by Ross A. Leventhal

The sixth annual EnvironDesign conference brought 1200 people to Seattle, a fitting venue for a conversation on sustainability. The city now has over $1 billion of new construction in progress expected to receive a "green building" certification. Regional neighbors Vancouver, British Columbia and Portland, Oregon also stand out as leading cities in this movement.

The four-day EnvironDesign6, in April, 2002, featured workshops, panel discussions, keynote speeches, tours of green buildings, an art exhibit, and a fashion show in which "chic" was defined in terms of respect for workers and the natural environment.

Making It Green

The AIA Seattle Committee on the Environment (COTE), one of the conference sponsors, presented their annual "What Makes It Green?" panel and exhibit, featuring 26 projects from around the northwest United States. The five panelists supplying commentary were Paul Ansneuw, of Keen Engineering, Paul Olson of Jones and Jones, Lucia Athens and Amanda Sturgeon from the City of Seattle, and Bill Reed of Natural Logic, Incorporated.   >>>

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The Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium's new Animal Health Care Facility designed by the architecture firm Boxwood was one of 26 projects in AIA Seattle's "What Makes It Green?" exhibit. Image: Boxwood Boxwood's Animal Health Care Facility features a green roof and natural light and ventilation. Image: Boxwood   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.