San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, Sweetwater Bay, Administration Headquarters

Description

The Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex is located in the southern portion of the eastern shore of California’s San Diego Bay in the city of Chula Vista, California.  The proposed building site is on the disturbed uplands known as Gunpowder Point, and the surrounding marsh offers resting, foraging, and nesting areas for a diverse assemblage of birds.

The SDNWR Administrative Headquarters/ Visitor Contact Station is a single story 6,510 sf building consisting of individual office space, multi-occupant work areas, and a group learning space. The new facilities will accommodate 15 Fish and Wildlife Service staff and provide workspace for two volunteers associated with the Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges group.  Public uses that occur on Gunpowder Point include wildlife observation along existing trails, photography, interpretation, and environmental education. The new Visitor Contact Station will serve as a “portal” to connect people with nature, increase usage of the Refuge’s trails and enhance the visitor experience.  The building features an architectural design created with the goal of discouraging bird strikes on building windows.  The design of the building achieves enhanced energy performance, increased indoor air quality and water efficiency by utilizing a smart lighting design, low VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials, and high efficiency plumbing fixtures.

Project Info
Location: 1080 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Project Area: 6,510 sf
Project Type: Federal Government
Version: LEED NC 2009
Certification Level: Gold
Points Achieved: 62
Certification Date: 10/24/2011

Project Team
Owner: US Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service
Architect: Line and Space, LLC
Landscape Architect: Neri Landscape Architect
Civil, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Engineers: GLHN Architects and Engineers
Structural Engineer: Holben Martin and White
General Contractor: PCL Construction
Commissioning Agent:  CTG Energetics
LEED Consultant: Drew George & Partners