SAN ANTONIO — The General Services Administration (GSA) has completed the restoration of the Hipolito Garcia Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in San Antonio. GSA said the courthouse is a model of its efforts to incorporate cost-saving energy efficiency measures and green building technologies in federally owned properties.

The renovated building is expected to achieve a 38.8 percent reduction in energy usage, which will result in energy cost savings of approximately $87,515 per year. Some of the key features GSA added to the Hipolito building during the renovation were high-efficiency boilers and chillers, advanced lighting control systems, advanced building automation system, energy recovery systems, solar photovoltaic panels, and a green roof. In addition, the building consumes about 50 percent less water as a result of replacing 70-year-old fixtures with new low flow fixtures.

The U.S. Green Building Council has certified the Hipolito facility with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for New Construction & Major Renovations platinum rating. The building is the first in GSA’s inventory to receive a platinum rating. The energy and water savings contributed heavily to the LEED certification as well as the use of recycled materials, locally produced materials, and daylight harvesting.

Publication date: 4/8/2013