Portland's green reputation just got a big boost—the city’s Collaborative Life Sciences Building was recently awarded LEED Platinum certification. Funded by a public-private partnership model, the recently completed two-building complex will be used by three of Oregon's top universities: Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland State University, and Oregon State University. The remarkable 650,000-square-foot building incorporates numerous sustainable features including green roofs, stormwater collection, energy-efficient lighting, and climate control.
Designed by Portland-based SERA Architects and Los Angeles-based CO Architects, the Collaborative Life Sciences Building is comprised of two volumes–a 12-story north tower and a five-story south wing–connected via a glass atrium that filters in copious amounts of natural light. A Collaborative Project Delivery (CPD) process that integrated BIM and off-site prefabrication was used to cut down on construction time and costs. 85-percent (more than three tons) of construction waste was diverted from landfill. The installation of high-performance heating and cooling systems has also resulted in 45-percent energy cost use savings.
Related: Portland’s Record-Breaking Bikescraper has 1,200 Parking Spots for Bikes
In addition to its impressive sustainable features, the $295 million Collaborative Life Sciences Building has garnered praise as the first project of its scale to pool multiple universities’ resources into a state-of-the-art science and research institution. The facilities, which will accommodate approximately 3,000 students a day, are designed to promote interaction among university faculty, graduates, and undergraduates.
+ Oregon Health & Science University
Images via Oregon Health & Science University
