Located in Albuquerque’s premier office park, Journal Center, the United States Forest Service (USFS) office building at 4000 Masthead was completed in 2001 and is a “sister” tower to the existing USFS building (3900 Masthead) build in 2006. These two facilities, home to over 900 USFS employees, make up the western US regional office for finance, acquisitions and human resources functions. With a large landscaped roundabout creating a pedestrian friendly campus, the new facility comprises 101,600 gross SF in three stories and a single deck parking structure.

4000 Masthead is LEED Gold with sustainability features focused on energy efficiency, solar, indoor air quality and water use reduction. The building also received the “Designed for Energy Star” label from the Department of Energy. Some of the sustainable features include a 150KW solar photo-voltaic system, day lighting, lighting controls, water source heat pumps with energy recovery ventilators and pedestrian friendly aspects. Site landscaping utilizes low water usage trees and native plants and all restrooms are outfitted with low flow water controls. These measures will conserve approximately 300,000 gallons per year.

Titan’s lease was signed by the USFS in June 2010 and through the use of design-build construction the building was delivered to the USFS in July 2011. Reid & Associates Design Builders was the general contractor. This aggressive schedule was met utilizing the cooperative interaction between the designers and the construction trades limiting potential delays and budget issues. This effort was accomplished in phases with separate permit packages for shell, tenant improvements, and the parking deck via the City’s “Green Path” submittal process. Working together with the city, Titan orchestrated “kick-off” and construction meetings with applicable city departments to create a true team environment. These meetings, together with the separate permit packages, allowed flexibility in the schedule.