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Overview

The Rocky Mountain Institute, a CO-based think tank devoted to researching and promoting energy efficiency and sustainability in building construction and operation, erected this office space for itself to serve as a global model of a Net Zero, high-performance building. The Innovation Center was erected in 2014-2015 in Basalt, CO, on the border of Eagle and Pitkin Counties, situated nearby to the Roaring Fork River. Basalt has notably cold winters, (low temperatures in January averaging around 10 degree Fahrenheit), making this building an excellent model for energy efficiiency in cooler cllimates.

Building History

The website of the builing's engineering consultants, PAE, said of it: "Built to perform in the coldest climate zone in the lower 48 states, the Rocky Mountain Innovation Center generates 170 percent of its energy needs. It’s not just a building, it’s a blueprint for resilient, regenerative design in any environment." (See PAE Engineers.com, "Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center Basalt, CO," accessed 12/02/2025.) Planning for the office building began in the early 2010s. In 2014, the Rocky Mountain Institute petitioned the Town of Basalt to rezone a section of Lot 2 of the Basalt Riverfront Park Subdivision from from C-3 to P-Public.

The Rocky Mountain Institute erected its Innovation Center to serve as a case study for building professionals to demonstrate design and construction techniques to maximize energy efficiency, particularly in a cold, winter-time climate. The American Solar Energy Society's Solar Today magazine stated of its goals: "RMI is the owner of this building and thus wanted to achieve net zero energy performance for the project as it aligns with the mission of the organization. By applying passive design principles as a goal from the start, the building successfully met the passive house standard as a result. The Innovation Center is intended to serve as a “living lab”; RMI will share how the building was contracted, designed, constructed, commissioned, and operated, and lessons learned along the way so that this model can be replicated. Therefore, RMI’s experience will serve as a practical model to inform thousands of buildings that would otherwise contribute significantly to the climate crisis." (See American Solar Energy Society.org, "Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Innovation Center A Passive House Case Study," accessed 11/03/2025.)

The design and construction team was extensive. ZGF Architects LLP, based in Portland, OR, was the architect. They collaborated with The mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers were PAE of Portland, OR. Architectural Applications of Portland, OR, maker of the AirFlow panel ventilation system, served as a "high performance consultant." The energy rater was Francisco Reina, of Denver, CO, the commissioning agent, Resource Engineering Group (REG). Additional team members were Green Hammer Roofing and Construction of Conifer, CO, (focusing on infiltration) and Pie Consulting and Engineering of Arvada, CO, (measurment consultant for airtightness).

Construction was completed by 12/2015.

Buillding Notes

The architect's website, ZGF.com, said of the Rocky Mountain Institute: "Designed to be a 100-year building, the ZGF team utilized a variety of tools to create a LEED Platinum, Net-Zero energy (NZE), Passive House Institute (PHIUS)-certified and Living Building Challenge Petal certified building. The project includes a super-insulated building envelope with structural insulated panels; a cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure; integrated operable external shading optimized for passive heating, cooling, and daylighting; natural ventilation; photovoltaics; and multiple connections to the outdoors. The exterior palette was selected from regional materials that blend into the native environment, while meeting the project’s durability goals. Rough-hewn Colorado sandstone walls are battered to subtly capture snow, mimicking the rocky cliffs beyond; zinc shingled forms echo the mountain silhouette. Natural Juniper was harvested from areas of invasive overgrowth and will obtain a silver patina with time. The interior of the building is a light-filled, comfortable environment designed to connect the occupants to nature using the tenets of biophilic design. The exposed CLT and glulam structure celebrates natural resources of the region, while the balanced neutral palette maximizes light reflection and minimizes eye strain. Ergonomic, flexible workstations offer river and mountain views, and operable windows admit gentle breezes and the sound of the river. The exterior terrace and interior perches provide moments of respite. Utilizing Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), the design and construction team’s collaboration expanded what is possible for energy-efficient climate responsive commercial buildings, while prioritizing a beautiful, functional architecture. As a result, the Innovation Center is proving to be the most energy-efficient building in one of the coldest U.S. climate zones." (See ZGF.com, "Rocky Mountain Institute, Innovation Center," accessed 12/03/2025.)

PCAD id: 25901