Green Building
 

As an Earth Advantage® Certified Builder, Seabold Construction Co., Inc. is at the forefront of Green and Sustainable construction practices and technologies; utilizing recommended materials and systems on a number of projects.  We have worked closely with the Portland Development Commission (PDC) and the City of Portland on their Green Building Initiative and incorporate many of their requirements into our projects. 

 

Esperanza Court, completed in 2008, received recognition from the Oregon Economic Development Department for utilizing brown fields -- vacant or underused commercial or industrial properties where known or suspected environmental contamination has created barriers to redevelopment. This project’s challenges included: 

  • Old dilapidated buildings, which were demolished and any useful construction materials were reused

  • The site had become an unsightly dumpsite for used appliances, tires, and general trash debris—these items were recycled where applicable and properly disposed

  • Petroleum products were encountered during excavation and were remediated out of the soil, then reclaimed

  •  Trees and wood debris were re-moved and recycled if applicable

  • Masonry items were reused where pertinent

  • Glue laminated beams were recycled into the building structure

 

In 2007 The Heritage Building renovation project was awarded the LEED® Gold Certification.  The project incorporated many green features such as:

  • Complete renovation of a historically significant building into environmentally responsible office spaces

  • Recycled 95% of all building material waste

  • Geothermal heating and cooling systems accomplished via water injection wells

  • Rain harvest system installed for all grey water use

  • Storm water management through-out the site; filtering ponds and injection drywell

  • Low-flow plumbing fixtures and controls

  • Use of all of the following:  recycled natural, non-toxic, lo embodied energy, low emitting and regional materials

  • Use of all of the following:  recycled natural, non-toxic, lo embodied energy, low emitting and regional materials

  • Educating of users and maintenance personnel on operations and waste management

 

The Clara Vista Town homes project completed in 2007 was the first residential LEED® project completed in the Western United States, and was awarded the Silver Certification.  This project incorporated a number of green features such as:

  • Pedestrian oriented streets and paths with easy access to public transportation--1-1 parking provided

  • Storm water management through natural drainage swales at both sites with trench drains at sidewalks

  • Low flow plumbing fixtures, controls, and water efficient appliances

  • Rainwater harvesting for site irrigation and/or community garden and tenant use

  • Energy efficient building systems to include: passive heating, hydronic heating systems, fans with timers and delays, day lighting. High windows with higher ceilings, high performance electric lighting and fixtures, and outdoor lighting controls

  • Renewable energy--solar hot water heating systems

  • Use of one or more of the following: long life, recycled and recyclable, natural, non-toxic low embodied energy, low emitting and regional building materials

  • Site protection during construction to control erosion and sedimentation, waste reduction, re-use, and re-cycling programs

  • New construction on an existing urban location with buildings sited to create community space

  • Building program is stacked to create greater open space for landscaping using native and low maintenance vegetation and trees on paths, courtyards, play areas, and a community garden

  • Educating users, maintenance personnel, and owners on operations and maintenance and waste management

Completed in May 2003 and recipient of the 2004 National Association of Home Builders Green Project of the Year Award, the Douglas Meadows apartment project in Southeast Portland has been one of our proudest achievements.  The owner, Human Solutions, Inc., and the architect, Robertson, Merryman and Barnes, as well as Seabold Construction made a commitment to Green building and maintenance construction on this project.  The following items were included:

  • Pervious paving Windows upgrade to “U” value of .32

  • Energy star appliancesInsulated hot water pipes

  • Algae block in roof shingles

  • Plywood boxcabinets using wheat board plywood

  • Medite composite trimsNatural flooringmaterials

  • Vented windows

  • Turbonic heating system and whole house ventilation

July of 2002 saw the completion of the Jose Arciga Apartments in Forest Grove and Cornelius, where we worked closely with Sustainable Communities Northwest to develop an affordable sustainable program.  This project was awarded the 2002 Governor’s Livability Award and included:

  • Landscaping and Storm Water Mitigation-Native and edible plants were used to reduce water use and create a source of food for residents.

  • Concrete and Flatwork­–Fly-ash

  • Rough Carpentry–Prefabricated panels, reduced lumber use, and met 90% of advanced framing goals.  ACQ pressure treated lumber was used on all exterior P/T applications. 

  • Windows and Insulation–Recycled content fiberglass batts (walls) and 100% recycled content blow-in fiber-glass insulation for attic areas.

  • Drywall and Paint–Knez drywall products with a minimum of 8% recycled content, were utilized. Interior paint included low toxic, low solvent, low VOC paints. 

  • Exterior paint used was Metro recycled paint.