February 7, 2019

USGBC ranks Washington state 3rd for amount of LEED-certified space

Photo by David W. Cohen [enlarge]

Faith In Action Senior Center and Thrift Store in Belfair is certified LEED silver. Over half the site has native vegetation.

Washington ranks third in the U.S. Green Building Council's 2018 list of Top 10 States for LEED.

States are ranked on the square footage of LEED-certified space per person in commercial and institutional projects.

Illinois was first with 172 LEED projects, representing 5.31 square feet of LEED space per person.

Washington had 137 such projects, representing 4.25 square feet of LEED space per person.

This is the ninth year for the list.

USGBC said the Top 10 states had more than 1,800 buildings certified LEED in 2018. The buildings are healthier, use less energy and water, reduce carbon emissions and save money, it said.

In a press release, the USGBC mentioned several notable Washington projects:

• Faith In Action Senior Center and Thrift Store in Belfair, LEED silver. The gathering spot for seniors also has a thrift shop selling affordable clothing. Over half of the site is habitat and native vegetation, and the parking has permeable paving. Most construction waste was recycled and some materials were regionally sourced. Foster & Williams Architects was the architect and PHC Construction LLC the contractor;

• WSU Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center in Pullman, LEED platinum. The center celebrates the cultural diversity of Washington State University's campus, providing a space for students to connect with others. GGLO was the architect and Absher Construction Co. the contractor.

• Seattle Fire Station 22, LEED platinum. It is designed to support the well-being of its firefighters, and incorporates efficient plumbing techniques to provide non-potable water. Weinstein A+U was the architect and Par-Tech Construction the contractor.

• DATA 1 office building in Seattle, LEED gold. Innovative bioretention spouts keep runoff and toxic pollution from flowing into the lake and salmon spawning grounds. Weber Thompson was the architect, landscape architect and did educational signage. Pennon Construction was the contractor.