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Mithun & the Environment - An Interview with Bert Gregory

Bert Gregory is President & CEO of Mithun, a Seattle-based architecture, design and planning firm and a national leader in resource sensitive and sustainable design. Earth Share of Washington (ESW) recently interviewed Mr. Gregory about the present status of sustainable design, it's future direction, and Mithun's role in shepherding this fast-growing movement.

Mithun is probably best known for its design of the REI stores and IslandWood, the innovative environmental learning center on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Bert served as design team leader for both of those projects. He is currently the design leader for Lloyd Crossing, a cutting-edge sustainable urban design plan for 35 blocks in Portlandçs city center; Jackson, Wyomingçs Teton Science School; and the Seattle Monorail Projectçs West Seattle stations. Bert's national impact in design leadership has been noted by the AIA, the International Interior Design Association, and CoreNet Global, which honored the firm with the 2003 Sustainable Design Leadership Award. He speaks frequently around the country on sustainable building and design.

For more information, please visit the Mithun website: www.mithun.com

ESW: What are the defining characteristics of environmental or "green" design?

BG: We look at designing buildings, landscapes and communities to reduce their impact on natural systems and, ultimately, to enhance or improve the quality of the surrounding air, water, and habitat. We know that we are capable of reducing the environmental impact of all new construction. With selected projects, we at Mithun are exploring the design of environments that can produce more energy than they use, recycle and clean water beyond the level of the local municipality, and/or create new habitat on or off site. There are many technical strategies and financial mechanisms available to reach these goals, but the basic principles remain the same. Reduce demand, move to positive impact, and integrate with natural systems are fundamentals we strive to follow.

ESW: How did Mithun get involved with environmentally sensitive design?

BG: In the 70s we had a strong practice in passive solar homes. Even then, we shared a core value that focused on smart energy use, site planning that was sensitive to the surrounding environment, and maximizing the use of natural light. In 1993 Recreational Equipment Inc. [REI] asked Mithun to help them design their new flagship store in Seattle. In a survey commissioned by the cooperative, the members told us they wanted the store to be resource efficient, keep items out of the waste stream, and use recycled content materials. Our work with this client and with our partners and suppliers helped drive environmental sensitivity deeper into this industry and advanced our own commitment to sustainable design. Since then, our education has accelerated.

Since REI, we have received many commissions from people with similar values. These have been the catalyst for us to expand the knowledge base in our organization. That's one of the reasons that we have more than 45 architects, landscape architects, urban designers, and interior designers who are U.S. Green Building Council LEED accredited.

ESW: Where in the Puget Sound area can our readers see an example of one of Mithun's "green" projects?

BG: In addition to the REI Flagship store that is located just North of downtown Seattle, one of our favorite projects is IslandWood, an environmental learning center on Bainbridge Island that is visited by more than 4,000 children each year. Others include the University of Washington student housing at Nordheim Court, Epler Hall at Portland State University, Yesler Community Center (under construction) and the new Woodland Park Zoo Family Science Learning Center which will begin construction in 2005. The Highpoint community redevelopment in West Seattle, now under construction, includes a state-of-the-art integrated natural storm water drainage and planning system that will help to protect the water quality of Longfellow Creek. Finally, one can stop by our offices on Pier 56 on Seattle's waterfront, and we can show you a naturally ventilated office environment, with no air conditioning.

ESW: How can we make green building more mainstream?

BG: We can make green building more mainstream by making the business case in the private sector, and helping drive consumer demand through education. Mithun's studies for commercial real estate groups have helped demonstrate the long-term economic value of these buildings. It is important, however, for all of us to help create HOV lanes for people on the for-profit side to travel this path. We need to help leaders make more, not less, money by using sustainable design approaches and thus promote the power of the marketplace to drive positive change.

In the public sector, we need to keep stewardship for the future generation high on elected officials' lists, and remind them that economic development in the future will depend greatly on efficient use of scarce resources. The regions that have the lowest resource costs, and even have resources that are available, might just win.

ESW: What sustainable design and building trends are worth watching in the years to come and why?

BG: In terms of building design, we will see building form responding to sun and thermodynamic flow. Many Mithun projects are now designed using advanced computational fluid dynamic modeling, which helps us create buildings with natural cooling and no air conditioning. Our own office was designed this way.

A second major trend is the de-centralization of electrical power, storm water and waste water systems into mini-systems. In the last century, power and water systems were designed on the "grand" scale, which often does not maximize synergies and efficiencies. For instance, we don't recycle our water in Seattle, which is pretty easy to do at a building or campus level and can have surprising economic benefit. Combining individual buildings into broader localized neighborhood or campus systems to maximize environmental benefit will become more commonplace.

A third trend will be the creation of buildings and communities which have as a goal, to give more then they take away from the environment.

ESW: We've talked a lot about commercial projects and the direction of the industry, but what suggestions would you offer our readers for a "green" home improvement project?

BG: Mithun recently designed the Puget Sound Energy Built Green™ Idea House in the Issaquah Highlands, which incorporates many strategies for homeowners. The goal of that project was to educate builders, designers and consumers on marketable sustainable strategies for single-family homes. Surveys conducted with a select group of visitors who were planning to purchase a house within the next two years showed a preference among buyers to invest money in sustainable features that enhance indoor air quality, reduce monthly expenses, and reduce long-term maintenance.

Some of the first steps for general home improvement include tightening the building envelope through the use of high performance windows, insulation, and sealing air leaks; installing whole house fans to provide good air change; using non-toxic paints, glues, and finishes; installing water-smart landscapes and eliminating the use of pesticides & chemicals; using recycled content materials; buying green power; and increasing energy performance of appliances and equipment in the home. There are many additional strategies and ideas discussed on the Web. Here are some of our favorite sites:

Environmental Home Center
BuiltGreen (This site includes many ideas and checklists.)
Northwest EcoBuilding Guild
City of Seattle - Green home remodel (This is an excellent site for those interested in green home remodeling.)