Case Study

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Belt Collins: 3-Star Tenant Improvement of Seattle Office

Built Green Rating: 3 Star Tenant Improvement Built by Belt Collins Location: Seattle

This months featured project is a commercial tenant improvement of the brand new Seattle office of Belt Collins, a planning, engineering, landscape architecture and environmental consulting firm. It is the first tenant improvement to utilize Built Green’s new pilot program for commercial projects. Belt Collins Principal Ellen Southard and interior designer Linda Cohen of LSC Design Studio worked closely together to achieve their lofty environmental goals for the project. Just across from Pike Place Market, and with a beautiful view of Elliot Bay, Belt Collins started by choosing a site that has a high density of flex cars to make use of alternative transportation options.

In the early phases of build-out they implemented a jobsite waste recycling program, and chose a pre-existing building to minimize material use. Since the project is a tenant improvement rather than a new construction project, there was a heavy focus on green finish materials such as recycled content vinyl-free carpet tile, recycled content ceiling tile, true linoleum flooring, and FSC Certified wood. Belt Collins was also able to focus heavily on indoor air quality to improve the working conditions of the staff. They used low VOC paints and sealers throughout and ventilated after each finish was applied, used low-pile commercial carpet with a low toxic backing, and installed CO2 detectors in all of the meeting rooms. Energy Star appliances were installed in the staff area and a low toxic maintenance and cleaning plan was implemented to ensure that the effort they put into product selection is carried through the occupancy of the space. They selected greener office furniture such as recycled file cabinets that they had electrostatically painted to look new, conference tables made of reclaimed and rapidly renewable materials, cradle to cradle certified 100% recyclable office chairs. Finally they used recycled kimonos as an artistic decoration motif.

As a participant in the Built Green’s pilot program for commercial projects, Belt Collins is helping Built Green develop a checklist and certification strategy for tenant improvement projects as well as cultivate a deeper understanding of the environmental strategies that are unique to these projects.

The many green features include:

Site and Water Protection

• Chose existing building to minimize construction impacts
• Specifically located within high density flex car area
• Parking lot located behind building

Using Energy Wisely

• Hot water heating system beyond code
• Light tubes used to bring in additional natural light
• Daylighting strategies give employees view outside and reduce lighting needs
• Energy Star appliances in staff area

Health and Indoor Air Quality

• No formaldehyde emitting products used in project
• Used strategy to mitigate construction dust
• Used low-VOC paints on all interior surfaces
• Ventilated with fans after each new finish was applied
• No vinyl used anywhere in the project
• Installed CO2 detectors
• Maintenance plan requires use of less toxic cleaners

Using Materials Wisely and Reducing Waste

• Conference tables made of rapidly renewable Kirei top and reclaimed alder legs
• All office chairs are certified Cradle to Cradle and 100% recyclable
• Used salvaged file cabinets and electrostatically repainted to look new
• Recycled Kimonos used as custom art decoration
• True linoleum used for flooring
• Used recycled content removable carpet tiles with no vinyl in backing
• Installed recycled content acoustical tile ceilings
• Use of FSC certified new wood

 

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