Narrative:
The central design challenge was to create and integrate a 22-acre development program at the intersection of the urban realm and the marine habitat, tripling the size of the existing convention district. Each environmental interface is carefully considered, roughly grouped into a landscape habitat, a marine habitat, and a human habitat. The project defines an urban district that is the focal point of the downtown waterfront in a city of intense civic involvement and environmental awareness.
Project parameters at the outset included the preservation of view corridors to the water from major downtown streets, which specifically dictate the angles of the roof perimeter and the public plaza. Salmon migration was also a key factor, since the migration path passes along the downtown shoreline. Salmon cannot pass through large unlit areas, requiring an artificial reef to guide migration around the perimeter of the foundation piers.
The building's LEED Platinum certification is the result of a vested commitment to examining opportunities for sustainable design at every phase of the process. That commitment encompassed all aspects of the design, from energy and water systems to integration with existing infrastructure to public-realm and aesthetic considerations.
Design & Innovation
source: http://www.aiatopten.org