Skip to main content

LADWP’s John Ferraro Building Sets an Example for Design Efficiency

 

Featured image credit: LADWP

You could argue that architecture is, by definition, functional art, but one building in Los Angeles takes this concept further than most. We’ll call it by its official name, the John Ferraro Building. But you likely recognize it as the headquarters of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), colloquially referred to as the LADWP building. In a textbook example of “walking the walk”, the John Ferraro Building exhibits a slew of energy-saving features that marry seamlessly with its sophisticated aesthetic. 

The Streamlined Aesthetic of the John Ferraro Building

Photo credit: LADWP

In 1965, workers completed construction on a 17-story design in the International style by A.C. Martin and Associates that would immediately serve the needs of the largest municipality utility in the country. With each floor (15 above ground and two below) measuring approximately an acre, it adequately accommodates just under one-third of LADWP’s employees. 

Today, the John Ferraro Building continues to strike a significant yet unassuming figure against downtown Los Angeles from its devoted city block along North Hope Street. You can find it just west of the Civic Center looking eastward toward City Hall. It adopted the John Ferraro Building moniker in 2000 in homage to the city’s longest-serving city councilman (and Council President) who represented the 4th District from 1966 until 2001 when he passed away. 

Fittingly enough, it almost resembles an enormous battery looming over its mirrored moat bisected by a welcoming slate bridge. White concrete floor plates punctuate dark glass recessed walls for a uniform serration leading up to a flat roof offering a helipad hidden behind a two-story parapet. During the day, the windowed curtain walls remain dark and mysterious. In the evening, they are set ablaze with light, revealing the interior of the John Ferraro Building. 

Photo credit: Alossix

Accolades and Milestones

In 2012, the building achieved status as a Los Angeles Historical Cultural Monument. But that may be the least stunning accomplishment of the John Ferraro Building. In 2016, the facility netted the prestigious LEED Gold Certification for outstanding energy efficiency. Then, in 2018, it made history by being the first building in the state to achieve eligibility for the illustrious LEED Zero Energy rating as instituted by the U.S. Green Building Council. 

It officially received this honor in 2019, signifying annual operation with an astounding net zero carbon emissions. LADWP alleges it met this stringent requirement by installing state-of-the-art LED technology and promoting water and power conservation by offering rebates. Yet, the John Ferraro Building itself also had a great deal to do with the achievement. 

Innovative Features of the John Ferraro Building


 

The purely electric John Ferraro Building uses a host of energy-efficient innovations in its design to consistently practice what it preaches. Some of the most notable examples include:

  • Cooling Moat – A raised moat surrounding the facility isn’t just for appearances. The voluminous reflecting pool serves to keep the building cooler throughout the year, contributing to its sustainable energy use. Beneath the moat, you’ll find the facility’s parking garage, accommodating up to 2,400 vehicles. 
  • Solar Modules – In recent years, LADWP has outfitted the parking area of the John Ferraro Building with cutting-edge solar modules. These modules can generate over three times the amount of energy as standard solar panels; enough to power 277 houses. Every year, they generate 1661 megawatt hours, canceling out 578 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. 
  • Battery Storage Test Facility – A corner of the parking lot was devoted to LADWP’s battery energy storage system pilot project. The initiative sought to measure the life of current battery technology for LADWP clients. 

Despite its innovation and elegant aesthetic, the John Ferraro Building tends to get lost in the shadow of Downtown LA’s more prominent skyscrapers. Yet, it’s a unique testament to creativity, fusing fashion and function seamlessly while setting a laudable example. If you happen to drive by it in the wee hours, don’t worry about its steady radiance. It’s good for it!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How Terrible Herbst Rose to Become the Best Bad Guy in the West

  Featured image credit: Elizabeth K. Joseph Few companies have risen quickly in the esteem of patrons by offering a truly terrible experience. It’s not the only distinction that sets Terrible’s apart from other businesses. You may better recognize the brand as Terrible Herbst or the Terrible Herbst Convenience Store; a mainstay of Las Vegas life since 1959. Terrible’s made its name by keeping people moving through their daily lives with an extra spring in their step. And they often deliver their countless services in quirky ways that fit the non-conformist anything-goes spirit of the city. Today, we take a closer look at the most terrible brand in the West.  “The P.T. Barnum of Gasoline” Photo credit: Coolcaesar It was in 1938 that Edward R. Herbst opened the far less memorably named Martin Oil in Chicago. It was his first gas station and he already had big ideas for it. In those days, gas stations were primarily focused on providing gasoline to mot...
Post a Comment
Read more

Are You Using Your Green Trash Bin? Who’s Actually Following LA’s Composting Law?

  We know we’ve got nothing but law-abiding citizens reading the JohnHart blog… riiiight? Well, what about the laws you don’t know about? Now, before you get defensive, hear us out: who here actually knows (and follows) LA’s composting law? You know, the reason you have that green trash bin? It’s not just for yard waste if that’s what you’re thinking. As of 2023, Angelenos have been required by law to compost their “green waste”; basically food scraps, yard waste, and the like. Just to clarify, this law applies to the city of Los Angeles. Other municipalities (and the state as a whole) have their own composting laws. In fact, California was the second state (after Vermont) to pass such a law. Now, let’s take a closer look at the city of LA’s green waste law if, for no other reason, than it could save you from a hefty fine!  Ever Heard of Organics LA? Perhaps Organics LA could use a marketing push. That’s the name of a program meant to prioritize the collectio...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Rancho Palos Verdes Landslides Are a Horror 250,000 Years in the Making

  Featured image credit: Dave Proffer We’ve all heard horror stories of homeownership woe. A flooding upstairs bathroom crashing down into a home’s lower level. The spark of electrical wiring burning down a dream. Unseen black mold contaminating everything it touches. But you’ve heard of nothing quite like what’s happening right now in the coastal community of Rancho Palos Verdes. Once a bastion of multi-million dollar seaside properties, heightened landslide activity means Rancho Palos Verdes is threatening to slide away. Southern California Edison (SCE) is cutting power… in some cases, indefinitely. Los Angeles is throwing money at the problem. And Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency. As residents continue to dig in and fight for their beachfront homes, the awkward question remains: when do we declare Rancho Palos Verdes uninhabitable?  Not Exactly a Recent Problem Photo credit: Lizzie McVeigh The volatility of Rancho Palos Verdes’s land i...
Post a Comment
Read more