The Terry Thomas Building
Architect: Weber Thompson
Engineer: DCI Engineers
Owner: First Western Development Services
ABC members: Evergreen Concrete Cutting, Kodo Construction, Merit Mechanical, Propel Insurance, Rainbow Federal
The Terry Thomas Building in the Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood is a highly sustainable commercial building, earning a LEED gold rating. Built on the site of a former 1920s industrial warehouse, Terry Thomas is located near transit and a future pedestrian corridor. The location also contributes to reducing its carbon footprint by encouraging employees to walk, cycle or bus to work.
The design aimed to reduce energy usage by 30 percent compared to a typical office building. Using natural ventilation strategies rather than a central air-conditioning system contributed greatly to the energy-saving goal. Passive cooling is achieved through operable windows, which are enhanced by automated louvers, high ceilings, a shallow floor plate and a central court that draws warmer air through the floor and up through the courtyard.
A reflective roof keeps the upper floors cool and exterior "smart" blinds automatically adjust depending on sunlight levels and orientation. To keep the building warm, the team installed additional thermal insulation and high-efficiency hydronic radiators along the exterior walls, allowing for independent temperature control.
Reduced lighting, a feature staircase to encourage use, and installation of a single energy-efficient elevator also contribute to the project's goal of sustainable living. Shallow floor plate depths and high ceilings allow natural light to penetrate the interior of the offices from both the exterior of the building and the open-air courtyard. Specialized lighting controls also reduce energy use.
Rafn Co. built a stormwater drainage system to conserve as much water as possible. An on-site tank detains runoff, then slowly releases it to the city's stormwater system. Low-flow fixtures, dual-flush toilets and waterless urinals are projected to lessen water use by about half.
Rafn salvaged most of the existing, two-story building, especially its brick and heavy timber. The team also recycled 93 percent of materials during demolition and 94 percent of the construction waste.
The interior of the building has an exposed design, minimizing material use. The design team integrated castellated steel beams to efficiently span column free spaces and allow for natural air circulation. The windows and storefront are locally manufactured, as is the metal exterior cladding. Lobby interior and exterior stair walls are clad in Ipe wood. There were no time-loss injuries and only one medical-only injury in the 12,993 hours worked on the project.