Seattle University
IN-4: Innovation 4

The University’s Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability (CEJS) is housed within the Bullitt Center, billed as the world’s “greenest commercial building" and built to meet the Living Building Challenge. CEJS moved to the Bullitt Center in 2013, providing staff and student interns the unique opportunity to work in the Center, as well as demonstrate the schools investment in supporting the future of green building. Students are able to interact and learn from the building through touring the facility and learning about its design and impacts integrated into some course curriculum. Hands-on opportunities are available for students to practice evaluating the performance of the water treatment system by verifying that the treated water complies with the Washington State Department of Health’s water quality requirements. The relationship between the Bullitt Center and Seattle University has aided in the encouraged engagement of both institutions and their members towards sustainable building and education for a greener and better future.

The six story building is covered in solar panels, so even in rainy Seattle, it produces more energy than it uses on an average day. The 55,000 gallon storage tank in the basement of the building collects rain water to meet tenant water demands, and most of the building’s waste is processed on-site. This includes grey water from sinks and showers which are treated in a third-story wetland treatment system. 26 closed looped ground source heat wells, each 400 ft. deep in the earth that’s a constant 55 degrees. Water returns 10 degrees warmer through the magic of the heat pump. This provides radiant heat throughout the building. The building some not contain any “Red List” hazardous materials, including PVC, cadmium, lead, mercury and hormone‐mimicking substances, all of which are commonly found in building components. The location of the Bullitt Center supports a pedestrian­, bicycle­, and transit­friendly lifestyle. Composting toilets on every floor use a couple of tablespoons of water mixed with biodegradable soap to form lubricating foam in the toilet bowl. Waste is transported down a pipe to one of 10 composters in the basement. All wood that is used in the Bullitt Center is FSC certified.