This PAE Living Building is a dynamic structure designed and built with the goal of not just doing less harm to the environment but making a positive contribution to it. Designed and engineered to last 500 years, the structure uses less energy, water and material than comparable buildings while delivering superior levels of occupant comfort and productivity. All of the building’s needs are met via onsite water capture and onsite and offsite solar arrays. Solar generates 110% of the energy needed to run the building, which is the largest commercial urban structure with the Living Building certification.
An important aspect of the certification is meeting the ILFI imperative for healthy materials. A materials research team was established to preapprove all products and materials. An extensive check-in procedure was deployed when items were delivered to the jobsite. The total count of products considered exceeded 2,737. The team inspected, photographed and recorded each delivery to make sure it matched the database of approved products.