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SolTerra, in keeping with its tradition of building the most energy-efficient buildings possible, has begun construction of its new headquarters in Portland, at Southeast Ninth Avenue and Division Street.

SolTerra co-founder Brian Heather said he believes the new five-story building, scheduled for completion next spring, will be the tallest on the West Coast constructed with insulated concrete forms.

鈥淚t’s sort of like large Styrofoam Legos filled with concrete,鈥� he said.

One of the building’s distinctive features will be in its center: a 6,000-square-foot green roof with a large tree surrounded by glass. The eco-roof will be planted with soil five feet deep and feature drought-tolerant plants and a high-efficiency drip irrigation system that will reduce outdoor water demand by 77 percent, according to a SolTerra fact sheet. Also, low-flow plumbing fixtures will save water.

Heather said he believes the building is among the first, if not the first, to take part in Energy Trust of Oregon‘s 鈥淧ath to Net Zero鈥� program. He expects the building to attain a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design platinum rating.

The building will be used solely by SolTerra employees and have retail space and parking on the first floor, Heather said.

鈥淲e have about 110 employees between Seattle and Portland, and about 60 will be in Portland,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e will use the entire building for different pieces of our business.鈥�

SolTerra has many 鈥減ieces,鈥� and all of its work is done in-house. That includes architectural design, general contracting, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and concrete.

鈥淲e have a really amazing team and there’s a really good culture and talent in Portland,鈥� Heather said. 鈥淭hat really allowed us to take on such a big project, and we want to be part of Portland for many, many years to come.鈥�

This will be the first time the company will own its headquarters and not have to rent space, Heather said. That’s important because the company is expanding rapidly, he said.

鈥淲e’re growing very fast and have hired at least 20 people in the last two months,鈥� he said.

SolTerra recently completed construction of The Woodlawn, a 19-unit mixed-use building in Northeast Portland. Another project, the 46-unit Brooklyn Yard in Southeast Portland, is under construction.