Port of Portland

I was able to tour this beautiful building last week.  It was finished in 2010 and received a LEED Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council (http://www.usgbc.org/).  

After 18 months of occupied use, the building has achieved an energy savings target of over 50%.  The climate controls are achieving a stable temperature of +/- 0.5 degrees F.  Yes, a half degree variation, even within a three story atrium.  The building uses radiant panels overhead supplemented with forced air.  The building is also saving greater than 50% water consumption and completely averting the use of the public sewer with the first large scale real-world installation of the Living Machine (http://livingmachines.com/).  It's a multi-stage, water treatment process through vegetated planters (both indoor and outdoor)--they're in the main entryway.  Black water and grey water treatment at the front door!

The interior makes a high caliber, beautiful space for 450 people.  It's big at 225,000 SF, not including the parking structure.  Yes, that is about 500 SF per person...quite generous...with room to grow.  And at approximately $85 million, it comes to $377/SF for the occupied space...not cheap.

They made a concerted effort to make it a very pleasant space, to include some very nice permanent art installations, such as these hand carved conference room doors above.  I have to say it is a beautiful building and appears to be built to last...two values I wholeheartedly support.