GENESIS Marina, an expansive laboratory and office campus in Brisbane, Calif., is the world’s first Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE)-certified construction endeavor. The recently completed project consisted of three buildings totaling about 560,000 sf.
The certification recognizes projects that achieve outstanding levels of resource efficiency through waste reduction, reuse, and recycling practices. The project diverted 98.4% of construction waste from landfills, an achievement that includes preventing waste from being sent to waste-to-energy facilities.
TRUE certification is administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), part of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) family. Construction manager Webcor partnered with All About Waste, a zero waste and circular economy consultant, to achieve the certification.
The certification process involved a comprehensive evaluation of waste reduction practices including reduced packaging, the use of recycled products, and innovative end-of-life solutions for materials. Webcor’s approach emphasized collaboration across all levels of the project team and with subcontractors and partners to achieve the project’s waste reduction goals.
"TRUE emphasizes waste reduction before any waste is created on the jobsite,” says Webcor Sustainability Director Sarah Rege. “This significantly reduces the volume of waste and emissions from transportation, benefiting local air quality and supporting local businesses.”
GENESIS Marina was awarded TRUE Gold in February 2024.
“We are proud to see Webcor’s forward-thinking efforts at GENESIS Marina and for initiating a broader conversation about the feasibility and benefits of zero waste and sustainability in construction,” said Joe Marconi, a Partner at Bain Capital Real Estate. “We are committed to continuing these impactful practices and positively contributing to the built environment in the years to come.”
Owner and/or developer: Phase 3 Real Estate
Architect: Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (SOM)
MEP engineer: Meyers+ Engineers
Structural engineer: Paradigm Structural Engineers
General contractor/construction manager: Webcor
Related Stories
Sustainability | Apr 28, 2020
Could a virtual 'city-forest' help solve population density challenges?
The project will house 200,000 people.
Sustainability | Apr 16, 2020
This will be the largest Living Building in the world
ZGF Architects is designing the building.
Sustainability | Mar 31, 2020
Passive house standard becoming increasingly popular for multifamily housing development
Residents reap healthier indoor environment, lower utility bills.
Plumbing | Mar 13, 2020
Pioneer Industries launches new website
Pioneer Industries launches new website
Sustainability | Mar 12, 2020
Containing CO2 during construction
New tools make it easier to measure embodied carbon in materials before they get used for construction.
Sustainability | Mar 2, 2020
City of Buffalo to launch the largest environmental impact bond in the country
EIBs offer a novel approach to pay for high-impact projects based in part on the environmental, social, and/ or economic outcomes they generate.
Architects | Mar 2, 2020
Two ‘firsts’ for Sasaki and LEO A DALY
Following an industry trend, the firms hire chiefs of technology and sustainability, respectively.
Sustainability | Feb 26, 2020
Sustainability in a material world
The concepts of embodied carbon, zero waste, and deconstruction and reuse often run on parallel tracks.
Sustainability | Feb 12, 2020
KPF unveils The Pinnacle at Central Wharf, a high-performance, resilient tower
The project will reconnect Downtown Boston to the waterfront.
Sustainability | Feb 6, 2020
Passive House picks up steam
Passive solutions that reduce a building’s energy consumption could get more viable as cities toughen CO2 emissions limits.
