Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station

Architecture Firm:
KPG, Inc.
Completion Date:
February 12, 2008
Project Format (not yet built / built):
Built
Project Size (sf / site acreage):
76,704 sf/ 13 acres
Project Location:
Shoreline, WA
Budget ($/sq Ft, optional):
24 million
West FacadeDaylight on Receiving FloorInterior Meeting RoomAerial Looking SWReceiving and Tipping Level PlanBuilding Section ALighting Control DiagramGeneral Arrangement PlanRainwater Collection DiagramPhoto Voltaic System Schematic Diagram
Interior Designer:
KPG, Inc.
General Contractor:
Lydig Construction
Landscape Designer:
KPG, Inc.
Lighting Consultant:
TetraTech/KCM, Inc.
Structural Engineer:
CivilTech Engineering
Mechanical Engineer:
FSi Consulting Engineers
Electrical Engineer:
TetraTech/KCM, Inc.
Commissioning Agent:
Ecotone Commissioning Groups, LLC
Air Quality Consultant:
FSi Consulting Engineers
Civil Engineer:
KPG, Inc.
Owner:
King County Solid Waste Division
Sustainable Sites:
By choosing to redevelop this site with the new Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station, King County Solid Waste Division reclaimed a brownfield site and was able to enhance the ecology of Thornton Creek. The project established a substantial buffer around Thornton Creek. The buffer contains extensive landscaping including removal of invasive plants, and establishment of native plants. The site arrangement serves to shield the neighborhood and Thornton Creek from litter, noise, dust and odors from the transfer station. The facility is a strong example of good brownfield redevelopment in an existing residential neighborhood. Sustainability design methodologies were employed to assure functionality and ecological health.
Toward Zero Energy:
A fifteen (15) kilowatt Photovoltaic System augments the electrical system, and provides more than five (5) percent of the energy consumption for the building. Natural daylighting strategies were employed in the form of tubular skylights, translucent wall panels and a large translucent panel skylight spanning the entire length of the building. A dimming system senses available natural light in the space and minimizes electrical consumption by operating light fixtures only as needed.
Local and Sustainable Materials:
A comprehensive construction waste management plan was developed and implemented to divert the maximum tonnage of waste from landfill disposal. Ninety-seven (97) percent of the construction waste was either recycled or reused. Material selections such as resilient flooring, high abrasion resistant concrete and steel armor plating were used to increase durability and the life of the finished surfaces. Local aggregate quarries, steel suppliers, concrete recyclers, and masonry suppliers provided the majority of the building materials for the project.
Sustainable Water:
The Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station utilizes waterless urinals, dual flush toilets and an extensive rainwater harvesting system. Rainwater is collected from the one (1) acre roof, stored in a single 5,000 gallon collection tank and is used for equipment wash-down, daily floor wash-downs and flushing toilets. The facility minimizes contact of water with the garbage, so as to reduce the production of wastewater leachate directed to sanitary sewer treatment facilities. No garbage handling operations are exposed to rainfall. Stormwater runoff is treated and controlled through combinations of a biofiltration swale, oil/water separators, a stormwater pond and a media filter before discharge to Thornton Creek.
IEQ and Comfort:
A panoramic view of the operational floor from a conditioned space allows the operators to remain safe from equipment and separate from vehicle fumes, dust, and other contaminants. All interior materials including paints, flooring, millwork and adhesives are low VOC emitting materials. A series of metal grates, boot brushes and walk-off mats at each entrance to the occupied spaces serve to limit the tracking of dust and other contaminants into the occupied spaces.
Collective Wisdom and Feedback:
Community meetings were used throughout the design process as a design tool to gather information and incorporate input form the local community. Building location, height and orientation were all collaborative decisions made between the community, the owner and the design team. Thornton Creek Alliance was heavily involved in aiding the design team to creating a 75-foot protective buffer around Thornton Creek which runs through the site. Collaboration is an important part f transfer station design, and was accomplished through extensive and ongoing discussions with Solid Waste Division, sustainability design experts and consultants, contractors, and transfer station designers.
Social Equity:
From its initial conception the project has been managed by Solid Waste Division and architect to accomplish specific social equity goals. The project sought and received a LEED-NC 2.1 Gold project certification on the basis of sustainable design and successful implementation. The Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station design and operation encourages waste reduction, resource reuse and recycling. Industrial compactors and other compaction equipment housed by the station substantially reduce the amount of vehicle traffic on streets and highways. King County Solid Waste Division is committed to education, and the design program reflected this priority. Educational components of the project include an information kiosk, displays, public artwork, and photovoltaic solar energy collectors designed to inform and educate all visitors, young and old, about the positive ways we can reduce our impacts on the natural environment. The building design and arrangement is highly indicative of its function of reducing impacts on the natural environment through the use of daylighting, photovoltaic solar energy panels, rainwater reuse system, and educational components, and art.
Regional/Community Design:
The Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station is rapidly becoming the benchmark for sustainable facility design of this type. The transfer station has been enthusiastically received in the community. Exposure to the project locally, regionally and nationally is expected to result in other communities using the Shoreline Recycling and Transfer station as the model for new construction and improvements to existing transfer facilities. Additionally the transfer station was recognized by King County as exemplary of the sustainability goals and objectives desired for new construction. The fundamental sustainable design priorities have resulted from years of continual and extensive efforts by elected leaders, managers, designers, consultants, advocates, neighbors, and committed citizens. The transfer station will receive national recognition in the solid waste industry on the basis it is the first facility in the U.S. where all the elements of sustainable solid waste facility design have been accomplished in a single project. The impacts of the project on solid waste transfer station design will depend upon recognition, study, and access to the project through programs, events, seminars, and technical sessions. Solid Waste Division, and its designers, consultants and contractor have embarked on a program to demonstrate the sustainable successes achieved at the new Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station.