In a bold move to secure its place as the bastion of sustainability, Seattle sets out to build a series of the "greenest commercial building on earth."
The six-story Bullitt Center is the first of 12 buildings touted as the model for self-sufficiency. The "net-zero energy and net-zero water" structure will capture Seattle's copious rainwater, generate the electricity, and compost the sewage all on its own.
Writing for The Los Angeles Times, Kim Murphy reports:
"Nearly all the light will be daylight, via a height variance that allows for higher ceilings and taller windows. [...] The building is expected to use less than half as much energy per square foot as those designed under LEED platinum 'green' standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council."
"Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said the building would generate 94 direct construction jobs and 141 direct permanent jobs. The city recently revised its building code to clear the way for such projects."
The Bullitt Center is designed by Brian Court and Craig Curtis of Miller Hull Partnership.
Read the full story: In Seattle, work starts on 'greenest' office building
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