Group Health

Group Health Cooperative is a consumer-governed, nonprofit health care system based here in Seattle. They have committed to LEED© for Healthcare (LEED-HC) certification for two new or replacement medical clinics in Puyallup and Burien, which will be some of the first projects in the country to certify under this new LEED Rating System. They are targeting LEED-HC Gold certification.

The first project, the Puyallup Medical Center, is designed to achieve a 30% energy efficiency improvement and a 40% water use reduction over a similar baseline medical office building. To assure these performance goals the project is pursuing enhanced commissioning of the mechanical and ventilation systems; measurement and verification of the efficiency measures; and has committed to a minimum of 5 years post occupancy building energy and water usage data gathering. One innovative design approach has been the Lean Manufacturing method called the production preparation process, or 3P. Using this method, the team has streamlined how the health care team will deliver services in the clinic to enable a better patient experience and efficient and flexible workflow. There is a green roof with respite area for staff, and a separate respite area garden near the entrance for patients and visitors.

O’Brien & Company worked with the team to determine the right green building rating system for the project, and understand the decision to commit to LEED-HC Gold. The O’Brien team conducted a series of integrative process workshops starting with goal setting, then focused sessions on water, energy, and site. We developed a new set of model specifications for LEED-HC and facilitated discussions with the architect, contractor, and owner on the best approach to updating the architects specs for LEED-HC. We are work with the contractor to develop an approach for achieving the materials credits in LEED-HC. Additionally, O’Brien facilitated a session on alternative funding ideas for sustainability features. A key role O’Brien will play going forward is keeping the project teams at or above the LEED Gold threshold as they address the many complexities of implementing a whole new approach to clinics for Group Health.