Green Buildings

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The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit working to make green buildings available to everyone and has a list of green buildings.

The City of Portland adopted a green building policy and funded a Green Building Initiative, which is designed to expand market demand and provide technical services and resources for the building industry. The Portland Office of Planning and Sustainability promotes sustainability principles and practices.

The Portland-based International Living Building Institute administers Living Building Challenge, a performance standard more ecologically rigorous than the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rating.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was started in 2000 and initially was used in the construction of office buildings. The LEED for Homes program is tailored to the needs of single-family construction. Cascadia Green Building Council lists Some LEED buildings around the Portland region. Green building represents a nearly $50 billion industry in the United States and is projected to grow significantly.

Portland State Proposed Sustainability Center
Portland State Proposed Sustainability Center

The Oregon Sustainability Center (above), planned for the Portland State campus, is aiming for triple net-zero performance in energy, water and carbon emissions.

Port of Portland building - note geothermal pipes
Port of Portland building - note geothermal pipes

The Port of Portland headquarters is Gold certified and uses geothermal pipes to supplement heating (above)

Vestas, the world’s largest wind turbine maker, will convert the former Myer and Frank warehouse in Portland, into its new North American headquarters. It will be designed by Gerding Edlen and is shooting for LEED Platinum. Gerding Edlen has been a pioneer in green building development with dozens of Platinum and Gold certified buildings in Portland.

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