June 10, 2009
The U.S. Green Building Council has certified two Clark County branches of Columbia Credit Union as LEED gold.
Two Seattle firms, EHS Design Architects and Paladino & Co., a green building design and LEED certification company, worked on the Grand Central in Vancouver and Washougal branches. Team Construction of Vancouver was the general contractor.
Columbia Chief Operating Officer Steve Kenny said the Washougal branch uses about half the gas and electricity and 40 percent less water on average than comparable branches.
Features include an omni-directional skylight, a cistern for rainwater, porous concrete, corn-fiber work station panels and chairs made from recycled seat belts.
Kenny said green features added about 8 percent to construction costs.
