Oregon Sustainability Center

[forestgreen]

Highlights from the Oregon Sustainability Center feasibility study [updated]

"At the core of the project is a 220,000+ square foot urban, mixed-use high-rise located on the eastern edge of the Portland State University campus, between SW 4th and 5th Avenues and between Harrison and Montgomery Streets. The Center is also the proposed anchor for Portland’s first Eco-District, a neighborhood development strategy that combines high performance buildings with city infrastructure, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and water use."

Interesting picture on the below site:

http://chatterbox.typepad.com/portlandarchitecture/2009/06/highlights-from-the-oregon-sustainability-center-feasibility-study.html

 

[forestgreen]

Sustainability Center ready to rise to ‘green’ future
Legislature’s $80 million bond lays groundwork for new downtown building

http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=124763002451962800

 

[forestgreen]

PSU aims to create new eco district
Idea takes green building movement to a deeper level

A greener PSU
PSU’s interest in an eco district fits the university’s new dedication to sustainable practices, as well as its plans to nearly double its student housing in the next decade, Gregory says. The university expects to add lodgings for 2,000 students in the next 10 years, and, ultimately, transcend its reputation as a commuter school.

Having multiple blocks and property owners makes it easier to pay the costs of a central heating system for the district, such as PSU’s natural gas-fired power plant or below-ground geothermal heating pipes, Gregory says.

The PSU data center spins off a lot of excess heat from all the computer equipment, but that heat may be rechanneled into a nearby student residence hall, Gregory says. “At any given moment, Building A may not need the heat but Building B does.”

The Portland Development Commission, the city urban renewal agency, hired SERA Architects to study the prospect of an eco district in the University District, the city’s designated neighborhood surrounding PSU.

The study is raising some interesting concepts to be explored as the sustainability institute seeks to define parameters for eco districts. One is “hydrological equity,” or how to fairly apportion treated wastewater to the local underground aquifer, river and existing building for reuse, says Eric Ridenour, urban designer for SERA. Another is how to design a “green street,” such as Montgomery Street through the PSU campus, that will require cooperative methods to minimize storm drainage and other impacts.

Malmo, Sweden, which arose on an old industrial site, is an international model for green cities and eco districts. Vancouver, British Columbia, is using similar techniques at a site being developed for the 2010 Winter Olympics, Bennett says.

A trio of organizations also is working to expand the green-building rating system, known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, into a neighborhood concept.

An eco district borrows from those ideas, but is more geared to changing an existing neighborhood than building from the ground up.

The concept is “still going into the oven,” Ridenour says. But, he adds, “I think Portland is leading the nation in bringing it all together.”

For full article:

http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=125010625942170900

 

[forestgreen]

A Portland sustainability center could sprout in 2010

PORTLAND, ORE.: After more than a year of technical studies, the greenest large-scale building in the world appears poised to start construction at Portland State University next year.

The $90 million Oregon Sustainability Center -- for several years a gauzy notion but this year funded by the Oregon Legislature -- will be a showcase of the state's green building innovation that draws visitors, researchers and designer-developers from across the world. It will rely solely on its own solar panels for energy and use no more water than falls on the site, among other major environmental feats.

That's according to its many partner-sponsors, among them the Oregon University System, the city of Portland and dozens of nonprofits promoting the green life in all its aspects.

The project could break ground as early as spring -- and has ambitions that extend well beyond Portland.

For the full article: http://www.energycurrent.com/index.php?id=3&storyid=20161

 

[forestgreen]

Construction to Begin on New Green High-Rise at PSU

http://www.northwesthub.org/Oregon-Sustainability-Center-535

Construction on one of the most environmentally friendly high-rise buildings in the world could begin on the campus of Portland State University (PSU) as soon as next spring.

As reported in The Oregonian, the 11-story Oregon Sustainability Center will feature cutting-edge green building technologies that could make the building a destination for the world's leading innovators in green building design and research. Project organizers and government backers also hope the building will spur a boom in the state's economy, making Oregon a hub for the country's nascent green economy while creating new green jobs in the process.

The building will be known as the Oregon Sustainability Center (OSC) and will house a variety of nonprofit tenants devoted to sustainability and environmental protection. The building may also house some City of Portland offices and PSU offices and classrooms.

