November 24, 2008

Shoreline recycling station is a model of green — and platinum

Photo courtesy KPG [enlarge]

The U.S. Green Building Council awarded LEED platinum certification to the $24 million Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station. This is the only solid waste processing facility and the only industrial building in the country to be awarded this level of certification.

The 76,000-square-foot transfer station was awarded all LEED 54 credits that it attempted.

It has a number of green features: 95 percent of demolition materials from the existing building were recycled, eco pans were used during concrete pours to protect nearby Thornton Creek, and much of the wood formwork was reused from other sites. Recycled concrete rubble was used as fill.

The roof is inclined, creating a clerestory that allows air to move more efficiently than by using fans. This reduces the energy needed for ventilation by 80 percent.

All the concrete used in the building contains fly ash, and most of the steel and rebar was made from recycled materials. Materials in the living spaces are low VOC and the need for lighting was reduced by installing large skylights and translucent wall panels. Solar panels were installed on the roof of the office portion.

A water harvesting system will collect rain from the one-acre roof to wash floors and equipment, and to flush toilets. That should reduce water needs by 57 percent, according to the station's owner, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks.

A kiosk at the entrance helps educate the public about the sustainable features.

The station opened in February.

Lydig Construction was the contractor. The design team included: KPG, architect, civil engineer, landscape architect and master planner; FSi Consulting Engineers, mechanical and plumbing design; ECS Engineering, electrical and photovoltaic design; CivilTech, geotechnical and structural engineer; Paladino and Co., sustainable design; KPFF Special Projects Division, construction management; Neudorfer Engineers, building commissioning; and Seattle City Light, green power and photovoltaic program for public facilities.

It replaced a transfer station built in 1967 and is on the site of the former Corliss Landfill.

The station will be a model for the county as it updates other recycling and transfer stations. The next station on the county's list is the Bow Lake Transfer Station at 188th South, also being designed by KPG. Construction should begin in 2009. The Factoria Transfer Station in Bellevue will follow.