NWMC gets LEED Gold Certification

Nic Lehoux photo

The US Green Building Council has awarded the Northwest Maritime Center (NWMC) with LEED Gold certification. The NWMC, designed by Miller|Hull partnership of Seattle and opened to the public in September of 2009, was designed not only to protect but to actually improve and restore the waters of the Puget Sound. From energy use reduction to habitat restoration and material selection-all aspects of sustainability were considered by the maritime center and the design team.

Energy use reduction strategies incorporated into the design include abundant natural daylight and ventilation achieved through operable clerestory windows running the length of the buildings which minimize the need for artificial lighting. Furthermore, 100% of the center's current electricty is from Puget Sound Energy's "green power" program, thereby reducing the center's energy load on the city's power grid.

A move toward LEED Gold certification was conducted at the later stages of the design process. "The intent was always to build a sustainable building," said Craig Curtis, lead architect, "however, a donor learned that the project would easily qualify as a certified building under the LEED program." The Martin/Fabert Foundation stepped forward to support the campaign's additional costs to incorporate other sustainable elements that would help it achieve LEED Gold certification.

"Every sustainable project needs a champion and given the center's mission, sustainability goals, and prime location on Puget Sound, it was a wise investment on our part," said Lisa Martin. "We strongly believe that a sustainable building is key to ensuring the health of the center and its programs for future generations."

The Northwest Maritime Center is the first LEED Gold certified building on the Olympic Peninsula.