By UW Sustainability | May 23, 2011

PACCAR HallThe University of Washington announced today that PACCAR Hall has been awarded LEED Gold certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

“The LEED rating on the PACCAR Hall project, represents the 8th LEED certified project on the Seattle campus, and the 5th GOLD rating,” says Clara Simon, UW’s Sustainability Manager for the project. “The Capital Projects office is pleased to be able to achieve these results for our client.”

“Thank you to all who helped make PACCAR Hall the wonderful building it is for the UW’s Seattle campus. It is incredibly well received and liked by all who occupy the space. Everyone marvels at the way it creates such an interactive community and new home for the Foster School of Business for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Learning that it is certified as a LEED GOLD building is icing on the cake,” stated Roland (Pete) Dukes, the Foster Business School representative for the project.

UW’s PACCAR Hall achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified building save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

LEED certification of Gold LEED-NC v2.2 was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:

  • 21.3% Energy Savings  
  • 34.2% Annual Water Savings
  • 99% FSC Certified Wood Products
  • 13% of Product from within 500 Miles
  • 21.7% Recycled Content in Materials
  • 96% Construction Waste Recycling
  • Commissioned Building to Assure Operational Excellence
  • Green Roof System Integrated with Outdoor Decking
  • 35,325 SF of Open Space dedicated to the project
  • Low VOC Paints, Adhesives and Carpet
  • Electric Vehicle Plug-In Station
  • Purchase of Green Power
  • No Added Urea-Formaldehyde in Wood Products Installed in the Building
  • Non-Chemical Treatment of Cooling Towers
  • Campus Comprehensive Transportation Program
  • Green Housekeeping During Building Operations

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U.S. Green Building Council

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.

With a community comprising 80 local affiliates, more than 18,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 167,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Over 100,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED rating systems, comprising over 8 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 114 countries.

By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.