“We have two types of shading systems,” Thompson explains. “On the east and west façades of the building, we have fixed, glazed sunshades. On the northeast angled and west façades, as well as in our courtyard, we have exterior blinds that are controlled with sun and wind sensors.”

The two systems work together to balance the natural lighting inside the building. When there is direct sunlight, there may be one façade that’s shut completely, but light still enters the office from the courtyard or from one of the other sides of the building. “With the narrow floor plate, courtyard and multiple exposures, there are very few dark pockets in this entire building,” Thompson says. “For the most part, it’s a very balanced, naturally lit space.”

SAVINGS
With the energy saved from these and other measures throughout the building, the firm projects the Terry Thomas will save approximately 30 percent in energy consumption when compared to a more traditional construction. “Our connected lighting load is about 0.46 watts per foot, which is less than half the Washington state energy code of 1 watt per foot,” Greaves says.

A 30 percent savings in water consumption also is expected. The building uses waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets and sensor-driven faucets. If watering of the perimeter landscaping is necessary, it is done by hand to conserve water.

“Any savings we get in the operating expenses goes into our pockets,” Thompson remarks.” That’s a real incentive for developers. If a potential tenant is looking at a typical Class-A office building with standard HVAC while there is a building across the street that offers the opportunity to save 30 percent in energy consumption, which building will that tenant take? That’s really where the market is going.”

OLD SCHOOL
Weber Thompson moved into the building in April and its employees are excited to be in their new space, which was built around their collective goals and ideas. “We have a young culture that really believes strongly in sustainability,” Greaves says. “There’s been a lot of enthusiasm about taking it to the next level.”

With more than 40 LEED Accredited Professionals on staff, eco consciousness is very much a part of the atmosphere at Weber Thompson. Employees participate in numerous recycling and composting efforts, and some even have formed a volunteer group that meets weekly to come up with new ideas to make the firm more carbon neutral. Some employee-driven programs include planting trees, bike-to-work competitions and an initiative to use biodegradable signs on the firm’s job sites.

The building also has drawn interest from the community. Groups tour the building each week, allowing visitors to see the green techniques at work. “It’s a calm structure and doesn’t scream sustainable design from curb level, but when you walk through the building and see it, it makes a whole lot of sense,” Greaves says. “We’ve taken a very careful and minimal approach, using structural systems as finished surfaces wherever we can. The sustainable design is not added on; it’s part of the bones of the building.”