Santa Monica Designs Greenest Municipal Building in the World

Amber Richane, Project Manager for the city of Santa Monica's new City Services Building, on the city's commitment to building the world's most sustainable public building.

1 minute read

November 22, 2019, 1:00 PM PST

By Clare Letmon


Santa Monica, California

A rendering of the planned Santa Monica City Services Building (CSB). / City of Santa Monica

The Living Building Challenge is the most rigorous sustainable building certification attainable, going beyond the design-based approach of LEED and requiring beginning-to-end operational compliance with strict, regenerative triple net-zero standards. TPR spoke to Amber Richane, project manager for the city of Santa Monica's new City Services Building, on the city's commitment to building the world's most sustainable public building. 

Richane walks readers through the innovative technology and design behind the $1,500/square foot 'living' City Hall Annex that will not import or export any water, energy, or waste, commenting:

"We’ve instituted 100 percent clean, green power default for residents and businesses through the regional Clean Power Alliance, and this ‘City Services Building’ is the next level commitment in continuing to drive sustainability. It will be the greenest municipal building in the world"

Monday, October 28, 2019 in The Planning Report

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