ABSTRACT
The Oregon Sustainability Center was to be developed as a beacon for communities and organizations promoting sustainability in the Portland, Oregon, area. Design goals were set high: to achieve net zero energy use and net zero water use, with all wastewater managed on site. The design team further recognized a need to actively engage future occupants in keeping the energy use from equipment at a minimum. A net zero building designed to harvest on-site energy mainly from the roof is by definition limited in height. Once a direct relationship between the rentable floor area and the amount of predicted annual energy production was established, the design team looked for ways to decrease the energy demand while increasing the on-site energy production. After the energy equation was solved, the design team approached the next challenge: to achieve net zero water use and on-site wastewater management. Treated rainwater turned into potable water was to be supplied to sinks and showers.
