Re-birth, Emergence, and Promise
The key goal and opportunity for The Mint Project is making it the most sustainably innovative National Historic Landmark in the United States.
With such a prominent structure, the Mint provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate sustainable design in a public setting and set a precedent for existing buildings and other landmark structures to follow.
Rooftop rendering courtesy of HOK
- The Mint Project will foster stewardship and environmental participation through aspirations of LEED Platinum certification, carbon neutrality, visitor education, and community inspiration.
- When certified, the Old U.S. Mint will be the only LEED certified National Historic Landmark in the City of San Francisco and California.
Rooftop rendering courtesy of HOK
Strategies currently planned include:
Natural Daylight
The intention of the central courtyard was to provide natural daylight throughout the building's interior spaces. The existing floor in the courtyard is not original and was built in 1914 which restricted light from entering the ground floor below. Modification to this floor will allow the daylight to reach the ground floor once again and celebrate the grand space at the heart of the building's interior.
Natural Ventilation
Visible in historic photos, the Mint was originally able to benefit from natural ventilation. Over the years windows were sealed and mechanical systems were introduced which encroach on the historic fabric of the interior. We now have the opportunity to open the windows in specific zones to take advantage of a natural ventilation strategy, as the building was first designed.
Occupational Zones
In order to accommodate new uses throughout the building's interior, localized zones can be monitored and controlled to efficiently treat specific needs. In areas where thermal massing may not regulate temperature, radiant heating will be introduced to offset the difference.
Water Use
Capturing rainwater will be a key factor in the new use of the Mint. With a canopy drainage system rainwater can be harvested, treated and stored for uses throughout the building. The opportunity to feed vegetation on the roof is only one opportunity. More importantly, the water can be reused to provide specific plumbing supply water and at the same time minimize a reliance on local resources.