-By Adam Figman

The General Services Administration has selected the design-build team for the modernization of the Byron G. Rogers Federal Office Building and U.S. Courthouse in Denver. Included in the team are St. Louis-based firm HOK as design architect, Mortensen Construction as design-builder, Bennett Wagner & Grody Architects as architect of record, RMH Group, Inc. as mechanical and electrical engineer, Rocky Mountain Institute as the high performance green building consultant, and Martin/Martin, Inc., serving as the structural engineer and blast consultant.

If all goes to plan, the upgrades will reduce energy use by more than 80 percent and receive LEED Platinum certification.

The $130 million renovation of the 620,000 sq.-ft. facility will include replacement of the electrical, lighting, mechanical, fire protection, and plumbing systems, along with window improvements and the installation of energy storage tanks. Solar thermal panels on the roof will provide the site’s hot water, while regenerative drive technology should provide a 15 percent reduction of elevator transportation energy. The office tower will also be upgraded to fulfill the building’s current codes and GSA facility requirements.

“We are eager to collaborate with Mortenson and BWG to transform this important building into a showcase of sustainability and workplace efficiency for the federal government,” says Bob Blaha, HOK lead designer, in a statement. “Our integrated design and construction team will create a high-performance workplace that sets the standard for GSA building renovations and serves as a model for attracting and retaining talent.”

“HOK and Bennett Wagner and Grody will design a superior workplace for civilian Federal employees. The new Byron G. Rogers workplace will have spaces, logically arranged, that encourage collaboration and the informal interaction and exchange of ideas so important to the contemporary work environment, and which is familiar to the government’s next generation of staff," Bob Hansen, vice president and general manager of Mortenson's Denver office, tells Contract.

Construction is set to commence in October 2010 and should be complete by December 2012.