Interface Engineering was the engineering firm responsible for Oregon Health and Science University’s (OHSU) LEED Platinum certification. The Center for Health and Healing was the first medical facility in the world to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s (LEED) highest honor, the Platinum Certification.

The most important component to any green building is something called integrated design. Principal of Interface Engineering, Andy Frichtl, defines it as, “bringing professionals together to create a solution that does multiple things.” Just about every feature in the Center for Health and Healing has multiple functions.

The south side of the building is covered in photovoltaic, or solar, panels. The panels provide shade as well as a source for renewable energy.

The building uses radiant floor heating in the lobby for heating and cooling. There is a source of groundwater beneath the building that’s pumped through the floor to provide the heating and cooling needs. The radiant slab also stores excess thermal energy produced by the combined heat and power unit.

A bioreactor treats the sewage into almost potable water. The water is reused for flushing toilets, irrigation for the rooftop gardens, and cooling. Rainwater is also harvested and reused.

As the world subtly shifts from a fossil fuel intensive society to a more conservative, environmentally friendly one, clean technology and smart designs become more important than ever. Buildings like OHSU are important success stories that showcase new functioning technology that reduces energy consumption, improves air quality, and is cheaper to build.