Image by Mir The new Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Pioneer Square will pursue a LEED platinum rating and Green Globes certification. The Urban Visions project was designed by Mithun.

Developers who try to go green find money stands in their way
Going net-zero can add 7 percent to the cost of construction. Financial incentives could help more ultra-green projects get built.

By AARON SWAIN
Weber Thompson

Building operators add energy management to their repertoire
Savings can come from simple steps like turning off equipment at night.

By ERIK WESTERHOLM
Northwest Water & Energy Education Institute

Big-box store gets a second life after a green makeover
Adaptive reuse offers an eco-friendly way to transform urban sites.

By GREG BELDING & ELIN HEADRICK
Rice Fergus Miller

‘Passive house’ design can make housing more affordable
Pennsylvania and other states are seizing on super-efficient housing as a way to cut operating costs and build healthier homes for families in need.

By TIM WEYAND
Nicholson Kovalchick Architects

Ballard fire station goes from energy hog to energy heaven
The 1970s building is 38 percent more efficient after a big renovation.

By NELSON MARTELLE
SHKS Architects

South Lake Union’s ‘swale on Yale' is getting set to grow
The stormwater system will treat over 190 million gallons of runoff a year when it’s completed in 2018.

By DAVID SCHWARTZ
KPFF Consulting Engineers

JASON SHARPLEY
Seattle Public Utilities

& BRANDON MORGAN
Vulcan Real Estate

Weyerhaeuser’s new headquarters will show off its wood products
The interiors will be furnished with renewable, local lumber.

By BILL LAPATRA & LANA LISITSA
Mithun

What is embodied carbon and why should we care?
Building materials and construction activity are major sources of carbon emissions. We need to reduce their impact.

By STACY SMEDLEY
Skanska USA

How sharing sit-stand desks will help Antioch be smaller and greener
It's one of the ways the school will save space and use less furniture in its new home.

By MEAGHAN BEEVER & KATHRYN MOORE
Gensler