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Swinerton Celebrates Northlake Commons as Office Development of the Year at NAIOP Award Ceremony
On November 1, the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Bellevue transformed into a sea of excitement and black-tie elegance for NAIOP Washington’s Night of the Stars. The annual awards ceremony celebrates the finest in real estate development and project innovation throughout Washington state. Developers, architects, builders, and industry leaders come together to honor standout achievements across 15 categories.
Swinerton had projects nominated in two award categories: Northlake Commons for Office Development of the Year and Swinerton’s Office Buildout as Office Interior of the Year. In an exciting win, Northlake Commons received the Award for 2024 Office Development of the Year!
“Congratulations to the project team and our partners for delivering a building that will serve the community for years to come,” says Swinerton Operations Manager Thomas Stearns. “We are honored to be recognized by NAIOP Washington for the team’s efforts in bringing this remarkable project to life.”
Northlake Commons: A Harbor of Innovation & Sustainability
Nestled in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, Northlake Commons is a blend of industrial heritage and modern sustainability, embodying durability and eco-consciousness. Its recent LEED® Platinum certification reinforces its environmental commitment. Built with mass timber columns, beams and cross-laminated timber (CLT), at 275,000 square feet, the building is one the largest lab-ready office buildings in the U.S. Collaboration with Timberlab, a Swinerton affiliate, enabled a mindful selection of timber materials that age gracefully and also reinforce the building’s focus on health and warmth for its occupants and visitors alike.
The building integrates advanced green building techniques, with landscape improvements and efficient irrigation systems saving over 400,000 gallons of water annually—an impressive 81% improvement over standard buildings. Additionally, the building’s low-flow fixtures conserve 317,000 gallons per year, which is 46% better than the typical commercial space. Beyond water savings, Northlake Commons optimized energy efficiency, conserving over 438,000
kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, representing a 27% reduction compared to traditional buildings. Sustainability guided every phase of the project: a remarkable 96% of waste generated during demolition and construction was recycled, another nod to Northlake Commons’ dedication to minimizing its environmental footprint while creating a lasting resource for the community.
The exterior landscaping and bioswale enhance local ecology and water quality. Designed to handle and filter stormwater runoff, the bioswale cleanses an estimated 2.6 million gallons of water each year before it flows into Lake Union, supporting the Clean Lake Union initiative. These features, along with enhanced access to the Burke-Gilman Trail, provide amenities for walkers, runners and bikers, enriching the surrounding neighborhood and contributing to the health and sustainability of the entire region.
Interested in learning more about Northlake Commons’ sustainable features? Reach out to our Seattle team to discover how mass timber and other innovative features can reduce your next project’s environmental impact.
Mass Timber Hospital The Future of Healthcare
Discover the latest research on sustainable and resilient mass timber hospital construction
Mass timber has been revolutionizing the way we build with its low environmental impact and structural versatility. While its benefits have been well documented in office buildings, residential developments, and education facilities, limited research on the cost, constructability, and performance of mass timber in sensitive healthcare environments has largely impeded the usage of mass timber in hospitals and other acute care settings.
Swinerton and ZGF Architects, alongside a team of industry-leading technical consultants, conducted an in-depth study to address the challenges and opportunities of using mass timber in hospital settings. This proof-of-concept report offers insights into overcoming barriers to mass timber construction, implementing solutions, and unlocking the full potential of mass timber in healthcare construction.
What You Will Learn:
- Key challenges and solutions for mass timber in healthcare settings
- Strategies for successful implementation in acute care environments
- Cost and schedule benefits compared to traditional construction
- Guidance from top experts in architecture, construction, and sustainability
Partner Acknowledgment:
In collaboration with leading technical experts: ZGF Architects, Timberlab, Degenkolb, Arup, University of Oregon Institute for Health in the Built Environment, PeaceHealth, KPFF, Jensen Hughes, and Pierce McVey.