Fort Collins Zero Net Energy Eco-District

Introba (formerly Integral Group) worked with the City of Fort Collins to develop a groundbreaking master plan for a Net Zero Energy and Net Zero Water Eco-District encompassing two city blocks. The new City Civic Center, which includes the two blocks of government buildings, embodies and enhances the City’s sustainability values of holistic, sustainable design, supporting a true triple-bottom-line approach, focusing on environmental, economic, and social benefits. In keeping with this goal and the project’s guiding principles, the master plan embraces a regenerative and resilient design approach. 

The team designed Fort Collins Civic Center Eco-District for Net Zero Energy operation and with the capacity to be Net Positive, producing enough energy to contribute to the larger “FortZED” district. 

One objective was to develop a water balance as close to Net Zero Water as feasible within Colorado water laws’ constraints. This strategy includes domestic water consumption, irrigation, process water, and rainwater. The team identified using a living machine to treat wastewater and stormwater on-site for use in irrigation and toilet flushing as a viable option. In addition, stormwater is managed on-site with appropriate landscaping that mimics a natural hydrology condition.  

Sustainability

• Zero Net Energy Target 

• Zero Net Water Target  

Project Highlights

• Net Zero Energy and Net Zero Water Eco-District encompassing two city blocks  

• Sustainability values of holistic design, supporting triple-bottom-line, focusing on environmental, economic, and social benefits 

• Contribute to the larger “FortZED” district 

• Living machine to treat wastewater and stormwater on-site for use in irrigation and toilet flushing 

• Landscaping that mimics a natural hydrology condition