The Bullitt Center in Seattle, which some say is the world's "most efficient" office building is not only influencing how other structures are built, it is contributing to revisions of codes and public policy.
The building’s design was made possible by Seattle’s Deep Green Pilot Program that allows builders to deviate from standard codes to build more sustainably. For example, the building was allowed to add two to three feet to the height of each floor to allow more daylighting. Neighbors objected to the additional 10 feet in overall building height, but the program permitted the non-conforming design.
Some of the building’s code deviations have been incorporated into the city code. For instance, the city council and the mayor had to approve changes to the building code to allow permits for “sustainability features.” This move allows the building’s solar canopy to extend all the way to the property line.
Bullitt Foundation, the environmental group that owns the building, recently signed a first-in-the-nation agreement with the local utility that will allow the foundation to sell Seattle City Light the energy it is saving or “negawatts.” The arrangement, known as MEETS (metered energy efficiency transaction structure) could be a pioneer in drawing investment funds to energy-efficiency projects.
Bullitt is also seeking final approvals from the county and state to turn the building into its own water district. That designation would allow tenants to drink rainwater collected on site and treated in the building’s basement.
(http://grist.org/business-technology/how-one-building-is-changing-the-world/)
Related Stories
| Jan 4, 2013
San Diego office tower to be America's biggest net-zero building
The 13-floor, 415,000 sf La Jolla Commons II office tower in San Diego will be the largest building in the U.S. built to the net-zero standard upon completion in 2014, according to real estate firm Hines.
| Jan 4, 2013
Manchester, England building achieves highest BREEAM rating in U.K.
One Angel Square in Manchester, England, is the highest scoring outstanding building for the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) in the U.K.
| Dec 27, 2012
Pentagon eases leasing standards established in 9/11 aftermath
The Pentagon has eliminated the stringent real estate leasing standards it put into place following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, reverting back to a version widely used by federal civilian agencies.
| Dec 27, 2012
Google provides USGBC with $3 million grant to transform building materials industry and indoor health
Google has contributed a $3 million grant to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to help transform the building materials industry and accelerate the creation of healthier indoor environments.
| Dec 27, 2012
Former industrial French city reshapes itself according to ambitious green standards
Nantes has a strong commitment to address challenges such as urban sprawl and carbon dioxide emissions.
| Dec 27, 2012
New York City law tracking building energy use yields surprises
A legally mandated report that tracks the energy use of New York City's largest buildings provides details about which buildings are achieving higher-than-expected energy efficiency, such as the Chrysler and Empire State buildings, as well as those that are performing poorly.
| Dec 27, 2012
New Jersey considers green roof mandate for state buildings
The New Jersey legislature is considering a bill that would require installation of green or blue roofs on state buildings that are at least 15,000 sf.
| Dec 20, 2012
AIA’s Healthier Communities Through Design showcases local policy initiatives
The American Institute of Architects released Local Leaders: Healthier Communities Through Design, a report that demonstrates the power of architecture to improve public health with policies that promote active living, accessibility, transit options, and better indoor air quality.
| Dec 20, 2012
China to build sustainable city for 180,000 from scratch
A 120-million sf urban development in China will be designed according to high green standards for about 180,000 residents.
