The RMI Innovation Center

The Innovation Center is RMI’s state-of-the-art beyond net-zero energy office and convening center in Basalt, CO.

Tour the Innovation Center

What makes the Innovation Center so innovative? Hear from our design team during a brief video tour.

Check out how the building performs through this dashboard.

16

The building's energy use intensity (kBtu/sf/year)

74

%

more efficient than the average office in the same climate

100

y

design life, opposed to the average 30-year

WHY

The Innovation Center is the highest-performing building in the coldest climate zone in the U.S., producing more clean energy than it uses on an annual basis plus enough to power six electric vehicles. It is one of only 200 net-zero commercial buildings in the U.S. as of 2016, and provides a leading example of buildings that can solve the climate crisis.

About the Innovation Center

The Innovation Center, located in Basalt, Colorado, is a 15,610 square-foot office building and state-of-the-art convening center. To advance our mission and propel the industry, RMI designed the Innovation Center to demonstrate how net-zero carbon buildings should be designed, contracted, constructed, and occupied.

Photo by Pat Sudemeir

Why it Matters

The Innovation Center building is similar in size to 90% of U.S. commercial offices. Over half of all commercial buildings are owner occupied and office space is the largest use type. The Innovation Center is intended to serve as a groundbreaking model to push the boundaries of what’s possible with integrative, passive design and the business case for net-zero energy. It includes an advanced level of automation, metering, and controls that demonstrate where market gaps exist, and how the industry can move forward.

Who’s Involved

The Innovation Center’s level of design and performance was achieved thanks to a dedicated and multi-faceted team comprised of architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, and philanthropic partners.

CHANGE

How

Design Process and Team

Integrated project delivery helped align team goals and deliver results.

Passive Performance

The levels of efficiency achieved are due to integrated passive design and performance.

Photo by Pat Sudemeir

Innovative Thermal Comfort

Our groundbreaking approach to thermal comfort relies on six factors.

Renewable Energy

On-site generation, storage, and management allow beyond net-zero operation.

Other Sustainability Features

Biophilic design, water, and occupant engagement were other key performance enablers.

Photo by Pat Sudemeir

Take a Tour

Interested in touring the Innovation Center located at 22830 Two Rivers Road in Basalt, Colorado? Tours are scheduled upon request. Please contact outreach@rmi.org to schedule.

Rocky Mountain Institute is closely monitoring the coronavirus situation, and is taking all appropriate actions to provide our employees and communities a safe and healthy working environment.
All Innovation Center tours have been suspended until further notice.