COVER STORY, JUNE 2009

THE GREEN MILES
With numerous "LEEDing" office properties and projects, the West forges ahead as the pioneer of sustainability. 
Marie Coleman

In Portland, Shorenstein Properties' First & Main project will deliver 16 stories and 346,000 square feet of Class A office space when completed in 2010. It will also deliver the CBD's first LEED Platinum- certified building.

Since 2000, the LEED green-building rating system has seen tremendous growth domestically and abroad, with more than 2,700 certified and 20,400 registered commercial projects in all 50 states and in 103 countries. The western region of the United States contributes greatly to the rising interest in sustainable building, boasting nearly 850 LEED-certified commercial buildings. The 10 states that represent the West account for almost one third — 31 percent — of all LEED certified projects around the globe. Of those projects, 397 of them constitute commercial office space of various sizes, sectors and levels of certification.

The western region faces many unique challenges, from a diverse terrain to varying climates and, more recently, a hard-hit economy. Yet the challenges have made the region an exceptional place for innovation in environmental progress and technology. The country looks to the West as the leader in the sustainability movement, which is why the region will continue to flourish in its pursuit of high-performance commercial office buildings.

History shows us how the West has been a pioneer in the green movement. States such as Oregon, Washington and California are synonymous with the environmental movement. Just as those states have grown their sustainable efforts, other Western states such as Arizona, Nevada and Utah are proving themselves to be the new frontier in the movement by pursuing LEED certification to meet their growing needs.

With the April 2009 rollout of LEED v.3, the next version of the LEED rating system, regional priority credits have also been launched. For a project’s specific location, six LEED credits have been prioritized because they address the specific environmental issues found in that area. The project will be awarded up to four extra points (one point per credit) for earning the priority credits. Urban California will be able to select from six prioritized LEED credits that differ from those offered in rural Idaho.

Climate and terrain are not the only way that the West is differentiated. The region has oriented itself in innovation clusters, blending technology with everyday human interactions, not the least of which includes a vigorous pursuit of green building.

Leadership Throughout the West

Many well-known companies and organizations in the nation call the West home. As the environmental consciousness of the nation continues to rise, so does the corporate responsibility of these leadership organizations. Still, the region as a whole already has a strong track record of commitment to sustainability:

• In 2005 and 2006, Adobe Systems' headquarters in San Jose, California, received Platinum certification under the LEED for Existing Buildings rating system for each of its three commercial offices. Adobe Systems is saving $1.2 million annually with a 12.1 percent return-on-investment on its commitment to green operations and maintenance.

• Starbucks Coffee’s Seattle headquarters was certified in 2005 under the LEED for Existing Buildings rating system and at the time was the oldest building in the country to receive the distinction. Now the chain is seeking to certify retail stores throughout the nation.

• The Scowcroft Building in Ogden, Utah, stands at 105,000 square feet and is certified at the Silver level under the LEED for Existing Buildings rating system. The project was uniquely able to use indigenous and adapted plantings throughout the property, reducing the use of potable water for irrigation by 53 percent.

• In 2001, the Jean Vollum National Capital Center in Portland, Oregon, was certified Gold under LEED for New Construction. It consumes 21 percent less energy than comparable buildings and achieves upward of $13,000 in annual savings through design elements such as daylighting, water efficient faucets and occupancy light sensors.

• At 265,000 square feet, the Molasky Corporate Center in Las Vegas is LEED Gold under the New Construction rating system and utilizes an under-floor air distribution system (UFAD) which offers improved air quality, energy savings and reduced costs throughout the lifecycle of the building.

Every day, new commercial office projects are being certified in the West. These projects reflect the highest innovation and performance while minimizing environmental impact. While the growth of green building and the sustainability movement have created a noticeable trend, the western region has a legacy of steadfast commitment to these issues. As the momentum grows in favor of sustainable building, the West will continue to be a crusader in the green building movement.

Marie E. Coleman is communications coordinator for the U.S. Green Building Council.

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