California has the most stringent emissions standards in the U.S., and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is the rule maker and regulator for the state. Working with ZGF Architects and Hensel Phelps, Colin Gordon Associates performed vibration and acoustic services for the design and construction of a new 403,306 sf LEED Platinum facility for CARB. The new Mary D. Nichols Campus, centralizes engineers, scientists, testing technicians, chemists, enforcement officers, and office personnel who had all been scattered in different buildings throughout southern California. This project ultimately blurred the line between industrial and normal office environments, which brought to CGA several unique acoustical challenges. For instance, the design was required to allow for the observation of operating vehicle testing booths, which included noisy vehicles, dynamometers, fans, and other equipment without exceeding noise specifications appropriate for office spaces. Another challenge was the requirement to be able to operate the facility near a relatively quiet residential neighborhood without exceeding local noise ordinances.
The new CARB is the first net zero energy facility of it’s kind.
Inside California’s stunning new testing facility for auto pollution (fastcompany.com)