Monarc Construction, Inc. HQ

 

Monarch butterflies can migrate 1,060 hours without refueling. They are very energy efficient creatures.  Monarc Construction  Incorporated is looking to reinvigorate their company with the efficiency displayed by their namesake. For their twenty year anniversary in the year 2007, Monarc will be unveiling this Zero Energy building celebrating their commitment to sustainability and the future of the building industry.

 

Equipped with approximately 2,00 square feet of photovoltaic panels, solar screening, low energy lighting and computers, low flow plumbing, and state-of-the-art mechanical systems and controls. This building will operate almost totally self sufficiently. Capturing rainwater will provide for irrigation and task-related water usage. Energy efficient lighting will reduce heat gain. The existing inefficient 11,000 square foot industrial building is remodeled or metamorphosed into a new LEED-NC Platinum Sustainable facility.

 

The design is based on these three notions:

 

             Metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly

             Form studies of the aerodynamics of butterfly wings

             Structured color (iridescence) of butterfly wing scales

 

These three ideas inform the form, surface and container of the building.