In pursuit of zero energy

This is one of Washington’s first zero energy projects, with the addition of onsite renewables currently underway. The state’s role as a national leader in energy efficiency and embodied carbon reductions—and its obligation to future generations to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from state operations—are front and center in the design. Executive Order 18-01 calls for all newly constructed state-owned buildings to be zero energy or zero energy-capable.

All-electric, high-performance systems include a dedicated outdoor air system, with active chilled beams in labs and hydronic radiant heating and cooling devices in offices and training areas, that only pulls in air when it’s the right temperature. This is 70% more efficient than standard HVAC systems. A central hydronic heating, cooling, and heat recovery plant with a closed-loop geo-exchange bore field and heat recovery heat pumps maximizes the efficiency of thermal energy generation and further reduces emissions compared to traditional combustion boilers for heating. An air-to-air runaround hydronic loop is also utilized between the supply and exhaust air systems for heat recovery of the building’s ventilation air. The result is an EUI of 85 kBtu/SF/yr—nearly 65% lower than the state average of 240 for lab facilities.

Other sustainability features include:

• Reduced energy demand through siting, massing, and enhanced building envelope
• Occupancy sensors that expand the thermal comfort range and controlled outlets to reduce non-essential energy use outside of normal operating hours
• Passive and low-energy systems with natural and mixed mode ventilation, including ceiling fans and operable windows
• Optimized natural lighting strategies with daylight sensors and LED interior lighting
• High efficiency water fixtures
• Onsite stormwater management
• EV charging stations
• Radiant floor
• Rooftop and site solar panels

The forest as a feature

The building was sited and oriented to preserve forest and buffer the building from Interstate-5. From inside, the forest becomes a biophilic feature connecting users to the Pacific Northwest setting. A WiFi-enabled pathway meanders from the back porch into the woods and around the perimeter of the site, so employees can participate in virtual meetings outdoors.

As a shared project with two distinct user groups, the design process required significant collaboration with multiple stakeholders. The agencies share similar requirements to protect public health and safety, but their laboratory needs differ. L&I prevents and responds to workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths by training first responders to identify job site hazards and perform hazardous materials testing to ensure workers have proper protection when performing their duties. In addition to labs, the building features a high bay demonstration space and outdoor training yard to replicate the conditions inspectors will encounter on job sites and in workplaces. WSDA conducts health inspections, testing, and certifications to protect Washington's food supply, agriculture industry, public health, and the environment. Coming together in one building was a win-win to ensure both agencies have the right space and equipment to continue protecting Washingtonians.

Decades in the making

At the ribbon cutting in 2023, state employees who advocated for this project for years got to witness their dream become a reality. The building is especially timely given current events in Washington state and beyond that demand the type of creativity and innovation that went into its design. From agricultural workers facing rising temperatures, to increasing environmental threats from harmful chemicals and invasive species like murder hornets, to intensifying floods and wildfires precipitated by climate change—Washington is rising to the challenge to protect public health.