Westlake/Terry

Architecture Firm:
Callison
Completion Date:
August 2007
Project Format (not yet built / built):
Built
Project Size (sf / site acreage):
317,403 square feet
Project Location:
Seattle, WA
General Contractor:
GLY
Landscape Designer:
Hewitt Architects
Lighting Consultant:
Pivotal Lighting Design
Structural Engineer:
Coughlin, Porter, Lundeen, Inc.
Mechanical Engineer:
Glumac
Electrical Engineer:
Glumac
Commissioning Agent:
--
Civil Engineer:
Coughlin, Porter, Lundeen, Inc.
Other:
O'Brien & Company, LEED Consultant
Owner:
Vulcan/Group Health
Sustainable Sites:
By using an existing urban site for the Westlake/Terry Building, Westlake/Terry preserves the region’s natural environment. The development also occupies a prime urban location bordered along three sides by the Southlake Union Streetcar line, offering unparalleled proximity to public transportation. Additionally, the development’s underground parking avoids adding new impervious surfaces, which increases stormwater run-off.
Toward Zero Energy:
The project’s high performance building envelope and building systems – optimized through the use of an innovative energy model that combines the resources of both Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy – are expected to reduce energy costs at least 30 percent below the governing industry standard for commercial buildings. Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems also employ equipment that use alternative, non-ozone-depleting refrigerants.
Local and Sustainable Materials:
Construction waste management practices promoted recycling and reduced the amount of waste sent to the landfill by at least 75 percent by weight. Building waste materials such as gypsum, wood, and concrete and steel are recycled, and the use of local building materials reduced energy consumption and pollution associated with transportation.
Sustainable Water:
The use of native, drought-tolerant landscaping surrounding the development help minimize water and pesticide use, and no permanent irrigation system is installed in order to conserve preserve precious potable water resources. The project’s extra efficient bathroom and shower fixtures are also expected to reduce base building indoor potable water use by more than 40 percent.
IEQ and Comfort:
Westlake/Terry encourages a sense of openness and collaboration, while supporting the specific needs of tenants. The project includes rooftop decks that provide picturesque outdoor space and seating with views (including wireless Internet access) that enhance the overall tenant experience. Sustainable job site operations for indoor air quality control during core and shell construction protected workers and help improve air quality for the project’s occupants – such as the use of low-VOC interior products including adhesives, sealants, paints, and carpet. The core and shell design also incorporates features to help reduce the introduction and spread of indoor air pollutants. Additionally, ample daylighting and access to views help enhance occupant health, well-being, productivity, and connection to the outdoor environment.
Collective Wisdom and Feedback:
Callison worked in tandem with a team of consultants well-versed in sustainable strategies including Glumac for MEP and O'Brien and Associates to jointly perform a charrette with the client, Vulcan. Secondly, the team worked with the owner and lead tenant, Group Health, to develop sustainable Tenant Improvements (Vulcan implemented Tenant standards incorporating expectations, as well as Green Housekeeping (maintenance and janitorial) for sustaining building occupants' health standards. A benchmarking study to measure the impact and benefits of sustainable design for tenants is scheduled for Fall 2008.
Social Equity:
The Westlake/Terry project increases employment, contributes to a higher real estate tax base and adds legitimacy to the area as an appealing headquarters locale for world-class companies – providing more critical mass, amenities, prestige, retail shoppers and homebuyers in the South Lake Union neighborhood. As the headquarters for Group Health, Westlake/Terry brings a highly respected organization and nearly 700 new employees to South Lake Union that will support additional retail and housing in this ever-evolving area. The Westlake/Terry project increases employment, contributes to a higher real estate tax base and adds legitimacy to the area as an appealing headquarters locale for world-class companies – providing more critical mass, amenities, prestige, retail shoppers and homebuyers in the South Lake Union neighborhood.
Regional/Community Design:
The building features nearly 43,000 square feet of street-level retail that will provide additional amenities for building tenants and the neighborhood’s growing number of employees and residents. Project retailers include Rain Fitness, Starbucks, Portage Bay Café, Great Northwest Soup Company and Group Health Credit Union. As part of a LEED ND program, the Westlake/Terry building helps reduce overall reliance on cars, provide convenient access to jobs and services by walking or public transit, and promotes more efficient energy and water use.