As one of the largest geo-exchange fields in the U.S., 900 wells almost as deep as the Space Needle contain water that absorbs the earth’s energy to heat and cool the buildings. The TEC houses various mechanical and electrical equipment, including chillers, cooling towers, solar panels, and storage tanks. Compared to traditional utility plants, the fully electric TEC can achieve a 50 percent energy reduction and eliminate the need for on-site fossil fuel consumption.
Coughlin Porter Lundeen coordinated the design to accommodate future maintenance needs. Their previously established relationships with NBBJ, GLY Construction, and Affiliated Engineers—the architect; general contractor; and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineer; respectively—allowed for smooth workflow while solving logistical challenges. Elevated floors support mechanical units weighing up to 80,000 lb. Removable floor panels and gantry beams allowed the units to be raised and lowered during installation.
“The equipment is supported by something that you could push down the building floor and roll it from one end of the building to the other end,” said Structural Associate Jason Whitney. “The overarching level of coordination was the most challenging part of designing the TEC. We coordinated with NBBJ, GLY Construction, and Affiliated Engineers to determine where to put the equipment. We thought about future maintenance and how people need to access heavy pieces of equipment.”
The logistics of maintaining equipment and the TEC’s geothermal power keep the future at the forefront of their minds. From diverting 95 percent of waste from landfills during construction to utilizing a renewable energy source, each design decision reflects the client’s carbon reduction goals. Microsoft aims for net-zero carbon and sets a revolutionary standard for corporate campuses to adopt greener practices—not for the future but for today.
Photography © Sean Airhart