Oregon Health & Science University Center for Health & Healing

Key Project Information Project Title:Oregon Health & Science University Center for Health & Healing
Project Location:Portland, Oregon
Building Type: Medical offi ce high-rise, laboratories, educational spaces, surgery suites, parking, retail, swimming pool, 16-stories, 410,000 sq. ft. (38,000 sq. m.)
Total Project Cost: US$100 million (land excluded)
Capital Cost Savings: US$3.5 million projected
Occupancy: 600 staff, 4,500 visitors per week
Recognition Status: LEED for New Construction v2.1 Platinum
DOE Climate Zone: Zone 3 (4,500 HDD, 300 CDD)

Project Overview

Oregon Health & Science University Center for Health & Healing — Portland, Oregon

The Oregon Health & Science University project team leveraged synergistic relationships between building systems to “tunnel through the cost barrier” to greater operational savings and reduced capital costs. The complex building balances performance, occupant comfort, and civic responsibility, all at a decreased overall cost. Innovative and integrated systems were used throughout the following areas:

• Efficient building envelope
• “Right-sized” mechanical systems
• Green roofs
• On-site photovoltaics and solar thermal
• On-site sewage treatment
• Groundwater reclamation
• Building analysis tools
• Public amenities

Results

“The sun is going to shine, the wind is going to blow, [and] it’s going to rain. These are the things that are going to happen and you might as well take advantage of them.” —Kyle Anderson, AIA, Lead Designer, GDB ArchitectsBy using strategies such as return air plenums instead of ducts, pre-cooling the building at night, and reducing the size of air handling units based on the design of a more effi cient building envelope, the engineering team was able to reduce the capital MEP budget by US$4.5 million and realize a 61 percent energy savings (US$600,000 decrease in annual operating costs). Ownership of the on-site sewage treatment facility by a third-party vendor along with reduced municipal fees generated enough savings to make the rainwater/ groundwater system cost-neutral.