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PAE Living Building

Portland, OR

Business Type

Corporate headquarters and retail

Size

58,000 square feet

Architect

ZGF Architects

Owner

Multiple Owners

Certifications

  • Net-Zero Water
  • Living Building
  • Architecture 2030
  • Net-Zero Energy

The building embodies PAE's vision for a world with clean air, energy, and water for all. As the world’s first developer-driven Living Building, the five-story, mixed-use building will demonstrates replicable and cost-effective solutions for sustainable design removing barriers to entry for highly sustainable projects while helping to revitalizing the community. For in-depth information on the PAE Living Building, click here.

Special Features


  • Designed to last 500+ years
  • First developer-led commercial Living Building proves business case and creates pathway for others
  • 16.2 EUI compared to 41.5 EUI typical energy use by a Portland office building built to code, which is 85% better than Architecture 2030 targets
  • 113% of the energy use provided by onsite and offsite renewable energy
  • 100% of building’s water needs are collected, treated, and used onsite with the help of a 71,000 gallon underground cistern
  • 70% of the building's perimeter spaces can be ventilated or cooled with operable windows
  • 61% energy savings over a typical existing office building before solar harvesting
  • Daylight, views, operable windows, and other biophilic strategies support occupant health, comfort, and productivity
  • Sustainable and healthy building materials include Pacific Northwest-sourced cross-laminated timber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
  • First-of-its-kind multistory vacuum-flush compostable toilets reduce water use and transform waste into a rich nutrient source
  • Through onsite and dedicated offsite solar, the project is a net energy producer
  • Cost-neutral seismic upgrades allow structure to be designed to withstand Category IV, same as hospitals and fire stations
  • Achieves the city's 2050 renewable energy targets 30 years ahead of schedule
  • Walk score of 99 out of 100

Media Coverage

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