Building for people and the planet. The Mithun Pier 56 Office renovation in Seattle was recently awarded the Living Building Challenge® (LBC) Petal Certification, including the Materials, Equity, and Beauty petals! The first interior project internationally to achieve certification under the LBC 4.0 framework, this renovation was completed for and designed by Mithun.
Mithun had a clear vision to create intentional, welcoming spaces for their employees, guests, and the local community in their office. Their goal was to improve collaboration spaces; enhance amenities for a diversity of needs; preserve and celebrate the historic 120-year-old structure; provide space for local mission-driven organizations to gather; and meet the rigorous LBC requirements for materials, equity, and beauty.
To achieve this vision, several new spaces had to be created. Additional open and collaborative workspaces, conference rooms, materials labs, makerspace, kitchen, wellness room, parent room, and locker rooms were all built out within the 34,000 sf office. Flexible spaces make room for team collaboration and for hosting events. The materials lab and makerspace invite creativity and exploration. The wellness and parent rooms offer quiet respite. These were all designed and built with a focus on the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of employees.
A valuable part of both Mithun’s goals and of the LBC requirements was creating a healthy space for the employees and the environment. To meet those requirements, the team carefully selected materials, avoiding the LBC Red List of 19 harmful chemical classes that are detrimental to people’s health and the environment. This necessitated additional investigation, working with manufacturers to request their full list of product ingredients and sourcing details. Of nearly 1000 products considered, 724 approved products were chosen and installed. This was especially challenging in the height of the pandemic, amongst material shortages, increased materials costs, long lead times, and carefully phased work, but the team worked together to make it happen.
Keeping it local, regionally sourced materials included concrete countertops, Appleply casework, and felt drum light fixtures. Additional sustainable choices installed were FSC certified wood, water-based wood finishes with low VOCs, carpet with carbon-negative backing, improved high-efficiency lighting, and the use of existing materials wherever possible.
Contributing to all three of the LBC petals, several hand-crafted elements invested in reusing materials, working with the local community, and enriching the space through art. The reception desk is crafted from mass timber wood salvaged during the demolition of the historic Seattle Curtain Manufacturing Company nearby, weaving local history and character into the entrance area. Even leftover pieces of timber were used to make small tables for the library. Native American glass artist and Seattle resident, Preston Singletary, and fellow native artist, David Franklin, were commissioned for a glass installation, which features salmon appearing to glide through the space. There are even pieces handcrafted by Mithun’s own designers—a half-log and steel table in the reception area crafted from a wind-fallen tree, and a soothing textile art installation for the wellness room. At every turn there is more art, more story, more history to be found.
The final product is a refreshed and refreshing office, incorporating abundant natural light, breezes from Elliott Bay, and expansive views of the Puget Sound and the mountains beyond, for the benefit and wellness of everyone working in or visiting this thoughtful and inviting space.
If you’re interested in investigating wellness and sustainability options for your next project, we’d love to help. You can reach us here.
Read more about the Mithun Pier 56 Office project here.
Learn more about the Living Building Challenge process and details in their case study.
Photography by Kevin Scott.