Seattle's Tarugott Terrace Receives LEED Certification

The apartment complex provides recovering addicts with an eco-friendly, low-income housing.

January/February 2004
By Natural Home Staff 
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Traugott Terrace provides a clean start for Seattle’s lowest income population.
Photo Courtesy Seattle Office of Housing
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Positive change

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Sustainable materials and building techniques in the fifty-unit Traugott Terrace in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood garnered it the distinction of being the nation’s first low-income housing project to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The project serves extremely low-income and homeless individuals.

Place with purpose

The apartments, which include twelve units of ­transitional housing for the homeless, provide a supportive environment for those recovering from alcohol and drug addictions. Large windows, filtered air, and lots of natural light help residents feel healthy.

Good materials

While staying within strict budget constraints, the project used Forest Stewardship Council–certified wood; recycled-content carpet, siding, structural steel, and concrete; Energy Star–rated roof coating; low-flow plumbing fixtures; and an energy-saving, gearless traction elevator. The contractor recycled more than 75 percent of construction waste.

They said it couldn't be done

“It’s really incredible to hear Fortune 500 companies say they can’t afford green building, but low-income housing developers can,” says Lynne Barker, City of Seattle building ­specialist for the city of Seattle.

Super model

Traugott Terrace’s architect, Environmental Works, has established a green construction library. Environmental Works: (206) 329-8300

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