C.W. Driver Companies, a premier builder serving California since 1919, recently broke ground on County of San Diego’s new Assessor, Recorder, County Clerk (ARCC) office in Santee. The building will be the nation’s first zero net energy archive facility and will maintain strict temperature and humidity conditions to preserve delicate archive materials properly. The single-story, 25,000-square-foot structure will be home to the East County Branch Office and Archives.

The ARCC building will unite a variety of County of San Diego functions and support the agency’s growth and expansion of services. The structure will house tax collector and recorder facilities in the north portion, with assessor and staff support services in the south. All office areas will enjoy natural light and provide views of the surrounding landscape. The county archives will be located within the building’s northeast corner and include highly insulated concrete walls that create a vault-like feel.

To accomplish zero net energy – and generate enough renewable energy to meet its own consumption requirements – the ARCC building and parking lot will support approximately 375 highly efficient photovoltaic cells and incorporate all building systems on electrical power. The ARCC building will also leverage natural daylight and breezes from the surrounding environment to maintain warm and cool temperatures in the building.

“Our team at C.W. Driver is pleased to once again bring our experience constructing complex energy efficient structures at the civic level to the County of San Diego, a leader in environmental stewardship and sustainability,” said C.W. Driver Companies’ project executive, Andy Feth. “Constructing a self-sustaining, energy-efficient facility with strict temperature and humidity requirements comes with its challenges, but we are excited to get to work and help the county meet its goal of having all of its new buildings achieve zero net energy.”

The County of San Diego Board of Supervisors adopted its Climate Action Plan in February 2018 to address sustainability and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions within the county. The ARCC building’s energy-efficient design, which meets LEED Gold and zero net energy specifications, aligns with the County’s long-term energy goals.

Designed by international architect and planning firm The Miller Hull Partnership, the ARCC facility is located at 10144 Mission Gorge Road. It will accommodate approximately 60 county employees, with construction slated for completion in late 2019.

C.W. Driver Companies’ other projects for the County of San Diego include the Ramona Branch Library, Fallbrook Branch Library and the Alpine Branch Library, a zero net energy building.

 

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East County Magazine

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