The American Geophysical Union (AGU) announced formal approval from its Board of Directors to undertake a $41.7 million complete renovation of its 62,000-square-foot headquarters building, located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. AGU is aspiring to be the first organization in the District of Columbia to renovate an existing commercial building to achieve net zero goals.
AGU is an organization dedicated to advancing science and ensuring a sustainable future. Recognizing that the aging building and infrastructure would require a major renovation after 20 years of service, AGU seized upon an opportunity to lead by example. In addition to creating a welcoming and collaborative space for its members and the D.C. community that would facilitate the understanding of Earth and space science, the organization chose to design and engineer the modernization of the building to meet net zero goals. In so doing, AGU will be able to showcase real-world scientific advancement through innovative sustainable technology. The project is expected to be a model for reducing the carbon and environmental impacts of business operations in a cost-effective and replicable way.
"AGU strives to be an innovative leader and partner that advances and communicates science's power to ensure a sustainable future – which must include re-envisioning our workplaces as livable, interconnected environments that are energy efficient, minimize our carbon footprint in the public space, and provide a healthy and dynamic ecosystem for our members and staff," said AGU's Executive Director and CEO Chris McEntee. "It must also provide an opportunity to pave the way for others looking to incorporate similar approaches and designs into new and existing facilities throughout our city."