Officials from Benaroya Co. say the South Hill North Data Center in Puyallup is LEED gold certified, one of only a handful of data centers to earn this certification.
Larry Benaroya said the center uses only wind and hydroelectric power, and projects customers will save at least 35 percent on energy and maintenance costs. Benaroya Co. developed and owns the center.
Data centers house equipment for retailers, banks and other organizations with an online presence. Computer systems run nonstop, generating a lot of heat that could damage the equipment if the space is not cooled.
South Hill is one of the first data centers to use evaporative cooling without supplementing it with a refrigerated cooling system. The center takes advantage of the temperate climate here and uses outside air to cool the building.
Other green features include protecting indoor air quality by controlling dust and particulates. Low VOC materials and finishes are used throughout the center. When possible, materials contain recycled content and were sourced within 500 miles.
The center is housed in what was once a computer chip plant.
Benaroya is marketing the center for lease or sale. It has a 56,600-square-foot raised floor space. Another 70,000-square-foot space is also available as a built-to-suit or expansion.
The project team included ArchEcology, LEED consultant; Turner Construction, general contractor; McKinstry, mechanical engineer; Lane Coburn & Associates, electric engineer; Sequoia Electric, electrical contractor; PKJB Architectural Group; Quantum Consulting Engineers, structural; Barghausen Consulting Engineers, civil; Duffy Development and CDH Consulting, data center consultants; and Turner FMS, commissioning agents.