The $90 million project is being funded almost completely by $80 million in bonds authorized by the Oregon State Legislature this past year. The remaining funds may come through private foundations, federal grants and the donation of materials from local companies. Building tenants will pay back the bonds.

According to the OSC website, the new high-rise will adhere to the design prerequisites of the Cascadia Region Green Building Council's Living Building Challenge. The prerequisites require on-site production of all the building's energy, integrated water reuse systems and a zero impact carbon footprint. Among the building's more interesting design elements are a flower-shaped array of solar panels on the building's roof and extra-thick exterior walls to help conserve energy.

Project organizers are also asking the Portland City Council to partially fund a $5 million realignment to the Portland Streetcar that would alter the route to service the new building.

 

[ManOfVision]

So technically, this is not part of PSU or on PSU's campus, right? Won't it be on that empty block next to the red brick church? Not that I'm complaining - it is, in my opinion, a fantastic idea and something that will benefit Portland and PSU regardless of who "owns" it.

 

[PortlandStater]

Well, the OUS is a partner-sponsor and it looks like there will be classroom space. So even though it is not a PSU building, it will be part of the school (or rather vice versa). The main benefit will be to have multiple academic organizations involved with sustainability right on campus.

 

[forestgreen]

First Large-scale ‘Living Building’ to be Constructed

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/11/first-large-scale-living-building-to-be-constructed/

The Oregon Sustainability Center, which is being called the first large-scale “living building,” is projected to have a zero carbon footprint.

The 12-story building, to be built in Portland, will generate its own energy on-site using solar photovoltaics and goethermal energy. The building is adjacent to Portland State University and will host sustainability-related classes.

Oregon Sustainability Center

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOALYF6VVwI&feature=player_embedded

 

[ManOfVision]

When are they going to start building this thing?

 

[forestgreen]

Local officials take Oregon Sustainability Center message to D.C.
Delegation seeks federal funds to help build the $120 million project


http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=126439836679155800

 

[freja]

This is a very exciting venture for all involved and great that it is in such close proximity to the University, regardless of ownership the affiliation will help brand the campus as a very forward thinking institution and help explain why there are less funds allocated for sports and arenas and FB fields etc etc; hope the funding happens (as much as I'd like a new arena to replace the Stott - it still works)

 

[forestgreen]

Oregon Sustainability Center becoming reality
Large-scale sustainable building project to break ground this spring

http://www.dailyvanguard.com/oregon-sustainability-center-becoming-reality-1.2157108

 

[forestgreen]

Oregon Sustainability Center could shrink

http://djcoregon.com/news/2010/03/22/oregon-sustainability-center-could-shrink/

 

[forestgreen]

Oregon Sustainability Center turns to corporations for financial help

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2010/04/oregon_sustainability_center_turns_to_corporations_for_financial_help.html

 

[forestgreen]

Oregon Sustainability Center moves to schematic design
Smaller building necessary to keep costs low

http://www.dailyvanguard.com/oregon-sustainability-center-moves-to-schematic-design-1.2246167

 

[forestgreen]

Sustainability center at crossroads

http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2010/07/sustainability_center_at_crossroads.html?surround=lfn

 

[forestgreen]

Oregon Sustainability Center Moves Forward in Portland

http://theportlander.com/2010/08/04/oregon-sustainability-center-moves-forward-in-portland/

Portland City Council today unanimously supported a resolution directing the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) and the Portland Development Commission (PDC) to initiate schematic design for the Oregon Sustainability Center.

“The Oregon Sustainability Center is a pioneering project. We’re doing something here that’s never been done before at this scale,” said Portland Mayor Sam Adams. “We’re seizing an opportunity to show the world that Portland’s engineers, architects, developers, contractors and building professionals are at the forefront of green-building innovation. By becoming a tenant and investor, the City of Portland again demonstrates we can be the leading city in clean technology innovation.”

Demonstrating federal support for this unprecedented project, Congressman David Wu (D-OR) spoke at City Council this morning, alongside representatives from the offices of Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR).

“The history of America, the history of our economy is innovation,” said Rep. Wu. “The Oregon Sustainability Center will serve as a focal point for people, ideas and innovation focused on green energy and efficiency.”

The delegation also announced this morning that they have secured a $300,000 appropriation for the OSC in the Senate Energy and Water bill.

