Western Washington University to Begin Construction on Region’s First Carbon Net-Neutral Collegiate Facility

Western Washington University, located in Bellingham, Washington, will break ground in May on the region’s first carbon net-neutral collegiate facility, according to a report by 425Business magazine (4-27-23). When completed, Kaiser Borsari Hall will be four stories tall and 54,000 square feet.

The project targets zero-carbon and zero-energy certification through the International Living Future Institute in hopes of significantly advancing Western’s vision to become the region’s first carbon net-neutral university campus, a press release cited by 425Business said.

Mortenson, the contractor, will implement the Contractor’s Commitment guidelines for green building practices on the job site and beyond. Combining these efforts with a mass timber/CLT structure and designing to “smart building” standards aims to significantly reduce the environmental impact of this new facility from construction to operation.