Designed in 2005 IDeAs was the owner, tenant and electrical engineer for the IDeAs Z2 Design Facility: the first net zero energy commercial office and ILFI certified Net Zero Energy building in the world. This existing building remodel was the proof of concept for future NZE buildings. All electric and offsetting 100% of its annual energy use, the building incorporated advanced plug load controls using occupancy sensors as well as the security system, BIPV arrays are integrated into the seamless cool roof membrane and the glass entry canopy, electrochromic glass to control glare and heat gain, a sophisticated daylighting design including wireless daylight harvesting lighting controls, a geothermal heat pump, radiant cooling and heating, and effective use of thermal mass in the walls and floors. The project was the first ILFI Certified Zero Net Energy building as well as NBI Net Zero Verified and in 2008 EDF Innovations Review named it a Game Changer.
