Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Modernization Project

An American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Project

The Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building in the heart of Portland, Oregon, is an 18-story, 525,000 square foot facility that is home to more than 16 federal agencies and 1,200 federal employees.

The building was originally constructed in 1974 and underwent a major renovation between 2009 and 2013. Today the building is a cornerstone of GSA’s green building portfolio with all new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and data systems designed to make it one of the most energy efficient office buildings in the country. The work was completed by a team of Cutler Anderson Architects as the Design Excellence Architect, SERA Architects and Howard S. Wright Construction who were awarded the contract in 2010.

The newly-renovated Federal Building includes a number of efficient, sustainable and innovative technologies including:

• Solar thermal panels that will provide for 30% of the building’s domestic hot water;
• A 13,000 square foot solar roof that will produce 3% of the building’s electrical energy requirements annually;
• Modernized elevators that generate power as they descend;
• Unique shading devices on the south, west and east facades designed to respond to the sun conditions, maximize daylight and minimize solar heat gain during the summer;
• Energy efficient electric lighting systems with advanced controls that will reduce light energy usage by 40% compared to Oregon code;
• A 165,000 gallon cistern used to flush low-flow toilets and irrigate native landscaping;
• Energy efficient water fixtures, which in addition to rainwater reuse, will reduce overall water consumption by 60% compared to typical office buildings;
• A dedicated outside air system that provides 100% fresh air.

The operationally and economically efficient high-performance building is expected to achieve a 50 percent reduction in energy use compared to the old building and a 60 percent water reduction compared to Oregon code. The facility is designed to meet the Federal Guiding Principles for High Performing Green Buildings and the Obama Administration’s directives for agencies to lead by example in environmental, energy, and economic performance. Through these directives agencies are required to meet a range of energy, water, pollution, and waste reduction targets. Additionally, the facility is expected to achieve LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its use of cutting-edge sustainable design and technology.

The building is named after Congresswoman Edith Green, who represented Oregon’s Third Congressional District from 1955-1974, and Congressman Wendell Wyatt, who represented Oregon’s 1st congressional district from 1964-1975.

The building is home to several unique artworks including the exterior sculpture River Legend by Dimitri Hadzi commissioned in 1976 and a tapestry called Rumi’s Dance commissioned by Jack Youngerman in 1976. Two artists, Tim Bavington and Vera Lutter, were selected in accordance with GSA’s Art in Architecture program to create new original artwork for the modernized building. Mr. Bavington’s work, Louie, Louie is a wall-hung 3D elaboration of the artist’s vibrant, colorful, popular music-themed expressions. Ms. Lutter’s Untitled employs the artist’s site-based, camera-obscura technique to create a monumental film photo print.

The $139 million Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt modernization was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building modernization exemplifies the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act goals of creating jobs, spurring the economy, and constructing energy efficient federal facilities that deliver lasting progress toward building a more sustainable national infrastructure while reducing the federal government’s consumption of energy and water, and increasing the use of clean and renewable sources of energy. The project also reflects a commitment to the Portland community and environmentally positive development in a city promoting high-performing green buildings.

GSA was appropriated more than $5.5 billion under the Recovery Act to convert federal facilities into high-performance green buildings and construct energy-efficient federal buildings, courthouses, and land ports of entry. In addition to creating jobs, these projects are delivering lasting progress toward building a more sustainable national infrastructure while reducing the federal government’s consumption of energy and water, and increasing the use of clean and renewable sources of energy.

The Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt is one of 600 that the GSA owns or operates in the Pacific Northwest. The building is one of several federal office structures in downtown Portland and occupies a city block located in the city’s government district, in close proximity to City Hall, the City/County Justice Center, the County Courthouse, and the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse.

For more information, contact:
Christi Chidester, GSA Region 10 Public Affairs Officer
415-816-8512