RAND, DMJM Think Green, Win Gold LEED:

Last month, the RAND Corporation’s new HQ in Santa Monica was given Gold LEED certification by the US Green Building Council. It was a first for both the think tank and its architects, DMJM Design.Built by Turner Construction Company, RAND’s new building, which is located just south of the site of its original buildings, reflects its belief in the interaction of disciplines, conservation and flexibility – the same principles that drove the design of its former buildings, which were built in 1951 and 1961. By incorporating efficient controls and HVAC system, as well as raised floors, vertical fins, and horizontal sun shades, the architects achieved an almost-perfect score in the subcategory of optimizing energy performance and an equally high score in the indoor environmental quality category. In addition, the building was given a perfect score in the innovation and design process category. The design team also employed a range of recycled materials – such as access flooring, precast concrete, steel reinforcement, steel doors and frames,– as well as furniture made with recycled materials by Steelcase and Herman Miller and Low VOC sealants.“Our new headquarters design stimulates and inspires creativity and collaboration among our researchers, who produce some of the most innovative and forward looking research and analysis in the world for our public and privatesector clients,” said RAND President and CEO James A. Thomson. “The headquarters also signals our continuing commitment to Southern California as our home, even as we extend RAND’s reach into more regions around the United States and the world.”