91视频

A Southeast Portland mixed-use project being built to strict green standards is proving to be both a challenge and an inspiration to the project team. The Breathe Building, located on Southeast 50^th Avenue near Division Street, is being constructed to meet three of seven 鈥減etals鈥� of the Living Building Challenge: materials, equity, and beauty.

Project team members are vetting all materials used on the site to ensure that they do not contain any harmful chemicals listed on the LBC’s 鈥渞ed list.” If no materials can be found without red-listed items, LBC guidelines require writing letters to three manufacturers of the desired material encouraging them to consider finding alternatives to the chemical ingredients.

Construction waste is being sorted by hand at a processing facility and redistributed to the proper recycling channels, and a regular report is prepared detailing exactly what kind of waste is being produced. Disposable plastic water bottles and beverage containers are being discouraged in favor of a water jug and reusable bottles provided to workers by the project’s owner.

鈥淲e want everybody to be aware of the last, littlest detail,鈥� said Michael Vogt, project superintendent with general contractor The Building LLC, a company established for the project by owner Chris Calarco, who is working with design/build firm Green Hammer.

Community involvement is a key element of the project, as well. Pieces of scrap from the site have been donated to artists, who are encouraged to send photos of the works they create with the material. Project team members have been working closely to minimize the impact of construction with neighbors, one of whom was treated to a car detailing by construction workers who took a break from building to wash and wax her vehicle.

The building is slated for completion this December or early January 2015. When completed, it will house Yoga Union, a caf茅, wellness center and community space.