How can a building that is being touted as the leading sustainable construction project in the world, choose not to attain LEED certification? Simple, they are going to exceed the standards set by this leader in environmental construction practices.

On August 29, 2011, the Bullitt Foundation broke ground at the Cascadia Center in downtown Seattle and it is expected to be the first net-zero energy and water building in the world known as a Living Building.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was developed by the US Green Building Council. The rating system was first implemented in 1998. Since this time in over 30 countries, more than 7,000 projects have been LEED certified. Although a great step forward for providing healthier environments in which to work and live, LEED Rating Systems are based on design not performance measurements.

The northwestern states of Alaska, Washington and Oregon and the territory of British Columbia make up the Cascadia chapter of the US and Canada Green Building Council. This council created the Living Building Challenge which sets substantially higher performance requirements across a more comprehensive set of criteria than required by regulation, or any rating system currently in use."

The Bullitt building will incorporate several energy efficiency and conservation practices. For ambient light most will be produced from daylight. A large cantilevered roof of high efficiency PV solar panels is expected to create enough energy to sell excess energy back to the utility company during the summer months to offset the less productive winter months. Overall energy use is expected to use 75% less energy of a typical building of its size (52,000 square feet) and 50% less than a LEED Platinum rated building.

Using natural cooling and technology additional energy will be saved. Thermostats will be allowed to vary, as windows will be able to be opened and exterior blinds will be motorized. Office equipment that is not in use will be automatically powered down.

Showing truly comprehensive thinking that is outside the box, behavioral economists have been contacted to discuss how to help persuade tenants to think and act in a more environmentally responsible way. Design meets payback for people who use the stairs instead of the elevator as they are treated to stunning views of the downtown area.

Rainwater will be captured in underground cisterns and treated for use in the building. Wastewater will be recycled to be used for gray water uses and sewage will be composted on site and be used for fertilizer once it has been decontaminated and transported offsite.

The Bullitt Center has a way to go before receiving the certification as a Living Building from the International Living Future Institute. After construction is finished, the first year of occupancy will need to show that self-sufficiency tests have been met. As further reflection on Seattle being the global leader in sustainable development, twelve more buildings hoping to attain the Living Building certification are planned for this city.