Mayor Mike McGinn is pleased to announce Seattle Public Utilities Operations Control Center (SPU OCC) achieved the city of Seattle’s first LEED for Commercial Interiors Gold certified project. LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
“Sustainable design is critical to preserving Seattle as a thriving, healthy and livable city,” said Mayor McGinn. “Seattle continues to lead by example with green buildings that minimize CO2 emissions, reduce water consumption and provide healthy work environments.”
The SPU OCC LEED Certification of Gold has been established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). Thirty-three points were earned based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact SPU’s operations and the broader community. These features included:
- 71% of construction waste diverted from landfills (253 tons)
- 30% more ventilation
- 40% of furnishings reused
- 32% less indoor water use (Annual projected potable water savings equate to 102,180 gallons per year.)
- 100% power from green power
Sandra Mallory, City Green Building Program Manager, praised SPU for exceeding the City of Seattle’s Sustainable Building Policy LEED Silver certification threshold. “SPU is leading by example and showcasing, for both public and private projects, that greater levels of energy, water and waste savings are readily achievable.”
According to Energy Information Administrative Statistics, buildings account for 48 percent of the energy consumed in the U.S. By 2035, 75 percent of buildings in the U.S. will be rebuilt or renovated, providing builders with an opportunity to make big changes in energy consumption. Seattle Public Utilities not only saved an existing building, capitalizing on its embodied energy, it also improved energy efficiency, water efficiency and indoor air quality. The result echoes Seattle’s environmental commitment, illustrating how adaptive reuse projects can be stellar examples of sustainability.
HEWITT architects led the design team that renovated the 1971 building, ensuring partial occupancy of the facility during construction for critical functions. The renovated center houses a control room, field operations center, and backup emergency services for the City.
“I really appreciate the open-floor concept at the Operations Control Center. Before the remodel, individual offices occupied much of the floor space. Now we have a work environment that allows better air circulation, more natural light and improved communications between co-workers.” John Labadie, Strategic Advisor, Seattle Public Utilities
Event details:
SPU Operations Control Center LEED CI Gold Award Ceremony
2700 Airport Way South
Seattle, WA 98134
Thursday, July 15, 2010
8:00 am – 9:00 am
*Tour of facility begins at 8:30 am
U.S. Green Building Council
The Washington, D.C. based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.
City Green Building
View the SPU Operations Control Center Case Study or for information on sustainable building visit: www.seattle.gov/dpd/greenbuilding
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor.
Design Team
HEWITT, Architecture
Notkin Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
KPFF Consulting Engineers, Structural Engineering
Sparling, Electrical Engineering
Candela, Lighting Design
Mercedes Fernandez Interior Design, Interior Design
Keithly Barber Associates, Building Commissioning Agent
Advanced Technology Construction, General Contractor