Sustainable Design

Hart Crowser’s goal is to minimize the short- and long-term adverse environmental impacts of development. Our design philosophy emphasizes resource conservation, recycling, waste minimization, and the use of energy efficient and ecologically responsible materials and techniques. We seek environmentally responsible clients who realize that there are significant benefits to be gained through sustainable work. These benefits include better facility performance, lower operating costs, improved public image, and a cleaner world.

Our sustainable design projects include:

Reuse of 250,000 Cubic Yards of Soil for Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle, WA

We recommended the use of fill from the nearby WaMu Building excavation for the Seattle Art Museum Olympic Sculpture Park development. This greatly reduced the amount of trucking required, eliminated off-site disposal of the excavated “waste” soil, and eliminated the need to disturb an off-site quarry.

Geothermal Heating at the 2301 Sixth Avenue Building, Seattle, WA

We advised the architect and mechanical engineer on test drilling to support potential geothermal heating.

Cannon Gold Mine Wetland Habitat, Wenatchee, WA

We created wetland habitat for passive treatment of drainage from mine tailings. The wetland habitat, which is self-sustaining, protects local surface water and groundwater quality. The design eliminated the need for an energy-consuming treatment system that would require ongoing maintenance with associated sludge disposal.

Reuse of Recycled Glass as Drainage Fill Behind Subgrade Walls for the Sierra Suites Hotel, Bellevue, WA

As the project geotechnical engineer, we evaluated and approved a sustainable design approach that used 850 tons of crushed, recycled glass as drainage fill behind the subgrade walls.

Kitsap SEED (Sustainable Energy and Economic Development) Building, Bremerton, WA

This new building will be LEED platinum. Hart Crowser’s services included geotechnical evaluation of the suitability of construction on a former landfill. This type of brownfield development takes the pressure off of undeveloped, open land, and both improves and protects the environment.

Golf Club at Newcastle, Former Solid Waste Landfill and Coal Mine Reclamation, Newcastle, WA

Hart Crowser provided geotechnical engineering design for reclamation of abandoned coal mines and a solid waste landfill. Now a club with two 18-hole golf courses, the property is a successful example of brownfield redevelopment.

“Green” Retaining Structures for East of Rose Lake Project, Kellogg, ID

We designed a bank stabilization project using "green" retaining structures to limit long-term erosion damage and improve existing natural habitat.

Drainage Water Recycling, King County Building, Seattle, WA

Hart Crowser evaluated the feasibility of using foundation drainage system water to provide water inside the building for flushing toilets. We evaluated water quality issues and design recommendations for sump construction and pumping.