Boulder Creek, CA

San Lorenzo Valley Water District Facilities Consolidation Project
James Mueller, General Manager
(831) 338-2153
13060 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek
Budget: Undisclosed

This Project will consolidate Water District operations into a common facility. To this end the Program Brief includes design of a 1.75 acre site, adaptive re-use/conversion of an existing 8,000sf commercial building to serves as District Office Building, construction of a 1,500sf Board of Directors building addition, and construction of a new 8,000sf Operations Building.

Site design presents special challenges in coordinate competing program elements including circulation and parking elements, advanced-technology sanitary facilities, storm-water detention structures, storage yards, a watering station and fueling station in addition to the building program.

Design services were underway when client evinced interest in seeking LEED certification. Situated in one of Monterey Bay Sanctuary’s watersheds, responsible stewardship had already dictated site features protective of groundwater including advanced wastewater processing technology and Storm-water Best Management Practices. Beyond this, the clients interest in sustainable features had led to the design of a solar electric (photovoltaic) system anticipated to be rated at 49.7kW dc.

Responding to the District’s request to investigate implementing LEED, Daniel Matthew Silvernail Architect began by assessment of the costs/benefits, tangible and intangible, accruing to LEED, during the course of which it became apparent that certification could be obtained at relatively little additional expense to the District over basic project costs.

Targets identified under LEED include credits for Alternative Transportation, Stormwater Design, Water Efficiency, Optimized Energy, On-site Renewable Energy, Recycled Content Materials, Daylighting, and Innovation in Design. Certification is proceeding in conjunction with ministerial permit activities and its obtainment is anticipated to be this winter.

Coordinating a robust consultant team, Daniel Matthew Silvernail Architect as architect-of-record is currently shepherding the project through Phase Two of five phases of service. Subsequent phases will entail discretionary (Development Permit) and ministerial (Building Permit) regulatory processes, bidding, and construction contract administration phase services.