Dubbed the “First Space Station on Earth” —the NASA Sustainability Base, has served as an experimental model for smart and net zero buildings for over a decade. In this research note, we explore how the building was designed, constructed, and operated to achieve a positive impact on the environment. NASA teamed up with William McDonough + Partners and AECOM to completely renovate the site in Moffett Field, California, to create a functional and futuristic facility that also recognises the importance of protecting Earth’s environment. The NASA Sustainability Base became one of the first federal buildings to earn LEED Platinum certification when it was completed in 2012. A key objective for NASA is to use the Sustainability Base as a living laboratory to develop methods and tools for understanding and controlling dynamic energy and water systems here on Earth. The organization then hopes to apply that knowledge to extraterrestrial facilities, such as the International Space Station […]