Portland Renovates Federal Building with Sustainability as Priority

Portland looks to keep their Eco-friendly image alive as they build a vertical garden on the fecade of the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt federal building in their city. The plants, which will reach 200 feet high, will be more than an aesthetic improvement for city, but will house energy saving plants as well. The vertical garden is part of a $ 330 million renovation in Portland headed by the General Services Administration that will renovate public buildings throughout the city. This specific renovation will be designed by Cutler Anderson Architects.



The building will be one of the largest, more energy efficient high-rises in America and possibly even the world. Here is an excerpt from the New York Times' article on the vertical garden's plans for sustainable success:

The G.S.A. says the building will use 60 percent to 65 percent less energy than comparable buildings and estimates a savings of $280,000 annually in energy costs. Solar panels could provide up to 15 percent of the building’s power needs. The use of rainwater and low-flow plumbing fixtures will reduce potable water consumption by 68 percent. And energy for lighting will be halved.

Another interesting plan for the building is how these plants will be watered. The developers say that they will use the rain water from the roof, along with excess plumbing water called "grey water" to water the plants.

Not a bad renovation for the rose city. Hopefully this renovation series will go beyond public buildings. What we need is for these renovations to go to the private homes of the city's inhabitants. Just think of the possibilities that the city as a whole could have in reducing their carbon footprint, creating new jobs, and saving millions on energy bills. This is the sustainability we need to create, something beyond environmental sustainability, but rather, as Werbach says in his book "Strategy for Sustainability," sustainability for social, economic, cultural AND enviornmental causes. We have the opportunity to get the ball rolling with these innovations and I believe in time we will see what a difference we can make.

But there are some big problems they are facing with the renovation as well. Many believe that the renovation will cost more than what new Eco-friendly and sustainable building are costing. But will it pay off in the end? You must think beyond initial costs when deciding if the renovation is worth the money or not. With the money they will be saving in the future, as well as the positive impact the renovation will have for sustainability, I believe it is a wise investment and will a great role model for other cities.