Retained by the University of Idaho, both NBBJ and ZGA were chosen as associate firms to program, design and provide construction administration services for this $38 million, 215,000 sq. ft., 6 story office, classroom and laboratory building.  The Idaho Water Center has since become a collaboration among government, business and higher education entities dedicated to research, scholarship and water policy service to Idaho and the nation.

Facilities include administrative offices, distance learning classrooms, laboratories, and a flume laboratory used for ecohydrology research.

Environmentally “Green” building design features were used in in order to further conserve water and energy.

Features such as:

  • The use of geothermal water
  • Cooling provided by 2 groundwater production and 2 separate reinjection wells
  • High performance/energy efficient window glazing to reduce solar gain
  • Indirect/direct light fixtures with motion sensors
  • Exterior sun shading devices
  • Drought-resistant landscape