Aegis Living Lake Union in Seattle is the world’s first assisted living community designed to meet the rigorous Living Building Challenge certification. Completed in 2022, the Ankrom Moisan-designed, 70,000 sf-building is fully electrified. All commercial dryers, domestic hot water, and kitchen equipment are powered by electricity in lieu of gas, which reduces the facility’s carbon footprint.
The community will source power through an onsite solar array and an offsite solar energy farm. Key energy reduction measures include improved exterior insulation, triple pane windows, heat recovery ventilation, heat pump heating and cooling, LED lighting and lighting control sensors, and installation of all high-efficiency appliances.
The building provides 79 living units, including a mix of studio and one-bedroom options with some apartments dedicated to memory care. Amenities include a spa/wellness center with a salon, massage suite, and fitness center. A variety of gathering spaces are available for residents to spend time with family, friends, and neighbors, including an onsite cinema and sky lounge terrace with views of Lake Union.
The aesthetics and environmentalism of Aegis Living Lake Union were inspired by the historic rowing clubs and culture of the area. The exterior consists of natural materials including lapped cedar siding and rough brick, and the surrounding landscaping has been thoughtfully curated to consider biodiversity and rainfall. The pattern of cedar cladding on the north side of the building was designed to evoke the image of oars through water, while the unique steel pattern entry canopy echoes the rowing shell and the shape of the oars.
The top-level roof overhang was extended to create additional roof area to accommodate more rooftop solar panels. These strong shapes and patterns can be seen in the exterior brickwork and entry canopy and continue into the interior of the building.
The lobby presents a tribute to the 1936 University of Washington men’s rowing team that took gold at the Berlin Olympics. An original Pocock racing shell is suspended from the sustainably sourced wood ceiling—defined by a geometric composition suggesting rowing cadence and waves. Nature is also frequently alluded to in many details. Biophilic principles are evidenced through natural light spilling through wide windows, and a greenspace and watercourse offering peace and mindfulness via patterns in the carpet, the shape of the lighting fixtures, and the art adorning the walls.
On the building team:
Owner and/or developer: Aegis Senior Living Communities, LLC
Design architect: Ankrom Moisan
Architect of record: Ankrom Moisan
MEP engineer: PAE Engineers
Structural engineer: Bykonen Carter Quinn
General contractor/construction manager: Absher Construction
Related Stories
| Jan 11, 2014
Getting to net-zero energy with brick masonry construction [AIA course]
When targeting net-zero energy performance, AEC professionals are advised to tackle energy demand first. This AIA course covers brick masonry's role in reducing energy consumption in buildings.
Smart Buildings | Jan 7, 2014
9 mega redevelopments poised to transform the urban landscape
Slowed by the recession—and often by protracted negotiations—some big redevelopment plans are now moving ahead. Here’s a sampling of nine major mixed-use projects throughout the country.
| Dec 13, 2013
Safe and sound: 10 solutions for fire and life safety
From a dual fire-CO detector to an aspiration-sensing fire alarm, BD+C editors present a roundup of new fire and life safety products and technologies.
| Dec 10, 2013
16 great solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
From a crowd-funded smart shovel to a why-didn’t-someone-do-this-sooner scheme for managing traffic in public restrooms, these ideas are noteworthy for creative problem-solving. Here are some of the most intriguing innovations the BD+C community has brought to our attention this year.
| Nov 27, 2013
Wonder walls: 13 choices for the building envelope
BD+C editors present a roundup of the latest technologies and applications in exterior wall systems, from a tapered metal wall installation in Oklahoma to a textured precast concrete solution in North Carolina.
| Nov 26, 2013
Construction costs rise for 22nd straight month in November
Construction costs in North America rose for the 22nd consecutive month in November as labor costs continued to increase, amid growing industry concern over the tight availability of skilled workers.
| Nov 25, 2013
Building Teams need to help owners avoid 'operational stray'
"Operational stray" occurs when a building’s MEP systems don’t work the way they should. Even the most well-designed and constructed building can stray from perfection—and that can cost the owner a ton in unnecessary utility costs. But help is on the way.
| Nov 19, 2013
Top 10 green building products for 2014
Assa Abloy's power-over-ethernet access-control locks and Schüco's retrofit façade system are among the products to make BuildingGreen Inc.'s annual Top-10 Green Building Products list.
| Nov 19, 2013
Net-zero senior housing project aimed at low-income residents in Virginia
A big driver to achieve net-zero was to offer affordable housing with reduced energy costs for low-income seniors.
| Nov 13, 2013
Installed capacity of geothermal heat pumps to grow by 150% by 2020, says study
The worldwide installed capacity of GHP systems will reach 127.4 gigawatts-thermal over the next seven years, growth of nearly 150%, according to a recent report from Navigant Research.
