The World’s Most Sustainable High-rise Apartment Building Breaks Ground in Seattle

Today Sustainable Living Innovations (SLI), a Seattle-based building technology company, announced the groundbreaking of 303 Battery, located in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. The building will be the world’s first multifamily tower to meet the net zero energy requirements set by the International Living Futures Institute (ILFI), the same organization that certified Seattle’s Bullitt Center. By using innovative new construction technology and the latest high-performance building design, 303 Battery will deliver the highest levels of energy efficiency. When completed, the building will feature 112 units, with 27 of those units designated as affordable.

“Our proprietary technology, construction process, sustainable materials and smart-living technologies give tenants a beautiful, comfortable home that produces no greenhouse gas emissions,” said Arlan Collins, CEO of Sustainable Living Innovations. “Even though we are announcing a groundbreaking, in reality, 85% of the walls, floors, stairs and elevators are already complete and in our Tacoma factory. 303 Battery sets a new standard for building well-designed and sustainable living spaces.”

Sustainable Living Innovations is building 303 Battery using the company’s proprietary, tech-enabled building technology system. The building includes approximately 900 panels, which are pre-manufactured with electrical wiring, plumbing, and mechanical equipment pre-installed. After the building’s subbasement and foundation are completed, the panels will be transported to the site for assembly. At the site, crews will erect the high-rise by fitting the panels together in a precise sequence. Ten primary panel types will be used in the construction of 303 Battery, with panels for walls, floors and ceilings of each room - living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, even specialized elevator panels. SLI panels are manufactured and assembled at its factory in Tacoma, Washington.

“The 303 building is a miracle of sustainability and SLI is showing that we can both address climate change and build up our economy,” said Washington Governor Jay Inslee. “This revolutionary approach to building is a homegrown innovation success story that will change the built environment across the nation.”

The sustainability features in 303 Battery include solar on the building’s roof, exterior walls and balconies; underfloor radiant heating in units; captured rainwater and reclaimed graywater; regenerative gear elevators, and daylight sensors to reduce power use throughout the building.

"Greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector are the second largest contributor to climate pollution, and our communities of color regularly bear the disproportionate brunt of its negative impact," said Mayor Jenny A. Durkan. "As a city we must do all we can to invest in innovative solutions that reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. The 303 Battery Building is on the leading edge of green design and construction, helping us to meet Seattle’s climate goals and create a healthier city, while also addressing our affordable housing crisis."

Because there is less on-site construction work required, 303 Battery will go up more quickly than a conventionally built building. 303 Battery will be finished and ready for occupancy in summer of 2022.

“It’s crucial to the region, and the planet, that we build back better and recover from COVID in an equitable way,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Projects like 303 Battery - that address climate while providing jobs - are key to our region’s future.”

Apartments for rent in 303 Battery will feature light-filled spacious design, floor-to-ceiling glass walls that open to private balconies in every unit, quiet acoustics, and top-tier smart home features such as app-controlled blinds, thermostats, lighting and locks.

SLI’s six story, 24-unit apartment building in Seattle’s University District (the 47+7 Apartments) has demonstrated a 70% reduction in energy usage and has received awards from organizations such as City of Seattle Urban Design People’s Choice Award, American Council of Engineering Companies and NAIOP of Washington Commercial Real Estate Development Association.

“303 Battery shows that even high-rise apartment buildings can seek the world’s most rigorous standard for net zero energy, the Living Building Challenge,” said Margaret Montgomery, board member of the International Living Future Institute and sustainable design leader at NBBJ. “By emphasizing energy efficiency, avoiding fossil fuels, and relying on solar power, the project will create a path for others to follow.”

303 Battery is pursuing Petal Certification, including zero energy, under the Living Building Challenge standard.

Sustainable Living Innovations is in the process of developing four additional multifamily properties in the city:

• Sacred Medicine House. In partnership with Chief Seattle Club and the City of Seattle’s Office of Housing, SLI will build a 120-unit permanent supportive housing project.
• DESC Greenlake. In partnership with the Downtown Emergency Service Center and the City of Seattle’s Office of Housing, SLI will build a 124-unit permanent supportive housing project.
• 615 Dexter. SLI will build an 18-story tower of 414 units, 219 of which will be restricted as affordable. The 615 Dexter project is part of a winning response to the City of Seattle’s Mercer Mega-block redevelopment effort.
• Yesler Terrace. After winning a competitive bid process with the Seattle Housing Authority, SLI will build a 22-story tower featuring 376 units, with 86 units affordable.

About Sustainable Living Innovations

Sustainable Living Innovations (SLI) is a building technology company revolutionizing the built environment by producing tech-enabled buildings that exceed the world’s most stringent sustainability standards and help solve the affordable housing crisis. The technology company manufactures compete tech-enabled buildings using proprietary, high-performance building panels. They are more sustainable, plus faster and less expensive to design and build than conventional buildings. SLI is changing how buildings are built and is disrupting the world’s largest addressable market. The company employs more than 60 people with offices in Seattle and Denver and operates a showroom in Seattle and a manufacturing facility in Tacoma, Washington.

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