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Patagonia Outlet

Salt Lake City, Utah

The Patagonia Outlet was designed and built with the health of its customers, employees and the environment in mind. This achievement is the result of a partnership between Patagonia, an environmentally conscious, international company, and AMD Architecture, a Salt Lake City based sustainable architectural firm. This brochure uncovers the results of this dynamic collaboration.

Energy Conservation

Heating, cooling and lighting buildings represents nearly 1/3 of U.S. energy consumption. Through a combination of innovative technologies and old fashioned common sense, significant energy savings were achieved with environmental and economic benefits.

Energy Efficient Equipment: Outdated and inefficient equipment for heating, cooling and lighting were replaced with high efficiency models. This measure has a higher initial investment, but will pay back with long term energy savings that reduce pollution and save money and resources.

Insulated ductwork allows for optimal thermal control for zoned spaces within the building, avoiding energy "leaks" and preventing condensation. Insulation of the existing building shell further reduces the demand on energy to heat and cool the building. This was accomplished with cellulose insulation, manufactured from recycled newspaper, which provides a tight and highly effective means of insulating.

Cool Roof: A white colored roof membrane installed over the entire building keeps the roof cool during the warm seasons reducing heat island effects in the community, and reducing energy demands within the building.

Natural Light: Existing skylights were exposed to allow natural daylight into warehouse and work areas where windows are limited. Glass block was installed in the exterior wall of the employee breakroom to also increase natural light while maintaining privacy and security. Accommodations for bikers and shower facilities for employees support alternative commuting strategies.

Material & Resource Efficiency

Building Re-use/rehab: Re-using an existing structure has dual benefits. It reduces the amount of energy used in producing new materials while also reducing the amount of material that would contribute to landfills if demolished.

Recycled: Products containing recycled materials support the market for recycled resource efficient products, while alleviating the strain on virgin material mining and manufacturing. An example is seen with the recycled plastic wheel stops in the parking area.

Salvaged: Several salvaged items were included in The Patagonia Outlet. Structural timbers and wood trim throughout were locally salvaged Trestlewood. Shelving, display furnishings, and a variety of materials were rescued from the original store a few blocks away.

Renewable: Sustainably regenerative agricultural by-products comprise many of the finish materials utilized in the store. Staff areas contain cabinets made from Wheatboard with Phenix Biocomposit countertops and desktops, while dressing room benches reveal the natural truth and beauty of pressed sunflower hulls. Natural linoleum flooring completes the restrooms, offices and staff breakroom, demonstrating how natural, non-toxic materials can provide durable and beautiful solutions.

Water Conservation

Xeriscaping: Utilizing native, drought tolerant plants is an aesthetically pleasing and functional landscape for this arid climate. Xeriscaping conserves water resources, provides habitat and reduces maintenance requirements and chemical use as compared to landscaping with lawns.

Water Conserving Fixtures: Replacing inefficient fixtures, and installing new fixtures with water conserving features saves considerable amounts of water while reducing municipal costs of use and disposal. Indoor Environmental Quality Striving for healthy environments goes beyond the end user of buildings to reach those manufacturing the components that make up our built world. Products were selected with optimal lifecycle impacts through all facets of construction.

Healthy Materials: Natural and low-VOC paints and sealers from Bioshield, ICI Dulux and AFM Safecoat were utilized for the walls, woodwork, concrete stain, and floor and cabinet finishes to ensure healthy, clean indoor air both during and after construction.

Formaldehyde Free: Avoidance of products containing formaldehyde (which poses numerous health threats) was of great importance in the project. Besides selecting formaldehyde-free sheet goods, Murco formaldehyde-free wall joint compound was used in place of traditional drywall mud.

Low Maintenance: Hard, cleanable surfaces offer easy maintenance, eliminating the need for harsh cleansers to maintain as well as reducing the chance for pollutants becoming trapped, such as with carpeting. These surfaces are also durable, eliminating the need for replacement with wear.

Design

Staff Environment: Patagonia's commitment of care for their employees is demonstrated by the many steps taken to offer a healthy and pleasant work environment.

Universal Design: The entire facility was upgraded with regard to accessibility, including building access, movement throughout, and use of the space.

Asset to Community: By making space available to local community and environmental organizations, Patagonia is providing a venue for grassroots efforts to take hold.

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