Houston Zoo • LEED Gold West Admin Building and Birds of the World • Houston, Texas
Owner: Houston Zoo
Location: Houston, Texas
Industry: Institutional | Non-Profit | Office
GAIA’s Role:
LEED Consultant
Energy Modeler
Commissioning Provider
Project Info:
West Admin Building
Size: 10,796 ft²
Certification: LEED v4 ID+C: CI Gold
Architect: Rogers and Labarthe=
Birds of the World Exhibit
Size: 4,721 ft²
Certification: LEED v4 BD+C: NC Gold
Architect: House and Robertson
Challenge:
Houston Zoo’s departmental master plan aimed to:
Operate sustainably and minimize campus-wide environmental impact.
Set new standards for building efficiency in an already busy, conservation-focused campus.
Incorporate LEED strategies into both administrative and exhibit facilities, supporting the zoo’s mission to “connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife” .
Constraints included:
Keeping buildings operational during construction.
Maintaining animal safety and habitats while upgrading surrounding infrastructure.
GAIA’s Approach:
LEED Strategy & Coordination: GAIA led the LEED v4 certification process for both buildings, coordinating credit achievement across all major categories—including Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), Regional Priority, and Location & Transportation. Our team ensured a balanced credit strategy aligned with the zoo’s operational goals and LEED point thresholds.
Energy Modeling: We developed detailed energy models that demonstrated significant energy-use reductions. The Birds of the World exhibit achieved a total energy savings of 34%, while the West Admin building offset 92% of its energy use through the City of Houston’s renewable utility contract. Our modeling also supported solar readiness and future renewable integration.
Water Conservation: GAIA modeled and validated water efficiency strategies that resulted in a 41% indoor water use reduction at the West Admin building and a 75% total water savings at the Birds of the World exhibit—which also achieved 100% potable water offset through Water Restoration Certificates (WRCs), supporting watershed restoration efforts.
Material Selection & Indoor Air Quality: Our guidance on low-impact materials helped the project incorporate more than 20 products with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and full ingredient transparency. All finishes met low-VOC standards, improving indoor air quality and supporting occupant health—especially critical in an animal care and public-facing environment.
Commissioning: As the commissioning provider, GAIA ensured all energy systems, mechanical equipment, and controls were installed and operating as intended. Our hands-on oversight helped optimize long-term performance, increase system reliability, and support the buildings’ LEED performance metrics.
GAIA LEED Case Studies
AIA Gulf Coast Green 2024 @ Houston Zoo
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GAIA @ Houston Zoo
GAIA attended the AIA Gulf Coast Green 2024 conference, hosted onsite at the Houston Zoo.
Laia Gimeno and Ryan McEvoy connected with project partners and attendees, highlighting GAIA’s role in the zoo’s LEED-certified buildings.
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Lush landscaping
Houston Zoo recently renovated the main entrance in celebration of their 100 year anniversary. Attendees toured the property learning about the many sustainability initiatives.
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Every decision is an us decision.
Presenters included Lake Flato Architects sharing Houston Zoo’s Sustainability Action Plan.
Birds of the World Exhibit
The Houston Zoo’s Birds of the World exhibit is final addition to its Keeping Our World Wild Centennial Capital campaign—a multi-year transformation of the 55-acre campus.
Spanning three immersive aviaries, the exhibit transports guests through the African Savanna, North American Woodlands, and South American Wetlands. Each space highlights the Zoo’s conservation partnerships, from protecting endangered grey crowned cranes to educating visitors on the global bird trade and showcasing vibrant species like Chilean flamingos.
At the heart of the project is the Avian Conservation Environment (ACE) building—a modern hub for bird care, breeding, and behind-the-scenes conservation work. The ACE facility earned LEED Gold certification, one of the few of its kind in the country, underscoring Houston Zoo’s commitment to sustainability alongside education.
Built along a major migratory flyway, the exhibit also reflects local stewardship. Initiatives like bird-safe glass and light-pollution reduction during migration seasons connect this global story back to Houston’s own skies.
The result is more than an exhibit—it’s a call to action. Birds of the World invites visitors to experience biodiversity, understand what’s at stake, and take part in protecting our natural world.