Biting the Bullitt Center

In addition to the obvious aspect of avoiding known toxics in the building materials, the design incorporates many additional elements geared towards improving human health. 

For instance, the design provides for adequate and equally distributed natural light throughout the building; the design incorporates an 'irresistible staircase' that encourages use of the stairs rather than the elevator; tremendous views of nature; systems that improve fresh air flow, and much more. All of these health benefits can be found in nature – but in the Bullitt Center they are provided partly by nature and partly by careful mimicking of nature. 

This brings us back to needing to understand ecosystem services on a spectrum that covers natural through technological solutions. Using this approach we can not only measure the health benefits provided by the building, we can get a better understanding of how well our ecosystem service solutions are optimizing outcomes.

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UPDATE: Feb. 21, 2013

BULLITT CENTER INDEPENDENTLY CERTIFIED FOR 100% RESPONSIBLE WOOD USE
First Commercial Building in the US to Earn FSC Project Certification 

SEATTLE – The Bullitt Center, which is the first heavy-timber office building in Seattle since the early 20th century, is also the first commercial building in the U.S. to earn Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Project Certification. At a time when the commercial building industry is looking to wood as a climate-friendly material, the Bullitt Center shows it’s possible to build entirely with wood from responsibly managed forests.

“When it comes from a FSC certified forest, wood is arguably the most environmentally friendly building material,” said Bullitt Foundation CEO, Denis Hayes. “The Bullitt Center is about doing everything right, from the solar array on the roof to the geothermal wells in the ground. When we looked at the wood, FSC was the only way to go,” he added.