Sustainable Design at SEA Concourse

“We did an immersive sustainability study with the design team and the client during the concept design phase,” said Mark Herman, design manager, Turner. “The result provided the entire team with variable options by thoroughly investigating design, constructability, first cost and life cycle cost early on.”

Through preconstruction, Turner’s team has been working with the design team and the Port of Seattle to price different sustainability options for the Port of Seattle Sustainable Design Committee evaluation and selection. Efforts include providing recommendations, metrics, and graphic representations of different options.

Ultimately, the client was able to highlight the elements they wanted to implement in alignment with their budget and design. Significant sustainable plans for the building and construction include:

• Installation of a “first of its kind” rooftop photovoltaic panel, which is a solar canopy that covers the entire roof. The panel is expected to generate 2300 MMBTUs of energy per year.
• Construction of a high-performance façade with dynamic designed to capture the most light, while protecting those inside from glare and any harmful rays of light.
• The goal is to have the facility run without natural gas. During construction, we are supplementing the additional heating and cooling that is required for the expansion; it will be provided from heat pumps instead of boilers and other electrical sources.
• Project metering will be implemented on-site.
• All the power will come from the electrical systems from the airport.
• Composting and recycling are required via the City of Seattle law, so bins for waste, recycling and compost will be available on-site.