Seattle’s Bullitt Center, a project of the Bullitt Foundation, has been designed to be the most energy efficient commercial building on the planet and put Seattle on “the forefront of the green building movement,” according to the project’s website.
With the first floor already leased to the International Living Future Institute and the University of Washington Integrated Design Lab, the remaining five floors of this 50,000-sf green building are now available to lease in advance of its planned opening this spring.
The Bullitt Center expects to achieve the goals of the Living Building Challenge (v2.0), the world’s most strenuous sustainability benchmark. Certification requires a structure to be energy and water self-sufficient for 12 consecutive months and meet 20 imperatives within seven “Petals,” or performance areas.
Petal One – Site: The location supports lifestyle that is friendly to pedestrians, bicycles, and public transit.
Petal Two – Water: Rainwater is collected on the roof and stored underground to be used building-wide.
Petal Three – Energy: The solar array will produce sufficient electricity for the building’s tenants.
Petal Four – Health: Promoting health for the building’s occupants, it features stairways that are pleasing alternatives to elevators, operable windows, and facilities that encourage occupants to walk and share resources.
Petal Five – Materials: The Bullitt Center will not contain hazardous materials from the “Red List,” such as PVC, lead, cadmium, mercury, or hormone-mimicking substances.
Petal Six – Equity: Fresh air and daylight will be available to all workers and the construction team has been selected using the Community High Road Agreement as enacted by the city of Seattle.
Petal Seven – Beauty: The architecture has been designed to help beautify the surrounding area, including a green roof, large structural timbers, native plants, an innovative photovoltaic array, and a revitalized neighboring pocket park.
The Building Team for the $30 million facility includes architect Miller Hull Partnership and contractor Schuchart, as well as Point32, PAE Consulting Engineers, Luma Lighting Design, 2020 Engineering, and Berger Partnership.
(http://www.jetsongreen.com/2013/03/the-worlds-greenest-commercial-building-now-leasing-for-spring-2013-opening.html)
Related Stories
| May 23, 2013
Portland State University’s School of Architecture launches Center for Public Interest Design
Portland State University’s School of Architecture is proud to announce the launch of its new Center for Public Interest Design, a research center that aims to investigate and utilize the power of design to make social, economic and environmental change in disadvantaged communities worldwide. The Center is the first of its kind in the nation.
| May 22, 2013
Return of retail? Rent growth seen in recovering markets
Like digging a ditch with a spoon, retail demand driven by population growth has eaten away at the supply of available store space in the markets that have been slowest to recover from the downturn. Vacancy rates are reaching a point that will give at least some landlords in every market the clout to demand slightly higher rents.
| May 22, 2013
New ASTM standard enhances hollow structural sections
ASTM A1085 is a big step forward in simplifying HSS design and usage, thereby making it a more desirable option for HSS.
| May 22, 2013
Architecture billings take a step back in April, ending growth streak
For the first time in 10 months, the AIA's Architecture Billings Index slipped into negative territory, falling to 48.6 in April, down from 51.9 the previous month. This is the ABI's lowest mark since July 2012.
| May 21, 2013
Foster + Partners reveals plans for London residential towers
 British firm Foster + Partners has unveiled plans for two residential skyscrapers as part of a mixed-use development in north London.
| May 21, 2013
RSMeans cost comparisons: pools, racquetball courts, bowling alleys, hockey/soccer facilities
Construction market analysts from RSMeans offer construction costs per square foot for four building types across 25 metro markets.
| May 21, 2013
7 tile trends for 2013: Touch-sensitive glazes, metallic tones among top styles
Tile of Spain consultant and ceramic tile expert Ryan Fasan presented his "What's Trending in Tile" roundup at the Coverings 2013 show in Atlanta earlier this month. Here's an overview of Fasan's emerging tile trends for 2013.
| May 20, 2013
4 emerging trends in parking structure design
Survey of parking professionals reveals how technology is transforming the parking industry.
| May 20, 2013
Jones Lang LaSalle: All U.S. real estate sectors to post gains in 2013—even retail
With healthier job growth numbers and construction volumes at near-historic lows, real estate experts at Jones Lang LaSalle see a rosy year for U.S. commercial construction.
