Building Features

• Straw Bale Walls

We have the largest straw bale insulating walls of any commercial building in Oregon! Three stories used over 500 bales from a Junction City organic wheat farmer.  The wall was installed primarily by volunteers under the direction of the California Straw Bale Association (CASBA) and Day One Design. Earth plaster walls (using site soil) regulate humidity creating a comfortable, non-toxic office environment.

• Reused Materials

Environmentally friendly and artfully reused (up-cycled) materials include: siding, flooring, windows, doors, light fixtures, metal railings, and “urbanite” block walls in the landscaping. The stairs are off-cuts from a cross-laminated timber factory. The exterior plant screens were from reclaimed material. We would like to thank Bring Recycling for partnering with us on much of the materials. 

• Natural Light

Extra creative effort was made to bring in natural light and stretch it throughout the building, so people can thrive and be inspired.

• Water Catchment System

Rainwater collection is collected in a cistern that overflows to a stormwater planter along Shelton McMurphey Blvd, (this was actually one of the trickier elements of the building!) The 4000 gallon stainless steel water cistern was reclaimed from Texas oilfields. 

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Green Building Highlights

• 50 KW solar electric system. To see solar energy production in real time click HERE. 

• Central solar hot water with tankless gas backup heaters

• High efficiency dual fuel heating and cooling systems

• LED lighting

• Environmentally friendly finishes such as whey based floor finish and no-VOC paints

• Trout Friendly landscape, with bioswales to collect water runoff from parking lot

• Zero Waste reuse and recycling stream

• Indoor bike parking and shower

 

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Charitable Giving

All of the contractors associated with the building project made a contribution to the Willamette Farm and Food Coalition, a community nonprofit working to develop a secure, sustainable and inclusive food system in Lane County.