This world-class center for environmental research and education is a joint venture between Sierra Nevada College, the University of California, Davis, the Desert Research Institute, and the Rand Corporation. It was conceived as an exemplary building that would embody the principles of sustainable design, energy and resource conservation, and the protection of human and environmental health. The 40,000 sf building houses intensive laboratories, classrooms, and offices, and uses a variety of innovative mechanical designs, including chilled induction diffusers, low flow displacement ventilation, radiant floor heating, capstone turbine cogeneration, 30K of BIPV (building integrated photovoltaics), lab exhaust heat recovery, evaporative cooling tower, chilled water storage tanks, direct evaporative cooling in air handlers, and a demonstration solar hot water heater. Plumbing design features include waterless urinals, low flush toilets, and a unique system for collecting and treating rainwater for reuse in toilet flushing, trap primers, and cooling systems. The building has achieved energy savings of 60% over ASHRAE 90.1, and 65% water savings over traditional systems.