Rice Fergus Miller Office & Studio

Bremerton, Washington

A major renovation of an abandoned 1948 Sears Automotive Center into a state-of-the-art office building.

The Rice Fergus Miller Office & Studio is a deep renovation of a 22,000 SF former Sears Automotive Center, transformed into a high-performance workplace that anchors downtown Bremerton’s revitalization. Designed with sustainability and affordability in mind, the project achieved LEED v3 Platinum certification with 92 points—among the highest scores globally. It offsets over 60,000 gallons of potable water annually through rainwater harvesting and low-flow plumbing, representing a 70% reduction compared to a typical code-compliant office. With a total construction cost of just $105/SF, this project sets a powerful example of how deep energy and water savings can be achieved within tight budgets.

Ecotope provided mechanical and plumbing design for a hybrid passive-active HVAC strategy centered on occupant control and minimal system runtime. The building uses operable windows and a “passive mode” approach during temperate conditions (roughly 40% of the year), significantly reducing mechanical energy use. VRF heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation provide heating and cooling as needed outside that range. The building incorporates Design for Off™ principles, enabling systems to shut down when not required. After two years of operation, the verified EUI is just 18.2 kBtu/SF/yr—meeting the AIA 2030 Challenge and positioning the project for future Net Zero Energy with a rooftop PV system.

Learn more about this project here:

• Designing for Off, ASHRAE High Performing Buildings Magazine, Summer 2013