Seattle’s Pine + Minor Apartment Building Receives LEED® for Homes Platinum Certification

Seattle, WA, April 01, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Howard S. Wright, a Balfour Beatty company, announced that the Pine + Minor apartment building in Seattle, Washington, received a LEED® for Homes Platinum Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The $19.4 million, 89,800 square foot urban mixed-use project includes 120 residential units, 3,000 square feet of retail space, a 28-stall parking garage, and a secure bicycle storage room.

Many innovative, eco-friendly design solutions were incorporated into the project such as a high efficiency façade (glazing, insulation) with vertical shades on west façade and a real-time, web-based energy monitoring system.

In partnership with the project owner, Gerding Edlen, Howard S. Wright achieved LEED® Platinum status by implementing sustainable construction solutions that ultimately led to diverting 96.9% of construction waste from landfills.

“I’m proud of our team’s efforts to develop sustainable solutions that meet the project owner’s goal of attaining the highest level of LEED certification,” said Dan Peyovich, division president for Howard S. Wright. “It’s a testament to our desire to drive sustainability within the construction industry as a whole.”

Sustainable solutions implemented on the Pine + Minor project include:

· Structural wood walls panelized off-site to minimize on-site construction waste and expedite schedule
· More than 90% of domestic water distribution piping changed to PEX in lieu of PVC
· Required FSC certified wood on all wood products (except wall framing materials)
· Held onsite training for all on-site workers to meet energy efficiency goals and requirements for the project

In addition, site specific environmental factors were considered when designing the building’s sustainable features. The integration of a high efficiency west façade addresses solar heat gain and is “a great example of how the building was created to respond to specific site conditions,” stated Renee Loveland, Director of Sustainability for Gerding Edlen. Other sustainable design solutions included to fit the eco-friendly lifestyle of residents were:

· Energy efficient lighting design with occupancy sensors in the parking garage and stairwells
· Environmentally responsible materials such as: recycled quartz countertops, green-label plus certified carpet, Greenguard certified and Cradle to Grave certified in-unit roller shades, and recycled content vinyl plank flooring
· Low-flow fixtures including dual-flush toilets for increased water efficiency
· Secure bicycle storage and repair room
· Green roofs on lower terrace and accessible roof deck
· Nontoxic paints, adhesives, and sealants

The Pine + Minor project team consisted of Howard S. Wright, general contractor; Gerding Edlen, owner; and Perkins + Will, architect.

About Howard S. Wright
With over 128 years in business, Howard S. Wright provides preconstruction, general contracting, design-build and construction management services for clients in the public and private sector. Operating out of offices on the West Coast, the company serves numerous market sectors including public agency, healthcare, commercial office, mission critical, education, and multi-family housing. Howard S. Wright is a leader in sustainable building with over $1.8 billion in completed LEED projects. The company has successfully delivered construction management and general contracting services for 10 Fortune 100 Companies. In June of 2011, Howard S. Wright joined the Balfour Beatty Construction family of companies. For more information about Howard S. Wright, visit howardswright.com.

About Balfour Beatty Construction
An industry leader for more than 80 years, Balfour Beatty Construction Services US provides general contracting, at-risk construction management, and design-build services for a wide variety of markets, serving clients in both the public and private sector. With more than 3,000 employees across the U.S., the company has been cited as a Top 10 Domestic Building Contractor and Top 10 Green Builder by Engineering News-Record. The company is part of London-based Balfour Beatty plc, a global infrastructure services business operating in more than 80 countries, with a worldwide commitment to providing assets that help societies function, develop, and thrive. To learn more about the company, visit www.balfourbeattyus.com or look for BalfourBeattyUS on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About Gerding Edlen
Gerding Edlen is considered one of the nation's leading, full-service real estate investment, development, and property management firms. Recognized for its experience in sustainable development and renewable energy, Gerding Edlen is committed to creating vibrant communities and high quality assets that ensure enduring value. Since 1996, Gerding Edlen has developed or redeveloped more than 60 green projects, totaling over $5 billion in real estate value throughout the Western United States.