Vital Stats
| Certification Status | Petal Certified – Materials, Beauty, Equity |
| Version of LBC | 4.0 |
| Location | Seattle, WA |
| Project Area | 34,364 square feet |
| Start of Occupancy | September 2021 |
| Number of Occupants | 140 |
Project Team
| General Contractor | Abbot Construction |
| Architect | Mithun |
| Mechanical Contractor | MacDonald Miller |
| Electrical Contractor | Kemly Electric |
| Plumbing Contractor | MacDonald Miller |
| Interior Designer | Mithun |
| Structural Engineer | Coughlin Porter Lundeen |
| Certification Consultant | Materially Better |
Mithun, a design firm dedicated to fostering positive
change for people and communities, embarked on an
ambitious journey to enhance its own office space,
placing a strong emphasis on employee well-being.
Recognizing that many people spend the majority of
their waking hours in an office, creating a nurturing and
health-focused workspace became paramount. The
team sought to ensure the redesigned environment
would enhance the physical and emotional health of its
staff. Taping that valuable user resource, staff input
played a crucial role in the transformation, revealing the
need for innovative workplace features like all-gender
restrooms, a mother’s room, wellness spaces, and
private areas.
Additionally, there was a call for
improvements to more traditional elements such as the
reception experience, meeting rooms, collaborative
spaces, and multifunctional gathering areas.
Navigating the complexities of being their own client
presented both advantages and challenges. On one
hand, the firm’s day-to-day responsibilities required
prioritizing external client projects, often pushing internal needs to the side. On the other hand, the team had the unique flexibility to pause demolition and construction, allowing them to realign with their original project goals.
Weekly material review meetings became the backbone
of the project, extending throughout construction. Early
in these sessions, it became clear that 89 originally
specified products did not meet the stringent Red List
requirements, necessitating a search for suitable
alternatives. The review process was thorough,
involving 946 products with ultimately 724 products
installed, reflecting a significant effort to meet the Red
List.
This transformative experience not only underscored
the power that a strong team commitment can make to
successfully navigate challenges, but also illuminated
valuable lessons that would inform future projects. The
office renovation project demonstrates that with
determination and collaboration, even the most
ambitious goals are within reach.
Ultimately, Mithun affirmed their commitment to Petal certification, understanding that the benefits would not only enhance their interior environment but also eliminate harmful chemicals, fostering a healthier
workplace and ecosystem.
Product Selection & Material Reuse
Did the team use a new (or new to the team) product or material or assembly that helped meet the project’s certification goals that other projects should consider using? Was a material or product used in a novel way? Was a salvaged product used in a different way than originally intended that tells an interesting story? How did the team engage artisans, fabricators, or makers to support the local materials economy?
The Mithun office showcases a thoughtful blend of
material selection, salvaged materials, and collaboration with local artists, creating an inspiring and engaging environment.
One standout feature is the stunning four-piece glass
artwork by Preston Singletary, a renowned Native
American glass artist and lifelong Seattle resident. His
creations are displayed in prestigious institutions like the National Museum of the American Indian, SmithsonianInstitution in Washington, DC, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Ethnographic Museum in Stockholm, Sweden, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, and the British Museum in London. Mithun commissioned the installation, Return of the Salmon Spirit, specifically for their workspace. This art depicts salmon, symbolizing the rich heritage of the Tlingit culture and connecting deeply with the region’s natural beauty and office location on and above the water. This remarkable artwork warmly welcomes staff and visitors as they enter the office space.
The reception desk tells its own story, crafted from mass
timber wood salvaged during the demolition of the
Seattle Curtain Manufacturing Company, located at
12th Avenue and East Yesler Way. This piece adds a
layer of local history and character to the welcome area.
The cut off waste portions of timber were used to create
table bases in the Library space. Additionally, the reception area features a striking timber-half log and steel table, meticulously designed and handcrafted by Mithun partner Brendan Connolly. The wood used for this table comes from a Hemlock tree that fell during a windstorm on the IslandWood site, a project that Mithun undertook in 1998 on Bainbridge Island.
In the newly designed wellness room—a tranquil space
for quiet reflection and rejuvenation—resides another staff handmade art piece by associate principal Greg Catron. His artwork, crafted from deeply saturated and
soothing felt textiles, enhances the calming atmosphere, making it a perfect retreat for employees seeking a moment of peace. Together, these elements reflect Mithun’s commitment to engagement and artistic expression, enriching the overall experience of the workspace for all.
Lessons Learned
Are there discussions the project team would have initiated at a different time in the process? Are there processes or documents the team wished they had implemented during construction to help with certification compliance? What worked well in the team’s design process that other teams should consider implementing?
Every completed project often reveals invaluable
lessons, and this office renovation aimed at achieving
Living Building Challenge Petal certification is no
exception. This initiative yielded rich insights that will
shape future endeavors.
A pivotable takeaway was the significance of adopting
an integrated design process from the very beginning.
This foundational approach enabled the team to
incorporate the decision to pursue Petal certification
late in the design phase.
The project team engaged in a series of internal
workshops, seminars, and discussions to delve into the
design potential and possibilities for people, place, and
time. This exploration framework offers the opportunity
to dream boldly about key themes such as sustainability, biophilia, community, stories and history, equity, ecology, health, water, resources, energy,
services, embodied carbon, project certifications, and
the future. Ultimately, a project transcends its physical
attributes when it fosters a connection to something
larger than itself, embodying a spirit or relationship that
resonates with its surroundings.
Without a solid integrated design foundation, teams
confronted with late-stage changes are more likely to dismiss new ideas as impractical. In contrast, a well-
established foundation empowers teams to pivot toward innovative solutions, shows ambitious project goals as possible, and reinforces a culture of resilience and creativity.
Another crucial lesson is to embrace the material review
and vetting process in relation to the Red List. The
team found out that 89 originally specified products did
not meet the stringent Red List requirements,
necessitating substitutions. While this revelation was
initially disheartening, the integrated design process
helped to mitigate the potential scope of required changes. Accepting this challenge with a proactive
mindset opened the door to unexpected discoveries,
including option improvements for the bathroom tiles
and faucets. Notably, the team identified a new
downlight fixture that not only served as a suitable
substitute but was also favored over the original design,
leading to its incorporation into subsequent projects.
In summary, this renovation project highlights that a
dedicated, experienced team can navigate challenges
with agility and innovation, transforming obstacles into
opportunities for growth and improvement. The lessons
learned will inform and inspire future projects, fostering
a continuous commitment to design advancement for
positive change.
