EEI was consulted for the construction and enhancement of the Seattle Convention Center, also known as the Summit building, which represents a significant advancement in the convention center and urban development industries. The Summit building was intentionally designed to provide a unique and transformative experience for both delegates and residents.
Project Scope:
The Summit building is in the heart of downtown Seattle, just one block northeast of the existing facility. It features a vertical design, making it one of North America’s rare high-rise convention centers. This $2 billion addition to Seattle’s downtown area was designed to meet the evolving needs of modern events and conventions while integrating seamlessly with the city’s urban core.
The Summit building significantly expanded the Seattle Convention Center, nearly doubling its total capacity by adding 573,770 square feet of event space. The full campus, including the original Arch building, covers 1.5 million square feet.
Our Solution:
Key features of the Summit building include exhibit space, meeting rooms, ballroom, lobby space, and a garden terrace. The ballroom on Level 5 features a 120 foot by 61-foot window offering views of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood and the Cascade Range. The building’s design embraces natural light, with major spaces connected vertically by two large atriums. The glass enclosed stair “Hillclimb” along Pine Street provides west-facing views of Pike Place Market and Puget Sound. Open- air terraces on all levels were designed to accommodate various events and offer iconic views of the downtown Seattle experience.
The construction approach chosen by EEI is known as a “billboard” style, in which portions of the building are built in sequence. This style of construction added challenges to systems start and completion as some systems were not designed accordingly. Collaborative planning and scheduling by the EEI commissioning team helped pave the way for a successful startup, testing, and turnover process.
Results:
The Summit building was awarded LEED Platinum certification. Several sustainable features contributed to the LEED Platinum certification, such as the reclaimed wood from a previous building on the site that was repurposed for railings throughout the new structure, the rainwater capture system created for landscaping irrigation and toilet flushing, and the hybrid radiant heating and cooling system implemented in the lobby and pre-function areas.
The LEED Platinum certification demonstrates Seattle’s commitment to sustainability and positions the city as a leading, environmentally-conscious meetings destination. This achievement builds on the Seattle Convention Center’s existing LEED certifications for its other buildings, further solidifying its reputation for environmental stewardship in the events industry.
