Verde at Esterra Park targets new LEED Zero Carbon certification

Verde at Esterra Park is targeting LEED Zero Carbon certification, a first among Runberg’s LEED-certified projects.

LEED Zero Carbon recognizes buildings or spaces operating with net zero carbon emissions from energy consumption and occupant transportation to carbon emissions avoided or offset over a period of 12 months. LEED Zero represents a new level of achievement in green building that is not just attainable but is the goal of LEED certified projects around the world, according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. For more than two decades, LEED has provided a framework for high performance buildings and spaces, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions through strategies impacting land, energy, transportation, water, waste and materials. Building on that work, USGBC has developed LEED Zero, a complement to LEED that verifies the achievement of net zero goals.

Runberg has designed several projects that have achieved the top-tiered LEED Platinum certification, including Sitka, Cypress, Batik, Orion, Cascade, Stack House Apartments and Supply Laundry Building.

Verde at Esterra Park is a 634-unit residential development located in the Overlake community of Redmond, WA. The property abuts a 2.6-acre park and offers easy access to the region’s largest employer and to public transit. The site’s challenging grade will be transformed into a celebrated feature, with unique stepping of the building masses mimicking the natural landforms and patterns of the Sammamish Valley. The project features 34,000 SF of outdoor amenity space, including two courtyards, two rooftop decks, and a central mews. Interior amenities include a collaborative working space and an on-premise bike shop.

Related: PSBJ: Final phase of $1.3B Redmond development will be carbon neutral