Sustainable Design Features of the Docking State Office Building Renovation

Please join us for a project presentation and happy hour at Lenexa Public Market.

While the Docking State Office Building is not a laboratory, this high-performing building encompasses many unique sustainable design features that are worth highlighting and could be featured in other high-technology facilities. Designed by Clark Huesemann and PGAV Architects, the new Docking State Office Building represents a modern new chapter within the Kansas State Capital Complex. Built in 1957, the Docking State Office Building (formerly named the Kansas State Office Building) was one of the first public buildings installed in Kansas. With both sustainability and the sentiment of the original building in mind, the new design encompasses a contemporary look while preserving original artifacts and materials. Originally spanning 530,000+ square feet and 14 stories tall, the new Docking State Office Building is now four stories and features open offices for various agencies, a fitness center, a cafe, and exhibition center. The demolition effort was extensive in maintaining the existing materials, as well as maintaining operation of the basement and sub-basement, which houses the central utility plant serving several other buildings within the Kansas State Capital Complex. Further, the envelope of the building was studied extensively to ensure energy targets were achieved.

Mechanically, Docking offers a multitude of unique, energy-efficient strategies to achieve its carbon goals. An all-glass facade in the atrium celebrates the view to the Capital. While largely glass walls are typically an area of concern, Docking’s was turned into an asset by integrating it into the ventilation and instituting electrochromatic glass. All building outside air passes through the atrium prior to entering the DOAS. An enhanced ventilation strategy was employed to improve workplace performance. The atrium is utilized to preheat the outside air in the winter, while the electrochromatic glass blocks 90% of the heat gain in the summer. Further methods of pretreating the outside air are employed to offset the energy consumption of the enhanced ventilation strategy. The basement houses a thermal labyrinth which partially utilizes the existing vault, constructed of 16” concrete walls. The thermal labyrinth provides sensible precooling of the ventilation air in the summer. In the winter, outside air is preheated via transpired solar collector. Additional energy-efficient means of pretreating the outside air takes place via heat recovery coils from a run-around loop and cooling/heating coils provided by the existing water-to-water heat recovery chillers. Strategic zoning was employed, utilizing dual duct variable air volume terminal units consisting of ventilation air at one inlet and recirculating air handling units for space conditioning at the other inlet.

The Docking State Office Building goals include a 30% increase in fresh air for improved cognitive function, a strong visual connection to the Capital, 46% embodied carbon reduction through building reuse, improved envelope and local heating and cooling systems, high visual comfort achieved through daylight shelve, and a 45% reduction in energy savings compared to modern code. With construction set to be complete later in 2025, the Docking State Office Building is on track to execute the ambitious performance goals set.

Thursday, July 24th from 3:30 - 5:30 PM
Lenexa City Market
8750 Penrose Ln., Lenexa, KS 66219

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