Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center Renovation in Portland Combines Green Design with Historic Preservation

In the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon, the recent renovation of the <a href="http://www.ecotrust.org/ncc/">Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center</a> stands as an example of collaborative sustainable efforts married with historic preservation. This renovation of an 1865 transit building was commissioned by the nonprofit conservation organization <a href="http://www.ecotrust.org/">Ecotrust</a> to become a hub of economic and social activity. This <a href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=LEED+Gold">LEED Gold</a> building has been open since 2001 and continues to give back to the Portland community.

The sustainable components of the Natural Capital Center include 98% reuse or reclamation of construction debris (a Portland city record), the reuse of 75% of the existing structure, and harvesting 50% of the construction materials locally.

The most impressive aspect of this building is the attention that was paid to protecting the Willamette River by controlling all stormwater runoff.

Bioswales around the site also help to filter and absorb runoff from the parking lot and other hardscapes.

The building was also seismically retrofitted to improve the structure of the old 19th century warehouse.

The 70,000 square foot warehouse building was renovated to include retail, office and display/event space. This brick and timber building maintains the character of the Pearl District, and is thought to have helped spur the district’s revitalization efforts.

All of these features added up to help make this building the first LEED Gold rated historic building in the country!