Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center

The Rocky Mountain Institute’s 15,600-square-foot, two-story Innovation Center in Basalt, Colorado, exemplifies the organization’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Designed as a net-zero energy building, the facility is among the most energy-efficient in the United States. Its striking biophilic design and exposed mass timber structure demonstrate the aesthetic potential and environmental benefits of sustainable architecture.

KPFF provided structural engineering services to help realize the Institute’s vision of a high-performance, “100-year” building certified under the Living Building Challenge. Locally sourced timber was used for the internal cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure, which is wrapped in a continuous insulation envelope made from foam-core structural panels. This envelope fully insulates the walls, windows, and roof, supporting a design that maximizes both energy performance and occupant comfort.

As one of the 20 most energy-efficient commercial buildings in the country, the Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center stands as a leading example of what’s possible in sustainable mass timber design.