flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

This will be the largest Living Building in the world

Sustainability

This will be the largest Living Building in the world

ZGF Architects is designing the building.


By David Malone, Associate Editor | April 16, 2020
PAE Living Building exterior

All images courtesy PAE and ZGF

A new 58,000-sf mixed-use project will be Portland's first certified Living Building, Oregon's largest Living Building, and the largest certified Living Building in the world.

Designed to last 500 years, the building has a projected Energy Use Index (EUI) of 18.6 kBtu/SF/YR; a typical Portland office building built to code has a EUI of 40.8 kBtu/SF/YR. A 133 kW PV solar array will occupy 8,300 sf on the building's roof and another 195.4 kW PV array will occupy 10,300 sf on the roof of a partner organization.

The building will also include a 71,000 gallon cistern in the basement comprising 62,500 gallons of rainwater storage and 8,500 gallons of stormwater detention. All of the building’s water and energy needs will be produced via rainwater capture, and the onsite and offsite solar arrays. 

 

 

A five-story vacuum flush composting waste system will be included as well as a urinal-to-fertilizer system that transforms waste to resource. Additionally, 70% of the building perimeter spaces can be ventilated or cooled with operable windows and 65% of regularly occupied spaces will be daylit throughout the year.

 

PAE Living Building interior

 

The building's first floor will include retail, a 40-stall bike storage, showers, restrooms, lockers, and a fitness center for building occupant use. The second floor will feature Class A Commercial Office space available for lease, while floors three through five will have office space to be occupied by PAE, the project's MEP engineer.

The project is scheduled for a 2020 groundbreaking with an anticipated completion date in 2021. KPFF is the structural and civil engineer and Gerding Edlen is the developer.

 

PAE Living Building exterior at night

 

Related Stories

Resiliency | Sep 30, 2022

Designing buildings for wildfire defensibility

Wold Architects and Engineers' Senior Planner Ryan Downs, AIA, talks about how to make structures and communities more fire-resistant.

| Sep 23, 2022

High projected demand for new housing prompts debate on best climate-friendly materials

The number of people living in cities could increase to 80% of the total population by 2100. That could require more new construction between now and 2050 than all the construction done since the start of the industrial revolution.

| Sep 7, 2022

Use of GBCI building performance tools rapidly expanding

More than seven billion square feet of project space is now being tracked using Green Business Certification Inc.’s (GBCI’s) Arc performance platform.

| Aug 22, 2022

Less bad is no longer good enough

As we enter the next phase of our fight against climate change, I am cautiously optimistic about our sustainable future and the design industry’s ability to affect what the American Institute of Architects (AIA) calls the biggest challenge of our generation.

| Aug 19, 2022

Manassas Museum renovated to reimagine a civic design & engage the community

Manassas, VA has recently added to its historic Manassas Museum.

Daylighting | Aug 18, 2022

Lisa Heschong on 'Thermal and Visual Delight in Architecture'

Lisa Heschong, FIES, discusses her books, "Thermal Delight in Architecture" and "Visual Delight in Architecture," with BD+C's Rob Cassidy. 

| Aug 16, 2022

DOE funds 18 projects developing tech to enable buildings to store carbon

The Department of Energy announced $39 million in awards for 18 projects that are developing technologies to transform buildings into net carbon storage structures.

| Aug 15, 2022

Boston high-rise will be largest Passive House office building in the world

Winthrop Center, a new 691-foot tall, mixed-use tower in Boston was recently honored with the Passive House Trailblazer award.

Hotel Facilities | Aug 12, 2022

Denver builds the nation’s first carbon-positive hotel

Touted as the nation’s first carbon-positive hotel, Populus recently broke ground in downtown Denver.

Energy Efficiency | Aug 11, 2022

Commercial Energy Efficiency: Finally “In-the-Money!”

By now, many business leaders are out in front of policymakers on prioritizing the energy transition.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021