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.
![Photo provided by Webcor (pictured: Webcor Construction Manager John Tuttle)](/sites/default/files/inline-images/webcor%202.jpeg)
"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
![Photo provided by Webcor](/sites/default/files/inline-images/webcor%203.jpeg)
Related Stories
High-rise Construction | Feb 25, 2016
Kohn Pedersen Fox wants to build a mile-high tower in Tokyo
The tower would be the centerpiece of Next Tokyo, a mini city in Tokyo Bay adapted to climate change and rising tides.
Museums | Jan 22, 2016
Canadian Canoe Museum selects Heneghan Peng Architects’ design for new location
The single-story structure is designed for sustainability as well as function.
Urban Planning | Jan 21, 2016
Anders Berensson Architects re-imagines Stockholm as a city of skywalks
The Swedish firm’s "Klarastaden" plan connects the city via clear skyways that weave in and around the city’s buildings.
Sustainability | Dec 23, 2015
Hospitality sustainability measurement tool will be an industry game-changer
The Hotel Sustainability Measurement Tool will allow hoteliers to compare energy and water use as well as their carbon footprint in a clear and concise platform.
Green | Jul 23, 2015
NASA: U.S. headed for worst droughts in a millennium
Data from NASA shows carbon emissions could be the driving force behind devastating water shortages and record droughts in the western U.S.
Green | Jul 7, 2015
Philips sheds new light on growing fresh food indoors
A research center in The Netherlands is testing the latest techniques in urban farming.
Green | Jun 24, 2015
6 steps toward better water management [AIA course]
When it comes to water conservation, Building Teams tend to concentrate on water-efficient plumbing fixtures, irrigation controls, graywater capture, and ways to recycle condensate from air-conditioning systems. Yet many of the best opportunities for saving water begin with big-picture thinking in a project’s earliest phases.
Green | Jun 19, 2015
3 steps toward sustainable landscape architecture
A water-conscious, sustainable landscape is easily achievable, and the options for native and drought tolerant plants far exceed cacti and succulents, writes LPA's Richard Bienvenu.
Green | May 5, 2015
Top three 2030 Challenge trends
The growth of IPD is among the key takeaways from the USGBC Region 7 Conference.
Wood | Apr 26, 2015
Building wood towers: How high is up for timber structures?
The recent push for larger and taller wood structures may seem like an architectural fad. But Building Teams around the world are starting to use more large-scale structural wood systems.