Environmental sustainability will be a key feature at Future City Hall

Published on December 05, 2022

The City purchased the former Pier 1 building at 100 Energy Way to transform the way municipal services are delivered in Fort Worth. The move will bring functions from 22 departments from 14 buildings into the site. The existing tower is undergoing changes to support a welcoming and functional space for municipal government.

To ensure the campus meets the City’s ongoing efforts to drive sustainability, the project team has developed a number of innovative environmental approaches that represent the latest techniques in construction and building management. These are some of those focus areas:

New Council Chamber

• Designed to LEED Gold Standard. Certification is still to be determined, but LEED design standards will be met.
• Plumbing. New fixtures will be lower flow.
• Air quality. Vestibules are planned at building entrances. New, efficient HVAC equipment will feature MERV-13 filtration that captures more particles than typical filtration.
• Materials. Contractors will use a lot of the existing finishes in the building’s lobby, and sustainable material will be specified throughout.
• Furniture. Manufacturers must meet standards for recycling, sourcing, volatile organic compounds and waste. The Council Chamber will make use of ergonomic furniture, task lights and sit-stands.
• Lighting/electrical. Shared daylight harvesting and new sustainable LED lighting will be installed throughout.
• Daylighting. The structure will be one of the only municipal chambers in the country using significant natural light.
• Electric vehicle charging. EV charging locations will be installed in the new parking garage and amended garage areas.
• Wind energy. Designers are exploring the use of wind tunnel patterns for energy use.

The site

• Concrete. High solar reflectance index value concrete will reduce the heat island effect.
• Locally sourced materials. Concrete, limestone boulders, permeable paver and more will be used in the areas surrounding Future City Hall.
• Native plants. Texas natives have lower water requirements and create biodiversity. Mixed species of trees will expand the landscape beyond the existing oak monoculture. Trees will provide shade and help reduce the heat island effect. Crews will take special steps to protect the large existing trees that help contain site runoff along Forest Park Boulevard.
• Efficient irrigation. A weather-based system will monitor soil moisture, winds and precipitation. The system will use smart scheduling technologies; maintain existing tower condensate water capture and use that water for irrigation onsite, to be supplemented by the potable water supply.
• Green stormwater infrastructure. Per Tarrant Regional Water District requirements, the site will capture and treat runoff to remove suspended solids from the impervious surfaces before entering the drainage system to the Clear Fork of the Trinity River.
• Dark sky lighting. To help maintain migratory bird and insect patterns.
• Dog waste stations. To help maintain water quality in the Clear Fork.

Existing tower updates

• Plumbing. Any new fixtures will be lower flow.
• Furniture. Existing surplus furniture will be reused at City departments and with local nonprofit organizations.
• Lighting/electrical. Shared daylight harvesting and new sustainable LED lighting throughout.
• Window shades. Contractors are adding new shades for light and temperate control.
• Daylighting. With reorientation of work spaces, there will be more access to views and natural day light
• Recycling and composting. Planners are exploring new, targeted programs in these areas.

Photo: A variety of native plants will ring the patio outside the new Council Chamber wing, providing beauty, shade and groundwater retention.

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