New Normal for Sustainable Journey: The C Concourse Expansion at SEA Airport

The C Concourse’s expanded facility at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) would be the airport’s greenest constructing but, not solely creating a greater journey expertise but in addition setting a brand new customary for climate-conscious design and building. SEA is working with design companions Miller Hull and Woods Bagot, to renovate this concourse to combine every thing from all-electric methods and water conservation strategies to biophilic design — a testomony to our dedication to a greener future. You’ve in all probability seen the crane and building exercise, however we’re excited to point out you that behind the barricades, a very sustainable constructing is taking form.

Fossil fuel-free operations

A key characteristic of the C Concourse Expansion is its robust dedication to decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. The constructing’s heating, sizzling water, and even tenant cooking tools are powered by all-electric methods. This is made potential by air supply warmth pumps that deal with all heating and a lot of the cooling wants, together with the usage of electrochromic glazing on the primary window wall, eliminating the usage of pure gasoline and decreasing the airport’s operational carbon emissions. The warmth pumps have been put in, and their piping methods are up subsequent.  

Harnessing solar energy

The enlargement’s roof incorporates a photovoltaic (PV) array, a visual and highly effective image of the venture’s dedication to renewable power. These photo voltaic panels are anticipated to generate as much as 12% of the constructing’s annual power wants, serving to the ability meet total power effectivity and sustainability targets. The PV array panels are onsite and able to be put in.  

Connecting with nature  

The enlargement’s design is a tribute to the Pacific Northwest, with biophilic design creating a relaxing and pure atmosphere. This method is clear within the addition of an outside public lookout with airfield and Olympic Mountain views, and the usage of locally-sourced supplies, Forest Stewardship Council ( FSC)-certified wooden, and native stone for the terrazzo flooring. The glass is now put in within the public lookouts. In the approaching weeks, crews will pour the terrazzo flooring with a particular pea gravel combine utilizing native stone, and set up the wooden ceiling and tree centerpiece, bringing a pure really feel impressed by our area’s distinctive magnificence.  

Reusing and reimagining  

The C Concourse Expansion isn’t just a brand new construct; it’s a constructing renovation. The venture workforce made acutely aware design choices to reinforce the prevailing construction; including top and new slabs whereas additionally reusing 62% of the prevailing construction — due to this fact minimizing the embodied carbon funding of recent building.  

Water and waste discount

The venture incorporates a number of options designed to preserve our pure assets. Low-flow water fixtures will improve water effectivity and assist preserve potable water. To scale back stable waste from single-use plastics, the eating amenities will embody dishwashing capabilities for distributors and devoted storage websites for group meals donations. The deal with waste diversion has been a key effort, with the venture workforce focusing on a 75% building waste diversion fee by rigorously sorting and recycling constructing supplies like wooden, steel, and carpet fragments.

Pursuing LEED Gold certification

Initially focusing on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ( LEED) v4 Silver certification, the venture is now on monitor to realize LEED Gold certification. This is a big milestone for SEA, as it’s the first venture to use the Port’s Sustainable Evaluation Framework, an inner course of for making use of sustainable design to capital initiatives. The venture workforce, together with the venture’s fundamental contractor, Turner Construction, has exceeded preliminary sustainability targets,  together with  incorporating extra native supplies on the venture, decreasing the embodied carbon of sure concrete mixes, and using a sustainability guidelines for every product information submittal and each subcontractor to make sure all venture companions are aligned with the Port’s imaginative and prescient for a greener airport.

The completion of the C Concourse Expansion venture in mid-2026 is a big milestone, but it surely’s only one piece of the Port of Seattle’s broader imaginative and prescient. As the Port works towards its bold purpose of changing into the greenest Port in North America, the C Concourse Expansion units a brand new customary for sustainable infrastructure.

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