“Portland has long been the green-building industry leader for the nation,” said Johnell Bell, representing Sen. Merkley at Council. “To stay the leader, we must continue to evolve. Senator Merkley remains committed to the Oregon Sustainability Center and to Oregon becoming the hub of the new clean energy economy.”

As one of the highest performing commercial buildings in the world, OSC will achieve triple net-zero performance in energy and water use and carbon emissions. It is designed to meet the world’s most stringent green building criteria: the Cascadia Region Green Building Council’s Living Building Challenge™.

The design will cost $900,000 to complete, split equally between PDC and the OUS. The design team, led by Sera Architects, Gerding Edlen Development and GBD Architects, expects to commence schematic design in mid-September.

OSC is a first-of-a-kind synthesis of unparalleled environmental performance with an integrated sustainability agenda, serving both as a technological model and as a hub for sustainable practices, policy, education, research and entrepreneurship.

Testimony by representatives of SolarWorld, Intel and General Electric emphasized the private sector’s enthusiasm for the project’s job creation potential as well as its capacity to create an immediate market for Oregon products and services and incubate the commercialization of new products.

“Building the OSC will not only create a physical structure, it creates a nexus for innovation, for creating new discoveries, new products and new policies,” said Scott Shull of the Intel Corporation. “We stand ready to contribute in-kind technology to help make this project a success.”

Design and construction of the Center will create more than 1,300 jobs in the near term, with workers gaining unique experience in innovative prototype building that will accommodate a growing demand for green construction.

“Thirty-five percent of the construction industry’s skilled laborers are out of work right now,” said John Mohlis, representing the Northwest Trades/Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council. “They’re ready and eager to get back to work, but I know they’d be proud to put their skills to work on such a cutting-edge project.”

Located on the edge of the Portland State University campus in downtown Portland, OSC will bring together academic, government, nonprofit and business sectors to advance the region’s innovation in sustainability. It will be a replicable model for meeting the challenges of the 21st century economy by creating new industries and spawning new green jobs.

“Having the OSC on campus will provide us with a world-class teaching and research facility,” said Lindsay Desrochers of Portland State University. “This facility will serve to further PSU’s already strong reputation as a leader in the research and development of green technology.”

A robust research agenda will maximize OSC’s experimental opportunities. A solid connection will be made between the research agenda and the businesses that can turn research into marketable products and services.

The OSC demonstrates the intersection of Portland’s Climate Action Plan and Portland’s Five-Year Economic Development Strategy, both led by Mayor Adams and adopted by City Council in 2009.

 

[forestgreen]

Sustainability Center gets OUS boost

http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2010/09/06/daily35.html

The group overseeing Oregon’s universities agreed to pour $500,000 into the design for the proposed Oregon Sustainability Center at Portland State University.

The Oregon University System’s board voted Friday to help cover the cost of a $1 million schematic design for the center with the Portland Development Commission. The 150,000-square-foot structure, which OUS officials now estimate will cost $69.4 million, is expected to help spur green research within sustainability-related industries.

Portland-based Gerding Edlen Development will perform the design work.

Supporters believe the structure will generate its own electricity through solar power, treat its own wastewater and yield no carbon emissions.

The universities are developing the building with the city of Portland, the Portland Development Commission and several other partners.

The Portland City Council is scheduled to vote early next year on whether to move the project forward.

 

[forestgreen]

Sustainability center lands $250,000 grant

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2010/12/22/SustGrant12-22.html

The city’s signature sustainability project has collected $250,000 to help leaders craft educational programs.

The Meyer Memorial Trust awarded the grant to the Oregon Sustainability Center, which will sit next to the Portland State University campus. The grant will fund “outreach and education programming” related to academic and student uses on the center’s first two floors.

The Meyer trust becomes the first foundation to invest in the Oregon Sustainability Center.

The center’s programming will showcase land use and transportation planning activities, waste management development, green energy, local food and green economic development.

The Oregon University System submitted the grant request on behalf of a partnership with six other groups. The Portland Development Commission is the center’s project manager.

Project leaders will hold a public meeting to review schematic design alternatives for the center on Jan. 18. The meeting takes place between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at PSU’s Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom, 1825 S.W. Broadway, in room 355.

 

[forestgreen]

Is this project ever going to happen?

Skanska could be Oregon Sustainability Center tenant

http://assets.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2011/08/skanska-could-be-sustainability-center.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;