Oregon’s Growin’ Up Green: A Tale of Sustainable Building Practices
It’s the early morning summer mist rolling off the Columbia River Gorge, the rustling of tall Douglas firs in the embrace of the Willamette Valley, it’s Hood’s snowy crown etched against cloudless blue – that’s what make Oregon special. But it’s Oregon’s commitment to sustainable building practices that wraps it all together. Let’s ramble through the pathways Oregon took to become a national leader in this here green construction movement.
##Dedicating to the Future in the Days of Yore
Oregon has a reputation for being a bit eco-left of mainstream, ask anyone who’s ever visited a Saturday market in Eugene or spent a rainy afternoon browsing Powell’s City of Books in Portland. This trait isn’t new. Back in the day when flannel was more than a just hipster craze, Oregon was developing its love for sustainable building. Think back to the late 1970s, when a group of University of Oregon architecture students helped construct the co-housing eco-villages of Columbia Ecovillage and Trillium Hollow. Such innovative concepts set the groundwork (pun intended) for the green building revolution.
##A Reputation for Green Building Is Born
Fast forward to the late 90s. As the rest-of-the-country was just beginning to dip a toe into green building, Oregon was already waist-deep and wading further. In 1997, Portland established its Green Building Initiative. This innovative program helps business folks shift toward the sustainable. Add the Forest Stewardship Council, headquartered in Lane County, renowned for ensuring timber is harvested sustainably, and it’s clear that Oregon was laying solid groundwork for green building.
##LEED Pioneers
You may have heard of LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It’s the crème de la crème of green building certifications and Oregon has been a leader from the get-go. With the LEED Platinum-rated OHSU Centre for Health and Healing B and Vestas American Wind Technology headquarters gracing Portland skies, it’s no wonder Oregon has held a place in the USGBC’s top-10 LEED states year after year.
##Pathfinders Lead the Way
Oregonians have a natural tendency to trail blaze, whether it’s riding mountain bikes down the McKenzie River Trail or crafting innovative eco-buildings. Do you know, Oregon is home to one of the world’s greenest buildings? This Portland-based ‘Living Building’ is named – drumroll, please – the Bullitt Center. Living Buildings go beyond merely “net zero” – they’re designed to be self-sufficient and to give more back to the environment than they take. Now how ’bout them apples?
##Eco-Conscious Dwellings
But hey, it’s not all about shiny skyscrapers, or being so green it’s cool. From the solar-paneled rooftops sprinkled throughout sunny Bend to the eco-houses tucked away in coastal Tillamook, Oregon’s residential sector is also walking the green walk. Many a home builder in Oregon, like Green Hammer and Hammer & Hand, are committed to minimize environmental footprints. They make efficient use of resources and create homes where the air is cleaner, water usage is smart, and energy bills don’t make you sweat bullets.
##Sustainability, The Oregon Way
Life here is about more than just surviving the grey rainy months and hoping for a Trail Blazers win. It’s about co-existing with our stunning coastline, our wild rivers, and our lush forests. It’s about sipping on a locally brewed kombucha and knowing that your carbon footprint doesn’t weigh heavy on mother Earth. This way of life naturally extends to the buildings we call home and the places we work. Sustainability has become an Oregon habit, as natural as ordering a Stumptown coffee or moaning about how the Pearl District has changed.
###The End of One Trail, the Start of Another
Oregon’s transformation into a leader in sustainable building practices isn’t an overnight-done deal. In Oregon, environmentally sensitive building designs have journeyed from alternative to mainstream. Just like the breathtaking trails of the Columbia Gorge or the iconic Crater Lake, Oregon’s green building practices reflect a timeless appreciation for natural beauty, health and resilience. It isn’t a fad, or an accessory, it is simply the Oregon way.
Our story here is only a snapshot of how Oregon has grown into a green building champion. Every home, every steel-and-glass edifice sprouting skyward, is contributing to a greener future. Beneath the shadow of Mt. Hood or beside the cool Pacific surf, Oregon’s green building tale continues. Come be part of it!