting materials

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Process

Last updated: 6/3/2004

Our thanks to the ENERGY STAR program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and to the U.S. Department of Energy, and to BuildingGreen, Inc. for hosting the submission and judging forms.