The Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver (MCA Denver), Colorado recently received its Gold certification from the USGBC (US Green Building Council) for its design, which includes a variety of energy efficiency and sustainability measures.

The museum houses five galleries, a store, a café, a live art/lecture hall, a rooftop deck, a research art library, and an “Idea Box” education center. The museum is a unique work of art itself, with the design by David Adjaye with Denver-based Davis Partnership Architects. Mortenson was the General Contractor for the museum.

The green design of the 27,000 ft2 building is predicted to use 32% less energy than a building meeting the 2004 version of the ASHRAE 90.1 energy efficiency standard.

The efficiency features include:

• Over 50% of the building’s exterior wall area is a double skin façade, consisting of an exterior insulating tinted curtain wall and an interior of Monopan© (a translucent, honeycomb patterned material)

• The mechanical system integrated with the façade to minimize space cooling and duct work

• Cooling load met with indirect-direct evaporative cooling system, which also adds moisture to the space to accommodate the dry Denver climate

• The exclusive use of outdoor air in cooling mode with exhaust air drawn out of the building through the double skin façade cavity.

• Humidity levels, important for the display of art, maintained by a modulating water flow

• Space heating provided by a radiant floor system

MCA cleaned up a former brownfield site which is two blocks from Union Station. This urban infill project provides reduced pollution and land development impacts from automobile use with its easy access by bus, foot, or bike. Over 70% of construction waste was recycled and the building materials have over 20% recycled content. The museum has a green roof garden that helps reduce the heat island effect and is planted with native Colorado species that use limited water throughout the year. Interior water use is also minimized through low-flow fixtures and waterless urinals. Superior interior air quality was achieved by using low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emitting materials such as paints and stains as well as providing exceptional ventilation and filtration methods. Enermodal Engineering was the LEED consultant and provided energy modeling as well.

LEED is the most recognized and prestigious green building rating system in North America. LEED is administered by the US Green Building Council, which uses the rating system to designate buildings—Certified , Silver, Gold, and Platinum – according to the green features they incorporate. For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Caitlin Carpenter at ccarpenter@enermodal.com.

Enermodal Engineering, a consulting firm dedicated to creating energy and resource efficient buildings, Enermodal has worked on some of North America’s most innovative and energy efficient projects, including the Museum of Contemporary Art (Colorado), Durango Public Library, and visitors centers in Denali National Park.

Above: MCA Denver's Promenade Space. Photo by Dean Kaufman.