[MarkDaMan]

With Oregon Sustainability Center dead, Interface Engineering considers its own 'living building'
By Elliot Njus, The Oregonian
on October 22, 2012 at 5:07 PM, updated October 22, 2012 at 5:36 PM

http://www.oregonlive.com/front-porc..._river_default

With the proposed Oregon Sustainability Center apparently dead, a onetime potential partner in the project has proposed its own "living building" headquarters in Portland.

Interface Engineering, a Portland-based firm that specializes in green building design, said Monday it would seek proposals for a highly sustainable headquarters [PDF]. It wants a net-zero living building -- an ultra-efficient structure that generates more energy than it consumes.

Until this month, Mayor Sam Adams championed a similarly ultra-efficient building near Portland State University that would house city offices, non-profits and Oregon public university facilities.

Earlier this year, after the $62 million Oregon Sustainability Center lost the possibility of state funding, Interface emerged as a willing part-owner in a scaled-down project. But the firm's current lease expires in 2014, so it is looking to move into its new headquarters by September of that year.

"Our lease is up in less than two years," said Omid Nabipoor, the engineering firm's president. "We needed the project to go forward if it was going to go forward."

That timeline, given Adams' short remaining tenure in office, proved politically impossible, and Adams declared the project dead earlier this month.

Interface, however, remains interested in renovating an existing building or building a new one that meets the same efficiency goals. It's seeking proposals that meet the net-zero standards are highly preferred, but that it will also consider proposals that meet LEED Platinum certification standards.

Interface said it's open to leasing, but it's also seeking arrangements in which it would be the majority owner of the building. It currently leases 30,000 square feet in downtown Portland and says it would need room for future expansion.

Nabipoor said the company would use its headquarters as a laboratory and showroom for energy efficient systems.

"We believe we can do a sustainable building at sustainable rates. With us being in charge of the design and systems, we hope to get there," he said. "We're open to having skin in the game and equity because we believe in the project."

Nabipoor said the company is not seeking a city partnership, but its announcement noted support from the Portland Development Commission.

Interface has hired real estate firm NAI Norris, Beggs & Simpson to solicit proposals and manage the interview process.

–Elliot Njus