Who Is Zero?

On Jan. 1, the uber-green Bullitt Center started going for Living Building certification. It needs 365 continuous days at net-zero energy and water. So far, so good. (We busted our New Year's resolution on Jan. 2, so this is quite impressive.)

Bullitt Foundation CEO Denis Hayes says that the building not only uses a lot less energy that a to-code conventional building of the same size—147,260 kWh for the year vs. more than 593,000 kWh–-but the building also generates more than 252,000 kWh using the solar panels on its hat. It doesn't take any energy from the grid; in fact, it adds to it. Seattle’s cloudy and the building could still do that; other cities should be embarrassed if they don’t, Denis says.

By the way, did you remember Earth Day yesterday? It's not clear whether that's Earth's birthday or anniversary, but either way, get it a card. (Printed on recycled paper.) The 85% occupied Bullitt Center celebrated its first birthday yesterday, too.

On the topic of green, the GSA is consolidating federal agencies to promote efficiency and lower the government’s carbon footprint. It’s identified 19 of its properties across the country for consolidation, which the agency says will save $17M in annual rent payments and reduce annual leasing costs by more than $38M. In Seattle, the focus of the consolidation will be Bank of America Fifth Ave and the Jackson Federal Building (pictured).

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's Seattle Newsletters
Related Stories

1,300 Projects Potentially Paused Due To Suspension Of Quality Inspectors

Center City Office Demand Starts Spilling From Trophy To Class-A Despite Debt Issues

EXCLUSIVE: Georgia-Pacific Scraps Conversion Plans For Its Atlanta HQ

Walker & Dunlop On Why The Housing Market Is More Balanced Than It Appears

Y'all Street Powers Trophy Office Momentum In Uptown Dallas

Baby Boomers Help Push Atlanta Medical Space Rents Above Traditional Office

U.S. Office Sales Show 31% Year-Over-Year Growth

Burlington Moving HQ To Philly, Buys Office Building For $240M

In Booming Silicon Valley, Architecture Firm Revel Meets Clients Where They Are

Miami Is 'Desperate' For A New Office Tower. It's About To Get 2

Joss Realty CEO, Executives Join Another Company's Real Estate Division

California Duo's Ponzi-Like Investment Scheme Unravels With Bankruptcy, SEC Charges