The Federal Center South project in Seattle, along with two other Federal buildings undergoing mechanical-system upgrades, are on a fast track. The Federal Center South project is a performance based, design-build model, which puts at risk 0.5% of the $66 million contract award. In other words, the design build team will not receive $330,000 until the building meets the energy use targets that were promised for the structure.
In order to verify that the building will hit the energy savings targets, the money will be held back for at least 12-months after occupancy. The conditions imposed by the U.S. General Services Administration Northwest/Arctic Region are the first of their kind. Sellen Construction Co. of Seattle is performing the work on the project.
According to GSA’s website: “The building is expected to attain gold certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design from the U.S. Green Building Council. Among the many green features of the new building is extensive use of natural daylight, conversion of existing hardscape into low-impact sustainable green space, use of recycled timbers and other building materials, and an energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning system that uses under-floor air distribution. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2012.”